We are excited for the future of Sheeva and how this brand will grow.

Savile Row brand Hardy Amies have launched a new campaign for Autumn Winter ’13. ‘The ABC of Mens Fashion’ follows two Hardy Amies men on their daily commute from Aldagte East tube station, through Borough market to a pub on the Columbia Road pub - representing the A,B,C theme. The collection revolves around the idea of the modern, youthful man, whilst adding a traditional twist in keeping with the brands long history of British menswear in London.

The original ‘ABC of Mens Fashion’ was released by the company in 1964 as a go-to style directory for the modern English man. The house has been on Savile Row since 1945, producing collections which provide the everyday needs for the contemporary male. This includes traditional tailoring, knitwear and outerwear. 

Princess Madeleine of Sweden has become the latest bride to walk down the aisle in a gown designed personally by Mr. Valentino himself. The dress, which features a 4 meter long train and a waist emphasized with small vertical pleats, was worn by the Princess for her wedding to Mr. Christopher O’Neill in Stockholm last Saturday. 

The dress was made with silk organdies and ivory Chantilly lace with a matching 6 meter veil, finished with a royal tiara decorated with fresh orange blossoms. Valentino described working with the young royal, who is 4th in line to the Swedish throne, as ‘easy.’

“She is a very lovely girl. She is modern, fun, full of energy and enthusiasm, and she is so beautiful! It has been a pleasure and an honor” continued the designer who retired officially in 2008. 

Valentino has designed wedding dresses for many aristocrats and royals over the years, including Jacqueline Onasiss, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Queen Maxima of Holland. 

The rubber itself has been sourced from rubber trappers in the Sky Rainforest Rescue project area in Acre, Brazil, which hopes to provide new ways for the rainforest people to sustain themselves without cutting down the forest around them. 

Cole commented that she saw the campaign as offering a hope to the rainforest, stating “This jewellery collection is just one example of how wild rubber can be used. However, if in the future the value of wild rubber can exceed what can be made from products that cause deforestation, then there is the real potential for a sustainable green economy.”

The collection will be available at stylistpick.com from the 3rd of June, with prices ranging from £10.

How did the brand come about?

I started toying with making floral headdresses after buying one at a festival and then realising the one I bought was pretty naff, and  that every second person had one on, which I didn’t like! I set about creating unique headdresses and garlands, experimenting with the designs and the make process purely for fun. Realising I had a flair for it, I indulged in collating more materials and playing with different ideas - and that’s how the brand started. I was doing a bit of amateur Dj-ing at the time and used the name ‘Fumbalina’ as an alias. It made sense to carry that on as I started experimenting and ‘fumbling’ with making bigger statement pieces for me to wear at the odd gig I did. The brand has been ever growing from there.

Your pieces are beautifully ethereal.  What inspired the mystical and mythical background of the head garlands? 

The labyrinth (1986 film)! Haha! Yeah, basically all the Fantasy / Sci-Fi films I’ve been watching since I was as a kid (of which there are many)! I love getting lost in the world created through the incredible costumes, wigs and headpieces used to make characters in these kinds of films. Good vs. bad, dark vs light, man vs monster storylines allow for a fantastical contrast in costume and imagery, and are a great inspiration for me and influence my brain and my designs heavily.

What is your favourite place to source vintage materials from?

That’s easy - Deptford market. I love a good root and a rummage and there are some real treasures to be found down there.

What encouraged the 1920’s feel of the AW ’13 collection?

I fell in love with 1920s style and especially headwear (the swimming caps, head chains, adorned headdresses etc) through watching and admiring dancers of the era such as Josephine Baker. I wanted to take these influences of the era and play with them, in the hope of giving them an exciting twist and fresh approach. I had also been gifted with a box of beautiful old lace, embroidered ribbons and trimmings from a good friends Nan, who had passed away. They all dated back from the 1920’s and gave me a great starting point and enthusiasm for some of the collection pieces.

How long does it take for you to handcraft one of your headpieces?

Anything from an hour to a day, depending on the piece and the design! I like to hand stitch everything where possible as the result is much more long lasting and the making much more fulfilling, but is more time consuming as I’m sure you can imagine.

ROUGH has seen the promotional poster of Ultraista’s musical tour featuring a head garland of yours.  How was it seeing your piece on billboards in LA and New York?

AMAZING! Really awesome! I’d been working with Laura (from Ultraista) on a separate project (Sugar Loaf) where we played around with different ideas involving my headpieces and the tour poster was one of the shots that we came out with.  I love the band and their music so I and the other Sugar Loaf girls were more than happy to have them use the image. BIG thumbs up.

Who would you love to have wearing one of your designs?

Oooh someone like Bjork or Roisin Murphy would be incredible! I’d also love to see my pieces used in works from photographers such as Ellen Rogers, Paulina Otylie Surys or Kirsty Mitchell as I am a huge fan and admirer of their work.

What can we expect next from Fumbalinas?

Design wise I want to get more intricate, more elaborate and more experimental. I want to play with shapes and structures and really push the idea of mixing the beautiful with the bizarre! I’d also really love to collaborate with other designers, and with a few ideas in the pipeline this will hopefully be on the cards next for season.