TWITTERING CATS AND DOGS

We have recently been tweeting about the limited run of small dog scarves we are producing.  Inspired of course by Dotty and Penny, two pugs who have moddelled for us recently.  We will also be sending a scarf to Molly, the merry mog of Richard Weston Liberty's own scarf king.Watch this space for canine and feline luxury scarf news.  You can follow us on Twitter as @AgeofRScarves

Lerato Scarf

Here's a beautiful photo by fashion and interiors photographer Andrew Meredith. You can see Andrew's portfolio here http://www.meredithphoto.com

Anarchy Dog Grey

Here's one of our faves, Anarchy Dog in Grey. Each Anarchy Dog is different with a punk style of their own. We were inspired by all the pugs in Brighton where we have a studio. 

BONNY THE BRAVE

This is our vintage Chill Daw mannequin Bonny, who is named after the notorious 18th Century female pirate Anne Bonny. She is wearing the Anarchy Jack scarf. 

An engraving of the original Bonny from Captain Charles Johnsons 

General History of the Pyrates, 1725

PUG-A-LICIOUS

This is Penny wearing one of our AW11 Punk Pug scarves. We think she looks fabulous. 

Penny lives at Capture Factory where our lookbook pics are taken.  We love Penny. 

http://www.capturefactory.co.uk/

Anarchy Jack

90x90 Anarchy Jack - Faded Empire scarf

The Union Jack, also known as the Union flag was our inspiration for the Anarchy Jack scarf. We wanted to create something that was both British and punk, with a raw deconstructed feel.  The term Jack refers to a flag flown by a ship; the galleon being our emblem.

We chose to represent the Jack in bold splatters of ink because it sits well with our idea of celebrating the chaotic as well as the ordered. We like the idea of faded Empires evolving new identities.  Anarchy Jack is about a new Britishness, it represents good craftsmanship and is made in the UK.  It comes in 4 distinctive colour ways, at 90x90cm or 140x140cm.  We intend to add to the range of Union Jack scarves each season as part of our permanent collection.

          

AW11 Cecilia Scarf

Here's our AW11 "Cecilia" Bondage Doll scarf as worn by a friend. These are designed so that the wearer can choose to reveal or conceal the cheeky bondage clad doll. We like the way she's worn it here so that the handcuffs show at the back.  See below for all three designs posted a few days ago. x

Available from Coco de Mer, Monmouth Street, in June. 

Age of Reason In The Studio

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London Girl

Our model Phoenix on being a Londoner

"London is my home. I was born in Nigeria, but have lived and grown up here since I was one an half years old.  It's all happening here, and I'm in the heart of it living it,  fuelled by all the art, music and fashion."


Phoenix travelled down to Brighton for this shot, in which she's wearing a 90x90cm Anarchy Dog scarf. Contrary to the weather forecast,  it was one of the hottest days of the year and she was an absolute trooper putting up with the heat and glaring sunshine while the crew melted.    

90x90 Anarchy Dog Scarf

Photographer Andrew Meredith, Model Phoenix at BMA, Make up Janeen Witherspoon, Stylist Lisa Jones. 

Portfolio image only not for press.

Earl of Bedlam Launches Age of Reason Scarves in Style

We were most honoured to be part of the Earl of Bedlam's stunning launch party last night as they set sail on fashioable seas flying the Age of Reason flag alongside their amazing t-shirts and tailoring. 


By 8pm when we arrived the throng was buzzing with talk of the newly arrived, and spectacularly fun Mayor of Lambeth-  Councillor Christiana Valcarcel. The mayor gave a passionate, rousing, speech thanking The Earl for making their home in Lambeth. And without any further ado she cut the ribbon declaring the shop "OPEN!"  The party soon kicked off with some impressive vocals and piano playing from Mr Andrew Roachford of  Mike and the Mechanics. There followed much stomping and sing along into the night. We thoroughly enjoyed it. 




She shop currently stocks our 3 "Bondage Doll" scarves and our signature Union Jack scarf "Anarchy Jack".  

 Bondage Doll Scarves

"Tie me Up" 

The scarves are 100% silk and come in 90x90cm. They can be pre-ordered through Earl of Bedlam, from May. These will also be available from Coco de Mer from June.  

We won't forget the fab Mayor bopping to Andrew Roachford. 
We salute you Earl of Bedlam,  you truly rock. 

 Earl of Bedlam, 20 Clapham Road,  London,  SW9 0JG.

Telephone 020 7735 5223

Age of Reason AW11 Collection

Here is another sneak preview of 4 pieces from our debut collection

Anarchy & Order by Age of Reason.

This little punk fella is called Anarchy Jack and comes in 3 colour ways, each showing him styled slightly differently. 

It is entirely fitting that our "Anarchy Jack" scarf below is launching at Earl of Bedlam. 

They are the HQ of Brit-punk chaos and confusion; true London punk.

New Scarf Book

Thames Hudson have just published this fab book on scarves, described as "The definitive work on scarves in the 20th century." We are particularly enjoying the Westwood and Liberty ones. 

Book Details Here

Ship Shape

We love this old engraving of Marie Antoinette wearing a ship on her head. 

If you want to read all about this crazy Queen's wardrobe we recommend 

"Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution" by Caroline Weber. 

Age of Reason Union Jack Scarf

Although hats and tiaras are the order of the day today, we do like a good Queeny style headscarf. We'll be sporting ours HRM style;  tied under the chin.

Here's the first ever sneak preview of our Age of Reason Union Jack Scarf, as knotted.  There is already a waiting list for this little number. 

Spitalfields Dummy

We hit Spitalfields market today in search of a tailor's dummy for the forthcoming scarf studio shots. Though we didn't find exactly what we were looking for it was inspiring to have a look around. Some beautiful vintage scarves were in evidence around the market.

But the highlight had to be the Tea Dance with music by the Covent Garden Dance Orchestra.   This is where East London's most fabulous pensioners can be seen fox-trotting for England. We love it! For details of the dances scheduled throughout the summer (and, which seem to be open to all)  go to the Spitalfields website HERE.

And The Winner is...

Two weeks ago we shot our first look book in Brighton by the West Pier.  We put the word about in the area,  and offered a luxury silk scarf to the person who could best describe what they saw that day.  The winner is Sophie from Hove, who will recieve an Age of Reason Scarf of her choosing. The collection goes live on the website in 19 days time.

"I saw the model poised like a statue in the rowing boat.  She looked like a Queen in her gold make- up and a deep blue scarf.  The sunlight looked beautiful that day, like in a painting. "

Well done Sophie!

Age of Reason - Adventures in Scarves

The label is called Age of Reason because it represents a seed change in our way of thinking about accessories. We seek to create scarves that will last you a lifetime; a scarf you'd actually hand down to your daughter even if it was in tatters.  The galleon ship is an important emblem because it reminds us to explore new territory, to come up with new ideas, and not to fear being different by saying "Buy less,  but buy quality. Be proud of your things and never throw them away. "

ON/OFF

We love ON/OFF, London's exclusive fashion showcase and sometime pop up store.

 If you don't know about them already check them out here.

ON/OFF

The Creative Zone

Age of Reason scarf designer Ali explains how she arrives at a finished piece, from concept to complete article. 





A blank piece of paper can be a really intimidating thing. But I love that I have to get over that fear. Sometimes I spend hours just arranging my drawing table. It probably looks like I'm not doing anything at all, but it's all about getting into the head space, creating a zone for my ideas. I'll be thinking about everything from the print to the cloth. Everything has to work together to create the best possible scarf.  Once I've done that I'll often head out for inspiration. I'm based in Brighton so finding a creative spark is not hard.


 I usually start by walking along the beach or heading to the National Gallery in London, I don't know why but it draws me back again and again.  I also like to go to the British Museum or walk around Brighton or London (Soho, Shordich or Camden)  just looking at people. Then I'll go back to the studio.   I try to keep it fresh with pictures and objects that relate to the current collection in my mind. 


Sometimes I will listen to the same piece of music repeatedly. That might sound insane,  but it really helps me to concentrate and maintain a drawing mood. For Bondage Dolls I listened to lots of Patti Smith,  M.I.A and Dark Horses.  I love female vocalists who tread their own path. I'm not too genre specific though. 


I usually draw about 20 drawings before I get to anything I'm happy with. My tools are a fountain pen, inks, brushes and loads of watercolour paper.  I use my i-phone to take pictures and splice them together roughly.  My favorite designs are the ones where I get to make a mess, like the Union Jack series. There's a punk spirt that comes through if you just chuck paint around.  I've destroyed a wall or two with red paint, it was a bit Hitchcock. 


 The printers are based in East Sussex too, which is great because we don't send anything out of the UK. We are really into Made in England so our sewing is done here as well. It's great for me to be able to talk about thread choices and the finish with our seamstress Nicola.   


Every day when I finish my work in the studio I turn to a blank page and leave it for tomorrow, that way I have to make myself  have a fresh idea in the morning. Or just throw some paint around. 

Really Made in England

Controversially many designers have been accused of labeling garments and accessories as Made in England when they are in fact made abroad. This could mean that a suit made in India was shipped to London where the buttons were sewn on. Often it still gets labeled Made in England. Age of Reason creates it's scarves in the UK using materials from local suppliers.  We work with the best artisans to create a high quality product, and everyone from our seamstress, to photographer to make-up artists and models are UK based.   When you wear an Age of Reason scarf you are really wearing "Made in England."