I've been working on the new collection 'You only live twice' for about 6 months from the time of coming up with the concept through to the delivery of the product now ready to be sold on the website. The name of the collection is chosen from the list of James Bond movies to follow the first collection 'Licence to Kill'

Before I travel to source my laces, trims & fabrics I work on storyboards of current fashion & other things that might inspire a collection. I tend not to look at what is going on in the world of lingerie as its easy to become too inspired by other lingerie labels. And the danger is you can start to look like everybody else.  

This collection is a mixture of several key sources of inspiration. It was hard to ignore the strong presence of cobalt blue making it's way down the catwalk in 2012-13. Strong colours like this look amazing on silk, which I love to use for the lingerie as its so luxurious & anything worn so close to your skin should feel soft & comfortable. 

I used to tear images out of magazines & create storyboards, but i now keep boards on Pinterest which are great because i can share them & keep them without all the mess. Below is what i put together for the blue inspiration: 

As well as the Blue there is also the spikes & studs references which inspired the Sienna shoulder pad bra & bodysuit.

I named this look Sienna after seeing the punk outfits worn at this years Met ball* by the likes of Sienna Miller & Cara Delevingne 

*The Costume Institute Gala (or Costume Institute Ball), known as the Met Ball or Met Gala, is an annual ball that celebrates the annual opening of the Metropolitan Museum's  fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. 

Another strong influence is the use of leather or leather look as well as the use of black trimmed with Gold.

There is something really cool about using such a heavy & dramatic fabric such as leather for delicate feminine pieces. So when I was travelling & visiting the fabric houses I was excited to find a beautiful soft stretch jersey with a leather look coating. From this I designed the Karlie collection named after model Karlie Kloss seen in the first image of the above storyboard.

Gold studs as seen on the collection from Versace SS12 inspired the collection Lisa for a touch of glamour and beautiful contrast against the strong cobalt blue.

Collections Darling, featuring the gold embroidered stars on fine tulle & The Adele peplum top made from intricate fringed lace are both inspired by the black & gold brocade designs coming down the catwalk as part of the Dolce & Gabbana show for Fall 2012. 

Looking forward to coming up with the next collection soon! J x