I want to live in a kaleidascope…

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I’m literally beaming as I’m typing because I have been anticipating this accessories collection by Fred Butler, whose set styling work I’ve talked about…quite a few times in scary fangirl fashion, for SUCH a long time since she told me that she would be making the transition from set design and custom made accessories to a range that is sellable in shops.

You know when you build things up in your head to the point where disappointment could be a possibility…well thank god this isn’t the case and I very embarrassingly squealed with delight when I saw the collection.  Immediately it takes me back to times of the BBC Test Card F, Rubix cubes, Quality Street wrappers, Polly Pockets, hours of origami, Crayola crayons, Caran D”Ache pencils, spirographs and Sugas sweets.  Those are all pretty important things in my world…

The way these accessories have been shot are crucial to the way we view them really, in that they are statement pieces that need a blank canvas to back them up.  Of course, there are a few that have the panache to pull them off in OTT manner.  Sadly I’m not one of them so I’d go with them on

So we have some necklaces with multi-patterned, multicoloured dangling triangles and spheres constructed out of all manner of shapes (not sure how she got them looking vaguely spherical)…just had another nostalgic reminder there… GCSE Design & Technology classes…   

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I love the way they are clustered up here…

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Belts that are woven/origami-ed and made to perfection…  I want to wear the triangular folded one around a grey jersey dress and not much else…   

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Ascot is coming up but I doubt these hats will be making an appearance, though I wish they would! 

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This is one of Butler’s more unique garments and I’m not quite sure what to call it… a shrove?  (Cross between a shrug and a glove…).  In any case, I love the multicoloured pailettes jingling on the shoulders and arms. 

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The peacock here has literally be dissected and Fred Butler has taken the rainbow colours to make a waistcoat.  It’s one of those things that reminds me of my H&M bit of lovable fugliness….   

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The thing is about Fred Butler’s collection is that it’s not JUST about appealing to the inner child and dragging up memories but that the construction is meticulous and the things that these accessories remind people of will be different for everyone.  I’m thinking BBC Test Card F, you might be thinking something else but the point is SOMETHING joyful will be remembered.  I’m praying for a decent boutique take-up on this… or else begging Fred Butler directly for some of this joy…   

26 comments

  1. Love the swan vest although I doubt we would see any high street shop/H&M clones of these soon. I really wish so…

  2. These pieces remind me of a pair of earrings I have, vibrant and colourful sello-like, I call them ‘my happy earrings’, and many people who noticed them would comment, always with a big smile. Imagine the reaction to wearing one of these wonderful pieces?!

  3. OMG! These are amazing, thanks for posting this. Those belts or rather pieces of waist art are fantastic, and yet another reason for me to learn how to quilt!

  4. The belt is fantastic! While I’m not sure I’d have the courage and chutzpah required to wear these beauties, I’d display a piece in a cabinet. Gorgeous spectrum of colours and patterns!
    PS. Well done on your 156 shoot, I can’t wait to see it, you look brilliant. Also, have heard vague rumours via Fashionista that you might be in line for a TV slot. I am sort of hoping it’s true =)
    Also, the Erin Fetherstone/Zooey Deschanel is now online, didn’t know whether you’d seen it, but here’s the link anyway – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtLUW8Sl–o
    (Sorry I’m doing all commenting here but I’m in rush off to the library!)

  5. Absolutely gorgeous creations, I’d love to own any of these pieces. They would certainly be the talking point of any outfit.

  6. wow… .these are amazing! i was like, ooh oh quilt belts, then oh oh origami… then o oho look at those hats!
    and then…
    this is too much, i’m simply on overload!

  9. I am speechless. These are fantastic! THIS is why I read your blog. The shapes, the colors tickle me to the core. Thank you so much for bringing this to us. As someone else mentioned, it is wearable art–but the colors make it fun rather than serious. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Some people use style as simply a means of displaying their naughty bits; and some use it to express their hopes, dreams and imagination. This increases our language…who isn’t in a mood some days that can only be expressed by that swan vest? xoxo

  12. oh my gosh oh my gosh the first belt oh my gosh. that’s about as logical as my thoughts on it get, it’s just beautiful.

  13. These made me smile. I don’t know what I’d do with them, but I love them. Maybe just set on a shelf, as art.

  15. i like these but feel some of them do lack a freshness. still, some nice aspects.

  17. The first belt and the “schrove” are fabulous. I’d love to get my hands on them, I already have the perfect dark grey dress to wear (display) them on. <3. (I smiled when I read your list of memories, I also had a crayola-filled childhood)

  19. i’ve loved fred butler, ever since you first introduced her work waaaay back when. that last paragraph about not merely appealing to the inner child but the sophisticated constructionist as well is spot on.

  21. Those triangle belts are amazing. The pattern is called a “log cabin”. Its a traditional quilting pattern. Amazing, wonderful, fantastic use of old as new. Ah!

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