Interview with Helen Bullock

November 13, 2013January 6, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Helen Bullock (Central Saint Martins BA, MA) is a textiles-driven label, using strong silhouettes as a platform for bold prints of a visceral nature. Throughout the seasons, work has been featured in publications including Dazed & Confused, i-D, and Vogue. And… now she’s up on Design & Culture by Ed !

EDWARD: Hi Helen. You are a young fashion designer from London, who graduated Central Saint Martins BA and MA, having your own label Helen Bullock and doing amazing illustrations during the fashion weeks. It’s all really impressive. Well, I hope you are doing fine?

HELEN: I AM!!!!

ED: What inspired you for this season’s collection? It’s so FULL of prints! And as I know, all textiles are designed by you.

H: Yes! All about the prints! As always a look across many different paths of imagery in an attempt to create my own visual story. At first I was driven by the bold honesty of graphic 60s prints, alongside a carefree image of Peggy Moffitt, combined with the intensity and composition of Keith Herrings work. Bit of a whirlwind really.

ED: Many designers usually find out they are going to be in fashion industry after sometime of studying different stuff. But when you were choosing your college, did you feel from the beginning you will be a fashion designer?

H: As the cliche often goes it really was something I dreamed of as a kid – but no more so perhaps than other options that preoccupied me. I eventually started studying fashion a little later than normal, and was a little resistant as thought the fashion pathway was a little predictable, and was thinking of myself as a fine artist. That all stopped though when I came across the idea of print … something that I’d never considered before, but seemed to bridge the gap so well between art and faaaashion!

ED: If you could choose, who would you love to wear your pieces? This can be an alive or dead person…

H: Well … I absolutely love it when Julie (Vehoeven) wears them …. but on a wish list Peggy Moffit would be super … and Iris Von Apfel would surely rock it!

ED: Who is your biggest fashion idol?

H: Anyone really who is prepared to take a risk and walk down the street holding their head high. I’m sat next to a lady Linda right now wearing a wonderful explosion of a Diana Freis dress…and dolly curls in her hair – we work together every Monday, and she never fails to impress.

ED: While you are a fashion designer, at the same time you’re contributing your fashion illustrations for A Magazine Curated By…. How would describe your drawing style?

H: Intuitive, sparing and in equal measures intense, at times awkward.

ED: Looking at your print erupting clothes, it seems you have a very energetic personality. Does your everyday style reflect the collections?

H: I hope so. I feel at a low if I’m not wearing brightness.

ED: If it’s not a secret- what are your next future steps for your label?

H: I’m trying to work my label as a limited edition made to order product. So rather than stockists, I’m almost searching for a place to exhibit the garment. At present though I’m setting up an on line shop, and have various collaborations in the pipeline.
I’m also hoping to add a range of scarfs to my next collection.

Printed Girl: Helen Bullock

November 7, 2013November 7, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Helen Bullock, coming from London’s Central Saint Martins, is a textile and fashion designer whose works and illustrations were published on Dazed Digital, I-D and Vogue throughout the seasons. Using strong silhouettes as a platform for bold prints of a visceral nature, her Summer 2014 collection is simply amazing. With sharp cuts, strong colours and interesting textiles, Bullock is a designer whose name can’t be forgot. “Helen’s work is full of vibrance, energy and spirit. Her clothes radiate a sense of confidence, both in proportion and application of line. She is a true creative force, and produces work with a beautiful timeless quality” as said Julie Verhoeven, a supporter of Helen’s work. Together with the beautiful model Frances Rose Knee and photographer Chloe Oretice, the look book for SS14 is full of structured tank-tops and patterns that we really love. Hopefully, soon, we will hear even more of Helen Bullock!

Cedric Charlier’s Colour Blocking

October 24, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Belgian designer Cedric Charlier’s eponymous label boasts clean, sporty cuts in a rainbow of bright hues, colour block patterns and abstract prints this Resort 2014 season. As Cedric is a pretty new name in Parisian fashion scene, he already has an eye on the future. How not to love these easy-going dresses, funny prints and comfortable suits in these Summer colours? I feel powerless to that.

Michał Mrzygłód

October 20, 2013July 18, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Today at the amazing fashion fair here in Poznan, Poland, I had a pleasure to meet Michal Mrzyglod, the designer of a fresh label Mrzyglod. This London based label created by this young, amazing designer, is a mixture of street style influence, hi-tech fabrics and Polish folklore cut-outs but are made thanks to laser in Michal’s designs. As he shows his impressive pieces on male model, I would rather say that they are more unisex- definitely they are looking great on women. What I loved in his new collection that I saw today in live at the Hush fashion fair, is the youthful energy, strong colours and the practicality that is thanks to fabrics created by the designer. There is a big use of nowadays hottest material, neoprene and lots of salmon leather attached to sweatshirts and bags. Oh, and the shoes… These look really cosmic! If talking of Polish/London fashion scene, Michal Mrzyglod is the name to watch!

Lemaire’s Summer

October 7, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Christophe Lemaire is definitely one of the hot names in Paris. He is designing for Hermes, and his own, beautiful label, making both of the houses minimalistic and fresh. At Hermes, Christophe took us to the jungle- but in very luxurious way. More, you wouldn’t go to the jungle in one of these jumpsuit, but live in one of these luxurious hotels with villas… Presented in a beautiful environment with lots of palms and trees, the collection was a mix of practical resort life and luxurious Hermes heritage. And if looking to the Lemaire’s line, we may be still located around the palm trees, but in a beautiful living room in one of Saint Honore apartments in Paris. SS14 for Christophe Lemaire was all about Parisian chic cut with a twist of exotic life. And the shoes… They really look awesome!