The little Biches….

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Funnily enough if you add a t into Les Biches, you get an entirely different English meaning to the French word ‘Biches’ which means female deer or in the context of this AW08-9 collection by Ostwald Helgason, a designer I discovered last season, the title Les Biches refers to yet another Ballets Russes production.  Nope, nothing to do with Bitches, because Susanne Oswalt and Ingvar Helgason have drawn influence from a debauched drawing room party (where is that drawing room of mine to have such debachery…?) where an innocent-minded girl may be subject to corruption. 

So pretty satins and silks teeter on the edge of ruin with the neoprene and nylon.  Woodland prints and cute Bambi motifs are jostling with prints of deer fur and curtain drapes, suggesting the heaviness of old fashioned drawing rooms.  It all comes off looking quite eclectic as a collection where people might question the ‘flow’ of it.  I’d liken their work a little to what Giles Deacon does, that appealing randomness in his collection where you’re a little like ‘Eh?’ but at the end of the day, you can’t deny the beauty of it, even if it is a strange sort.  I think if I was ever in a drawing room party (likelihood being zero…), then a bit of strange beauty would go a long way to making me feel comfortable in that slightly odd situation.      

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19 comments

  1. i don’t like everything, but there are some beautiful dresses among the other stuff! but what’s up with the bambi-thing lol

  2. hey girl, thanks for the suggestion.
    now if only I could find gradiated tights like that somewhere!
    -Giselle

  3. I really thought the title was ‘The Little Bitches’ I laughed out loud, then I realized my eyes had deceived me. Anyway, I love the fawns on the clothes, but the one on the right looks a bit possessed.

  4. I really like all of these, a lot. Thank you for mentioning them, I’ll be looking into Ostwald’s work!

  5. This collection offsets textures in a wonderfully delicious mix of weighted fabrics. It just makes sense: the velvety heaviness opposes airy translucence in just the right balance. Delightful.

  6. I have fallen in love with those tights! I must take some time aside for a dyi project(:

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  8. Can anyone give me a an approximate price on Ostwald Helgason, I’m from Australia and looking to somehow trek down some of their pieces. I understand they’ve only been around a few seasons, do this translate into lower range prices than other designers?

  9. Bianca: Whilst they’re a young label, a lot of work goes into their pieces so it’s still fairly expensive…. I’d say GBP75-GBP700 would be a safe bet but contact them directly via their website!

  10. Thanks Susie!
    I’ll send them an email! Thank-you so much for introducing me to so many amazing young British designers that are yet to reach my side of the hemisphere 😀
    xx

  11. hmhm.. such a nice site! i wonder if that’s out fit. will fir for me! by the way very fashionable, keep it up!
    -sidney-

  12. such a nice collection!I like the way you collected all the clothes! very fashionable! looks cool! very unique design! Keep up the good work.
    -sidney-

  13. Know what? wearing satins and silks are very comfortable. That’s why I prefer to choose those kind of dress. You have unique and great design, I wonder how can you do it.
    -sidney-

  14. Hey! just visit your site again and looking on, i really like those weird but unique clothes. i never tried to wear that before, i hope i could. keep posting!

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