When you think of a showroom, your mind automatically flicks to garments hanging lifelessly on hangers – it is generally a forgettable and intimidating environment, dominated by business talk. Poster Girl sets themselves apart from this stereotype. Poster Girl is directed by 2 designers, Francesca Capper and Natasha Somerville, who claims to remain grounded in the cut-throat industry with rebellion and humour flowing through their attitudes and creations. They pay special attention to their design quality and the energy they can create, which blend together urban aesthetics with their own darker, modern edge.
When you walk into the showroom, the atmosphere created is overwhelming, and immerses the audience into the Poster Girl universe. Poppy dance music jumps out at you, and the room is set up as a 60’s inspired spa with models sat in chairs with rollers in, or lounging on structural seats, all wearing ‘Poster Girl Spa’ slippers (the exciting humour that the poster girls claim to have is very present and interesting). Upon entry there’s a receptionist at a desk, wearing a kind of workwear dress with bold powerful patterns, i.e, multi-coloured polka dots. This smart-casual theme seems to run throughout the whole collection, but the pattern-types and pastel colourways give it a more fun, relaxed look. Models wear gummy sweets hanging from little chains as earrings, chunky bracelets and necklaces made to look like candy. The jewellery gives the seemingly professional garms a youthful touch. Some models have perspex bags, made to be multi-functional that can either to be worn around the waist or as a traditional clutch. One of the bags was also filled with gummy sweets to link to the reoccurring candy concept prominent throughout the collection.
Poster Girl‘s wouldn’t be complete without some party attire; it’s what they’re so well known for after all! Several models wore diamond embellished dresses and chainmail pieces, very nostalgic of y2k clothing brought to the light by the likes of fashion icons such as Paris Hilton. The glamorous disco-inspired pieces, made from chainmail, velvet and satin had very relaxed and elegant silhouettes with plunging necklines and short hems. The use of the diamonds and chains, embodies glamour and adds interest. Recognisably, the pieces were classic Poster Girl.
Another thing that sets apart the whole collection from anything else I’ve seen, is their inclusion of an elderly model. She was set right in the centre with the younger models, and her position in the showroom felt very refreshing. It proved to an audience that although Poster Girl has a generally youth-orientated market, it is suitable and designed for all ages to enjoy.
Prints were definitely at the forefront of Poster Girl‘s minds – a motif of stripes and dots throughout the entirety of the collection, bringing the pieces together as one, yet shape, silhouette and accessories is what set each apart. Alongside the beautiful relaxed design of the garments, I cannot express enough the thought that went into the accessories. The perspex bags, reminiscent of the rise of the utilisation of the material in the 1950’s, were given their own edge with chain straps and laser cut holes. The jewellery designed to look like candy, was like nothing I’ve ever seen before! I think it’s safe to say that Poster Girl have put themselves out for this collection, creating such a theme and atmosphere. Keep a look out for their future collections, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Words By Ava Frances J
*Disclaimer – All images are sourced from Poster Girl’s official Instagram account and Getty Images via Google. Ragged Culture Publishing Ltd are not responsible for the source beyond these entities. All rights reserved.*