Tinseltown

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Meadham Kirchhoff seem to favour the surprise pounce tactic – first they send their models whizzing out in zombie army formation, doing two turns and the A/W 11-12 show is over in a flash and on Friday, they dropped their third collection for Topshop earlier than expected, spawning quickie newsflash posts all over the blogosphere.  The sense of urgency is emphasised but that's not just down to timing not when TINSEL SKIRTS, SHREDDED and BLEACHED FLORALS mixed with BRETON and LEOPARD are involved.  Actually, the urgency placed upon tinsel skirts has already made itself known, seeing as both the pink and silver styles of foil strand skirts are now sold out on Topshop, with not much chance of restocking either as I was told by the shop staff that the collection came in limited run.  See?  Another instance of Meadha, Kirchhoff playing hard to get.  

Still, it pleases me to no end that the tinsel skirt being simultaneously accessible (in price – it's ¬£40) and inaccessible (in style) flew off the racks.  The skirt embodies the ethos behind what Meadham Kirchhoff has been doing for the past few seasons – uncompromising, bending to no one but their own will and ensuring everything is uniquely their own – yet here it is with a democratic ¬£40 price tag and it's something that shouldn't work on paper but still we bought into it and away the tinsel skirt went, towards willing customers who wanted to take a chance on something that isn't yer' average high street fare.  I'd like to see how other people wear it… actually, if you are one of those owners of the tinsel skirt, please do pop a few outfit pics to me with the view of posting it here on the blog… stylebubble@gmail.com

I wasn't going to miss out either and rung in demanding to reserve the skirts in both silver and foil in addition to the beautifully distressed floral tunic that has three chiffon prints worked into one.  I can't quite get over how pretty the tunic is  with the shredding at the edges, the holes and the combination of fabrics.  Yes, I realise I sound a bit ridiculous lauding holes and shreds in a top but these age-old tricks of distressing garments doesn't seem obnoxious here…     

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…especially when you have details such as little duck buttons, and coloured snappes, a detailing I spotted in their A/W 11-12 collection…

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Like other pieces that the boys have created in the past such as the hard glitter t-shirts that are supposed to shed over time, the tunic as well as the tinsel skirts will probably change over time too… roughing it all up is part of the charm…

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I'm well aware the skirts will shed and shred but even if they are diminished down to the pretty chiffon covered waistbands, at the very least you'll vaguely remember some good times… I already envision leaving strands of tinsel down the streets of Sydney/Melbourne (!!!going in May!!!), maybe Tokyo, in taxis in New York, some strands blowing around Hampstead Heath… the list goes on…

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(Worn with vintage pink lace wool dress, Makin Jan Ma breton leggings, Miu Miu shoes, Prada sunglasses)

Oh, and I'm loving the clever precedent that Topshop is setting by putting out sketches and pretty lookbook images with their designer collaborations as opposed to plain cut-out shots. 

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35 comments

  4. Sophie: Ask me a question and I shall respond… I can’t really respond to every individual comment but if there’s a discussion going on, then of course I’ll weigh in…!

  12. I love how this collab turned out. Interesting it was released early, it did seem to just sort of pop up on the website out of nowhere. And I agree that the way they are made to deteriorate over time is wonderful
    Also, have fun in Australia!!!

  14. wow, i haven’t left you a comment in ages…
    but i have to say YAY to you finally coming down to melbourne. will it be your first time in melbs? hope to see you around.

  16. one of the best designer/highstreet collabs i have seen in AAAAAGGGGGEEEESSS. i love how it combines the meadham kirchhoff aesthetic with the classic topshop cool whilst also seeking inspiration from outside sources such as the riot grrl movement.
    xx
    http://www.thestylecave.info/

  17. Love the chaos of the Meadham Kirchoff styling, I’ve always thought of fringe skirts as vaguely flapperlike/jungle-y, but the tinsel skirt is such a fun take on it. It doesn’t look v. practical, but I suppose the key is to think of it as, well, an accessory.
    Not v. sure what Sophie is talking about up there, considering that you responded to a pile of people in the previous post.

  18. hi susie,
    looks great but that tunic is US$500!! can you comment on the quality of the construction please? also, if you could post a pic of it turned inside out with close up of the seams that would be really helpful. if i buy any of this collection it will be via online shop so i can’t check it out in person. thanks!
    donna

  20. Donna: Done – here are some detail shots. Obviously the construction isn’t overly complex, sewing three layers of chiffon together but the seams look to me fairly secure and lock all the layers together without any fraying inside…
    Obviously with the ‘damaged’ nature of the garment, you have to take the inevitable fraying into account…
    To me, it’s the beauty of the three fabrics (and the fabrics themselves) paired together, the shape (it hangs beautifully when worn loose though I’ve worn it with skirt in the photo…) that warrants the price…
    http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/susie_bubble/IMG_0210.jpg
    http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/susie_bubble/IMG_0211.jpg
    http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/susie_bubble/IMG_0212.jpg
    http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/susie_bubble/IMG_0213.jpg

  21. I’m just really into your lipstick + Prada sunglasses + side ponytail combination. So much pink!

  25. Cute outfit! I really like the polaroid photos, my sister just got the camera and I can’t wait to take pictures like these!

  26. i was browsing around topshop today, in fact and saw various items from the collection. that skirt really must have flown because it wasn’t in stock. I love how you’ve emulated the design with a frayed and torn top over florals.

  27. Blimey, I wish I’d started reading stylebubble sooner, this outfit is awesomesauce! And you also look really lovely in the last photo 🙂 I love the legging/skirt/heels thing going on there. I’m amazed at how you manage to simultaneously look like you got dressed in the dark and like you have an accomplished personal stylist hehe.
    And those skeleton leggings are pretty nice, nothing new but the print is different enough to all the others I’ve seen that it isn’t too tired looking (though I own skeleton leggings anyway…because I love ’em).

  29. so so glorious! i am jealous we didn’t have a chance to get any of this lovely in australia
    but it is exciting to hear you’re coming out in may!!!! xxx

  30. The tunic is not my cup of tea. I think I was a magpie in my previous life so the tinsel skirt looks really fun. Meadham Kirchhoff encourage owners to mark with their own style, so I would probably layer over a short skater skirt with slip underneath and a white tee.
    http://memoirmode.com

  32. I dont like this collaboration at all, although I do like the label itself. And where does Topshop get off charging £250 for one of the sheer dresses? Its outrageous!
    Katie M

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