I feel like a golden oldie as I catch up with I Heart Norwegian Wood as I think back to our very early collaboration when Angie Johnson made my frilly cagey dreams come true back in 2008. For love or money even if I become all lumpy and bulgey in all the wrong places, there's no way I'll be parting with that dress. It feels extra good to know that since our foray into lingerie-inspired cages, I Heart Norwegian Wood has been on the up, collaborating with the likes of Topshop and now having sent a bumper order off to Anthropologie. Despite these huge retail endeavours, she hasn't deserted her original Etsy store and her new A/W 12-3 collection will soon be dripping in, bit by bit, ready to warm our cockles (whatever that means…) with her distinctly autumnal collection. The 70s geometric retro bug got her as she looked at that pastime of yesteryear; paint-by-numbers as inspiration for her prints, which she transferred to a bag in collaboration with local designer Kimberly Fletcher.
Actually Angie's ties with the local Montreal design scene seem to have become intrinsic to her work. For instance the wooden jewellery, inspired by pots of paint in a paint-by-numbers kit, were created with Devin Barrette, part of a local furniture collective Furni. She also worked with a local textiles manufacturer to create a custom knit fabric used a skirt, a maxi dress and a pair of knitted shorts that even Angie knew had my name written all over them.
Angie then looked at old family photo albums, plastic covered couches, actresses like Oliva Hussey and Gloria Steinem and the Richard Linklater film Dazed & Confused to inspire the wood-y and faded hues for the collection and the sort of girl that would layer up swans, plastic skirts with leather applique and deer-printed turtlenecks. If you do buy anything from the collection and don't go leaf-crunching whilst wearing it, that would be a picturesque autumnal opportunity missed.
23 comments
mariposa
2012-08-09 at 9:55 AMI love this post!
very intersting
xoxo from germany
http://mariposa-world.blogspot.de
The Provoker
2012-08-09 at 10:45 AMthis is one talented designer, love the print and leather biker jacket and I do adorable her playing with all the elements. Oh I’m doing my first ever giveaway which is an Alexander McQueen silk-chiffon skull print scarf, check it out.
xx nathan.niche
http://www.the-provoker.com/2012/08/alexander-mcqueen-giveaway.html
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN GIVEAWAY
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN GIVEAWAY
Haidee
2012-08-09 at 10:50 AMlove it SO NATURAL AND BEAUTIFUL
http://haideeandco.blogspot.co.uk/
Miss Tallulah Porkchop
2012-08-09 at 10:53 AMI need that bag, *becomes slightly hysterical* WHERE DO I GET THAT BAG?
Lola
2012-08-09 at 11:10 AMWhat an amazing journey for Angela, I’ve just gone back a few posts to see the original request for the cage dress, then read the post to see the cage dress being brought to life and now to read about her very own brand excelling brilliantly!
Serdane
2012-08-09 at 12:10 PMNice collections. The materials look like the Kenzo ones.
http://www.younglington.wordpress.com
Tara
2012-08-09 at 12:30 PMThere are some beautiful pieces within this collection. And I completely agree with your “leaf-crunching” comment, Susie – all the tones and textures scream out to be worn on a trek through a forest at dusk.
Best Wishes,
Tara
http://dandelionden.blogspot.co.uk/
Margief
2012-08-09 at 12:49 PMI like the English heritage feel some of these looks have but I also love the necklaces which are not that style at all…altogether it’s a really good look and I want the blanket/cape piece!
Margief
X
http://www.margieheartsclothes.blogspot.co.uk
EUGENIA
2012-08-09 at 1:38 PMWOW THESE CLOTHES ARE REALLY GREAT, I WOULDNT BE ABLE TO CHOOSE!
http://diamondsandspikes.com/
http://www.facebook.com/diamondsandspikes
Merry
2012-08-09 at 3:04 PMgreat design… so beautiful!
Lala
2012-08-09 at 5:29 PMHi Susie!
What beautiful pieces! I especially love the paint-by-number prints. Gah to die for. Can’t wait for fall clothing even though it’s still majorly hot still. I’ve been out of the loop with the whole fashion blog scene but you’re still one of my favorite bloggers out there and your pieces on these unique/quirky/indie designers are one of the reasons I keep coming back. Visual inspiration for getting through the day!
Luv, Lala
http://lalaandsasi.com/blog
Jasmine
2012-08-09 at 7:25 PMI am in love with that bag!
LeatherTee
2012-08-09 at 11:17 PMGorgeous pieces, and make you believe even more that history repeats itself. It really does make you reluctant about throwing away some old stuff in your closet. No wonder people are such hoarders these days, with such beautiful clothes being re made with vintage touch.
Again, GORGEOUS PIECES (especially drooling over the bag and first shirt/dress) GOSH
Rebecca
2012-08-09 at 11:47 PMI am a huge fan of Norwegian Wood – and have been so glad to watch Angie’s journey so far. Loving these new pieces!
Marsha Thomason
2012-08-10 at 3:16 AMNorwegian Wood! So bloody cool. I really dig the wooden jewels and the brocade collar shirt. Though I’d be happy to take any of it home with me! Thanks for another great post.
Janice
2012-08-10 at 5:41 AMOh wow. These pieces are perfectly dreamy!
ttea
2012-08-10 at 3:30 PMBeautiful collection. I love the attention to detail, in that, nothing is overdone, everything is well proportioned. The colour palette has an interesting mood to it. I am so excited that she is collaborating with Anthropologie, as that is my favourite store ever.
http://fashionananthropologicalpointofview.blogspot.ca/
freyah sorenson
2012-08-11 at 2:02 AMA gorgeous post in a wonderful blog. I do have say that Gloria Steinem was not an actress, but one of the women responsible for the womens rights movement, and a hero to many.
genevieve
2012-08-11 at 5:41 PMcongratulations angie. we love you!
Electrik Sheep UK
2012-08-12 at 5:07 PMThe earrings are really cool, not sure how easy they would be to wear for a full day but they still look cool.
e4v
2012-08-12 at 9:00 PMWhat a beautiful girl :O