Introduction
The process of creating a fashion show –
reinventing yourself each season whilst remaining true to the brand, worrying
about what this season’s buttons should represent, lighting, music, who should
be front row and who should be on the catwalk – it’s a monumental process,
taking a monumental team effort, only for people like myself to be fickle and
say ‘Loved it, but
those hats!’. To those outside of this fashion world, that first
discovery of the catwalk can seem boggling, complex and undeniably alluring.
The process of creating a fashion show –
reinventing yourself each season whilst remaining true to the brand, worrying
about what this season’s buttons should represent, lighting, music, who should
be front row and who should be on the catwalk – it’s a monumental process,
taking a monumental team effort, only for people like myself to be fickle and
say ‘Loved it, but
those hats!’. To those outside of this fashion world, that first
discovery of the catwalk can seem boggling, complex and undeniably alluring.
However, after the music has finally
settled and the final applause is being forgotten due to the after-party
tequila, the designer has the hangover of an empty canvas – a new season lurking
in the future, a new collection lurking in the mind. Who knows what that mind
might conceive, however for the majority of designers and creative minds alike,
the ideas are bom onto the mood board.
To explain or even describe a mood board
is futile. A projection
of the mind through scraps of paper, drawings or whatever inspires the
creativity, a reference point that will form the tangible clothes
of the season, only to be forgotten the next.
In this new series for FashionBeans,
we’ll be exploring this simple concept of a mood board; seeing what inspires us
and what character can be born and created by the clothes available right now.
We’re becoming the designer – finding the theme, the man, the look – but
pickpocketing our favourite clothes already on the market to explore this new
concept.
So let’s find out who the man of this
article will be…
Who is the Beatles in India Man?
The Beatles went to India in 1968 to attend meditation sessions and find inspiration. It became one of their most productive periods, leading them (especially George Harrison) to explore Indian music, psychology and religion.
The Beatles in India
As the images above show, the time the Beatles spent in India was a period of flamboyance and expression through colour, print and material. The man of this mood board has an awareness of fashion and style, but is dressed for comfort in the heat of the summer – exuding confidence, individuality and quirk.
Materials like linen and silk are both cooling and stylish, while crisp whites allow colour from accessories and prints to pop, drawing the eye. This man could easily be walking through the mountains of India, looking for spiritual guidance, wandering the vibrant markets of Marrakesh or living the bohemian lifestyle from his box flat in Camden, Brixton or Hackney.
It’s the look of a romantic man, celebrating life, freedom and love through psychedelia. It also includes some interesting and on-trend pieces for the spring/summer wardrobe that could (and should) be interpreted into your summer looks as either individual pieces or as combinations.
Modern Interpretations
On the Catwalk – Topman Design SS12 Showcase
The spring/summer 2012 collection from Topman Design explains the concept of The Beatles in India perfectly. Lead designer Gordon Richardson was clearly influenced by the colours and prints of India and its vibrant atmosphere, showing how bold patterns can be worn together and how varying materials and textures complement each other, making for an interesting overall look.
See how contrasting patterns are combined together through layering (a shirt under a jumper) or bridging the divide between tops and bottoms through a belt.
Inspired By Lookbook
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