LIFE IS PRECIOUS COLLABORATION


A collaboration between unisex fashion brand Colder Shoulder,
creative studio O.W.H., and textile designer Gemma Kelson.



The London based collaboration explored the concept 'LIFE IS PRECIOUS' through three key themes.

Each theme considers the parallels of value between precious metals or gemstones, and human identity and expression. The interconnectedness of life and being.

The designs use geometric shapes, detailed textural patterns, painterly strokes and a distinctive typographical sense to convey layers of esoteric and material symmetry.

The designs are digitally printed in London, on a range of contemporary jersey tops, mostly in unisex styles. Fabrics used in the collection include silky soft and luxurious drape jerseys made from bamboo and organic cotton, and Tencel from Eucalyptus trees, one of the most environmentally friendly man-made cellulosic fibres available.

The themes explored are:
  1. DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
    Unique and valuable inner-potential; unearthed, shaped and polished.

  2. HEART OF GOLD
    State of pure being: 24-carat love.

  3. PEARLS OF WISDOM
    Word treasures to savour. Little things you say along the way.

We would like to hear from you... What is precious for you? What do the themes mean to you? What are your pearls of wisdom?
Get in touch and share via Twitter @ColderShoulder, Facebook or the Contact page.




DESIGN PARTNERS


O.W.H. Creative

O.W.H. Creative is a full service creative agency based at White Rabbit in Shoreditch. They offer services in design, photography, art direction, website builds and branding. Head to the website to request a press pack or talk about your project.
www.owhcreative.com


Gemma Kelson

Gemma Kelson is a freelance textile designer. She studied textiles design at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in print/surface pattern, before moving to London to work with the highly regarded Keeler Gordon textile design studio, undertaking commercial textile design briefs and creating samples for the high-street. She gained further insights into fashion and textile practices from editorial to styling and design with magazines and fashion houses, developing a grounding for her career. Since 2009 Gemma has undertaken freelance work in commercial design and production for women’s wear textiles, with well-known brands and leading e-tailers, such as ASOS and Figleaves.

Gemma's style of work tends to build on a collection of hand/illustrative drawings, with harder edged digital manipulations using Photoshop and Illustrator. She is inspired by geometric patterns, vintage markets, modernist art, nature and East London. Her work has a feminine but graphic edgy appeal. She loves digital print and the possibilities it provides textile artists. Gemma is keen to develop her own brand and a collection of digital work, alongside project and artwork commissions.
www.gemmakelson.com




PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM CREDITS

Photographer: 
Morten Odding www.mortenodding.com

Stylist: Lucy Harvey www.ethicalstylist.com @Ethical_Stylist

Film Direction / 1st Camera / Editing: Andrew Carver, Raindown - A visual production company specialising in web video, film and graphic design www.raindown.co.uk @Rain_down

Assistant Film Direction / 2nd Camera: Dave Russell www.dave-russell.co.uk

Music: "Contentious" by Touchy Subject www.soundcloud.com/touchysubject

Make-up: 
Misha Terrett www.mishaterrett.com

Hair Stylist: Dulcie Rowe Email

Assistant Coordinator: Annie Bailey

Stylist's Assistants: Charlie Divall www.charlottehannahdivall.blogspot.com @CDivall & Louise Burton www.louiseburtonkfp.blogspot.com @BurtonLouise

Models: 
 Alec Hill Email, Gemma Kelson, Kimika Sweeney Email, & Michael Adeyeye, The Eye Models www.theeyecasting.com

Location: Arthaus, London E8 - Art gallery, commercial & retail studios www.uniondevelopments.co.uk/arthaus

With thanks to:
Audrey & Jaime at GALERIE8, Jules at Foundation PR & Sales Agency, Bayo at The Eye Models, Keren at K.Brat, Lizzie at Antiform, KC at KC Lake Millinery, Jocelyn at Element 23 Agency, and Harriet & Georgie at H PR London





Kimika: Leather Jacket K.Brat, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH TYPO Cropped Top, Shulow Trousers £60 Komodo, Adira Shoes £145 Miista, Cuff Michelle Lowe-Holder

Alec: Reyes' Cardigan £115 Komodo, PEARLS OF WISDOM GRAPHIC Tee, Blue on Blue Leggings £120 Silver Flint, Boots Model's own

Micheal: Graphic Faux Fur Coat Stylist's own, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH GRAPHIC Tee, Black Jeans £60 Monkee Genes, Leather Army Boots £35 Beyond Retro

Gemma: Upcycled Contact Lens Foil Fascinator Stylist's own KC Lake Millinery, Killi Scarf £100 Komodo, PEARLS OF WISDOM MIX Vest, Leather Shorts £815 K.Brat, Naia Shoes £135 Miista




Kimika: Embellished Long Cardigan Haaning and Htoon, HEART OF GOLD TYPO Vest, Print Leggings £90 Stewart+Brown




Gemma: Jacket £75 Sika, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH MIX Cropped Top, Leggings in Tiedye Upcycled Jersey £30 Antiform, Ripley Shoes £125 Miista, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH Earrings

Alec: Bespoke Feather Mohawk KC Lake Millinery, HEART OF GOLD GRAPHIC Tee, Beeswax Coated Organic Cotton Trench Raffauf, Trousers & Boots Model's own




Micheal: Beeswax Coated Organic Cotton Anorak £250 Raffauf, PEARLS OF WISDOM TYPO Tee, Black Jeans £60 Monkee Genes