Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Age of Reason AW13 Photo Shoot

We recently shot our AW13 scarf look-book with London fashion photographer Claire Pepper who works in a bright attic studio in the East End.  The collection "Mutiny" has a defiant feel to it. Our designer Ali describes the essence of the collection: 

This season we celebrate rebellion, tipping the balance between anarchy and order. The collection marries sharp geometric lines with orderly stripes, juxtaposed against manic, chaotic drawing; furious scribbles and scrawls. There's too much obedience in the world. Rage against the routine, don't conform, and certainly never surrender your individuality! 



For the look-book shoot Ali worked with Claire on the idea of hiding the model in the silk and wool scarves. 

 I wanted to focus on the scarves over things like hair and make-up styling by shooting them in fun, fluid ways, which concealed Cecilia our model. The idea came from the punk tradition of using a scarf to hide your identity, combined with the image of a classic pantomime ghost.  (I'd have liked to have cut little holes in the scarves for Cecila's eyes but I don't think that would have gone down too well with my hard working seamstress! ) In a funny way hiding behind something like a scarf draws more attention to a person.  The pictures have a sense of humour and playfulness, which is really important to me. 

Ali 

Behind the scenes Claire  used a rather industrial looking fan to aid the movement of the silk and wool scarf collection. 




















Monday, 20 May 2013

Age of Reason gets inspired in Marrakech

Ali recently travelled to Marrakech to gain inspiration for the SS14 collection. If the photos are anything to go by, there was no shortage of inspiration.  She visited some of the old Palaces in the walled Medina and the Madrasa, an ancient Islamic college set around a large courtyard. 


I love the excitement of cities and this was my first trip to Marrakech so everything was new and surprising. One of the most striking things about the old Moroccan architecture in Marrakech's walled Medina or old town is the contrast between the narrow dusty streets and large dramatic spaces behind the earthen coloured walls.  There's a magical quality to stepping though a tiny wooden door to find a lavish space beyond.   Beautiful glazed tiles cover the courtyards of large buildings.  Tiled arches and marble floors offer cool respite from the blazing sun outside- the ultimate luxury in this hot climate. I was really inspired by the geometric patterns, something I haven't really investigated before. 

Ali 

 The Madrasa in Marrakech. Ali Mapletoft Age of Reason studios. 





 Monochrome tiles in the courtyard at Hotel Mamounia.

Ali does some sketching for the Age of Reason SS14 collection at Riad Dar Darmer. 






Wednesday, 15 May 2013

AW13 Press Day at IPR London

This April we showcased our Autumn Winter 2013 silk and wool scarf collection to press at IPR London's AW13 press day. The event was held over 2 days is their cavernous warehouse space near Liverpool Street, decked out with chic modern mirrored icebergs and merchandised to minimalist perfection.

  

We loved the simple meat-hook style display our scarves were hung on, which showed off the colours and the contrast between our silk pieces and new wool scarves. Press feedback was positive, with fashion journalists picking up on our Made in England credentials and the non-traditional feel of the brand. We're looking frward to seeing some of these pieces at Young British Designers in the autumn.

  







Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Marrakesh Research Trip Essentials by Ali


We're off this week on our SS14 design trip to Marrakesh to soak up a bit of Souk culture and sunshine.  I'm bringing my drawing kit of course (it is a research trip after all) but I've also packed some city essentials with an emphasis on chic cover-ups and sun care. This isn't a sponsored post by the way, just stuff I bought in shops and I'm  taking with me because it's genuinely useful.  

 

A good book is my number one item because all my collections are designed with a book in the background. AW12 and SS13 were influenced by Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell by Susanna Clarke and my travels around Africa. On this trip I'm reading The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowels, which may or may not turn out to influence the SS14 collection.

One of our SS13 straw visors will be my go to item to protect me from the rays while I explore and barter in the markets. I'm supplementing with Kiehls factor 50, I'm too white to be too careful.  And just in case some Paw Paw ointment for chapped, dry, in need of attention, bitten, scraped skin and lips. Whatever the issue slap some Paw Paw on it and job's a good-un.

My Ganni shirt, Alexa de Castilho necklace and Rock Optika sunnies will also be coming with me. I'm planning souk seeing, strolls around botanical gardens, museums from the customary riad blot hole.

If you've been to Marrakesh and been inspired I'd love to hear from you on Twitter.
 @AgeofRScarves 

Ali
 


Sunday, 28 April 2013

What to wear? Spring Summer Here we Come....

This SS13 Ali is going on a new style journey by teaming up with her friend and top image consultant Leesa Whisker to work on a Spring Summer wardrobe for work and everyday.  Below is Ali's mood-board for the season, which Leesa requires before the consultation and shopping can begin. 

 


I'm excited about working with Leesa but it all feels a bit grown up and bizarre. I've always been a sling it on and buy it kind of person. Having said that,  I hate throw away fashion and love quality and longevity in my clothes so I'm looking forward to finding my ideal shapes. These days I don't  have much time to shop so finding great clothes can be a problem. It feels like a step forward to ask an expert and be able to start saying "I know what shapes suit me now and I can invest in proper clothes." I'm also keen to buy some British labels. 

Ali  

Over the summer Ali will share some of the looks she and Leesa create,  as well as giving a little more insight into how the image consultation process works and why it's a valuable thing to spend time and money on. We also hope to involve Leesa in some scarf styling tutorials for The Boutique Gallery at Jaeger. 












Saturday, 20 April 2013

The Boutique Gallery Launch Party at Jaeger - SS13


This week has been a roller-coaster of innovative canapes, air kissing and cooing over very fine things, with our press day at IPR, meetings all over London and a buzzing launch party for The Boutique Gallery at Jaeger. Here are a few snaps of us and various Boutique Gallery guests including Laura Bailey, Daisy Lowe, the lovely Lara Bohinc, Laura Jackson, Becky Tong and Monica Beatrice of the Elgin Avenue. We also spied press representatives from Vogue, Marie Claire, Company, Cosmo, Easy Living, La Petite Anglaise and Stylenest. It was great to finally see everyone's collections in the flesh and start getting excited about our SS13 scarf collection being stocked on Regent Street. 

Age of Reason designer Ali Mapletoft- by Lea Salomone

Laura Bailey - photo courtesy of Jaeger

Daisy Lowe - photo courtesy of Jaeger

Lara Bohinc - photo courtesy of Jaeger


 Ali and Charlie Mapletoft Age of Reason photo by Lea Salomone

 Ali Mapletoft Age of Reason-  photo courtesy of Jaeger


Laura Jackson photo courtesy of Jaeger

Becky Tong photo courtesy of Jaeger

Monica Beatrice of the Elgin Avenue blog- photo by Lea Salomone

Friday, 12 April 2013

Age of Reason at The Boutique Gallery - Jaeger Regent Street


It's been an exciting week for Age of Reason, with the launch of The Boutique Gallery on Monday.  We're pleased to be part of it alongside PreenCharlotte TaylorMawi, Orla Kiely and many more.



Housed on the 2nd Floor of Jaeger's Flagship London store, the space has been re-vamped into a new luxury shopping emporium complete with tea-room and panoramic views over Regent Street. Cuppa anyone?


 Bringing together the best of emerging and established British brands, The Boutique Gallery manages to be both stylish and thoughtful, offering everything from high end apparel and accessories to beautiful Taschen art books. 



 For a full list of brands follow this link to the Jaeger Boutique Gallery Lookbook. So far our favorite pieces include bangles by Nicholas King, and Charlotte Taylor's dresses. We also hear rumours about Tusting Bags in menswear, which we like a lot. We always carry our samples in a Tusting bag. We're also looking forward to seeing new jewellery pieces by Lara Bohinc






The press launch will take place next Tuesday. We'll keep you posted!

Monday, 1 April 2013

The Rime of The Ancient Mariner, Kurt Cobain, Hidden poetry and Art

In my lifetime it's never been cool or trendy to like poetry. In fact as a teenager I probably hid my love of poetry underneath my love of Kurt Cobain. Looking back it seems ridiculous, but nobody my age wanted to look like a) a nerd b) a geek c) a dweep. (By the way all of these things are now cool and Topshop has the T-shirts to prove it.)

How things have changed. It may still be a social faux-pas to speak poetry in public, but I'm using Coleridge to inspire the new collection. And when I think about it, it's really not that different to using Nirvana. Also all the best people I know where nerds, geeks and dweebs once, so bring it on.


Ali


Samuel Taylor Coleridge, written in 1797–98

(Excerpt) 
 Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down, 
 'Twas sad as sad could be;   
And we did speak only to break  
  The silence of the sea!      

All in a hot and copper sky, 
 The bloody Sun, at noon,  
  Right up above the mast did stand,   
No bigger than the Moon.    
  Day after day, day after day, 

 We stuck, nor breath nor motion;  
  As idle as a painted ship  
  Upon a painted ocean.   

 Water, water, everywhere,  
  And all the boards did shrink; 
 Water, water, everywhere,   
Nor any drop to drink.

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Hunger TV features Age of Reason

At last a picture of a fabulously gorgeous woman wearing a gentleman's pocket square as a headscarf! We've been hankering for this because all too often people assume the 45x45cm sqaures will be too small. Not so, unless you have a head the size of a watermelon, in which case we can't help you.

Enter Hunger TV to prove our (moot) point, known for showcasing emerging fashion talent in their "YOUNG BLOOD" section this is an online publication worthy of a browse. This week stylist Nickque Patterson unveils his latest shoot, An Early Retirement.  The stylist chose to use our naughty   'Greek Gold' pocket square for one of the shots set in a retirement village.  You can view the shoot in its entirety by clicking on the link below. 




The pocket square used is based on an ancient Greek erotic pottery painting.  
Don't say we didn't warn you.

 We also enjoyed this shot for the rolling clouds and extra large hat.













Friday, 8 March 2013

Monica Beatrice of The Elgin Avenue Age of Reason

Marie Claire Blog Awards winner Monica Beatrice of the Elgin Avenue blog recently posted pics of herself wearing our Zulu scarf. We've never seen it worn this way, twisted to reveal only the border, and it reminded us of the never-ending versatility of the humble scarf. One minute intricate and elaborate, the next minute graphic and simple. We love the colour combinations she chose to accompany it. Roll on SS13! 








Style Photography by the talented Lea Salomone http://www.leasalomone.com/
Product Photography by the mysterious Capture Factory  http://www.capturefactory.co.uk/