By Hannah Powling
London subculture legend, fashion stylist and accessory designer Judy Blame has teamed up with Jo Malone creating four box designs, inspired by London’s Pearly Kings and Queens…
Blame is known for customising garments, his button accessories and minimal designs. After swapping his Devonshire life to become a punk rocker, Blame fell in love with the emerging New Romantics scene. It was rom there that he began designing jewellery out of bottle openers and plastic toys in order to stand to from the crowd. After his first catwalk show, he dressed Boy George, in pretty much every accessory he had, for the 1984 Grammy’s… and the rest was history.
Using Jo Malone signature colours, the boxes are black and cream with bottom motifs arranged in patterns, “A heart for charity. An anchor for hope. A crown for royalty” and of course a “post-punk pin,” each tied up with a contrasting button print ribbon.
This morning Beauty and the Dirt got the pleasure of visiting the Jo Malone Regent Street Boutique store to meet Judy Blame himself and discover the beautiful collection for ourselves.
Take a look at the interview with legendary accessories designer and cult icon Judy Blame below as he talks about his influences, his exciting collaboration with Jo Malone and why London is the place he feels most inspired..
What were your earliest influences?
Spanish art and bull ghting, punk rock and Paris Haute Couture
What was it like growing up in punk Britain? Does it still influence your work?
I enjoyed every minute. It was about the attitude, not the image…. It always crops up.
Can you tell us about your finished designs for Jo Malone London? Which Pearly symbols did you choose to use?
Jo Malone London asked me to modernise a traditional English look. I immediately thought of the pearly aesthetic and it was something that had influenced me for a long time. All the symbols I used mean something in the pearly language. ie. The anchor means hope. The horse shoe means luck. The crown is for royalty. The heart means charity… Doves are peace.
You work with everyday objects, what attracts you to them?
Their ready availability and endless variety.
Do you think there are any characteristics which are unique to British design?
We are given the time to experiment. We have a respect for tradition but we don’t mind mucking about with it either.
Where do you find yourself most inspired?
London.
Judy Blame for Jo Malone London Box is available with a 100ml cologne of your choice, £85. Available from 1st June 2016. Exclusive to Selfridges, Regent Street and online.
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