October 2024

I started work on this collection living on the edge of a mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Most days would start router in one hand, phone in the other, arms reaching into the sky hoping to latch on to a little Wi-Fi. It was not uncommon for the electricity to be shut off at random, for hours of the day. But it was also not uncommon to see whales coming into the bay to have their calves. My whole life changed. I started to build the collection as I was learning to adapt to my new world. Before fabric choices, before print design, I was able to look at things purely as shapes, feeling more free than ever before. It’s a real privilege to have space to roam. In nature and in your imagination.

By the time we were putting the finishing touches to the collection, I was back in Britain. Grateful for uninterrupted use of the washing machine, but not wanting to lose that visceral connection with nature. I’m in London for part of the week, but feel most at home here in the middle of a thousand trees. With everything Faye and I work on, autobiography creeps in. The story we spun for this collection - an urbanist who heads out into the wild, pursuing adventure – feels particularly personal.

The collection is sturdy and sculptural. Garments designed with protection in mind. In-built layers and textiles inspired by technical and performance wear – ancient and modern. Here I’m wearing pieces that make me feel strong, and able to express femininity on my own terms.

ERICA WEARS: