Animal prints are always popular on the catwalks; we regularly see leopard, zebra and snake making their way into designers’ collections. But have you ever thought that they’re perhaps a bit, well, predictable? So, what about something different? Say……… octopus? Enter Flik Hall.
Inspired by the form and ethereal symbolism of the octopus, Flik Hall’s prints consist of close-up images of octopi skin and tentacles embellished with eyelets to portray the octopi’s suckers.
Opaque and semi-transparent fabrics are used alongside leather and neoprene to produce chic blouses, narrow skirts, fluid floor length gowns and layered shift dresses – a conflicting combination of femininity and eroticism, which is inspired by cecaelia (half octopus, half human).
Contrast is also seen in Flik’s use of colour, as muted shades of pink, salmon, peach, orchid and lilac, used to represent the fleshy colours of the octopus, oppose the bolder shades of yellow and blue.
This notion of contrast is also seen in Flik’s use of colour as muted shades of pink, salmon, peach, orchid and lilac, used to represent the fleshy colours of the octopus, oppose the bolder shades of yellow and blue.
These static images may look incredible but, in my opinion, they don’t truly capture the beauty of Flik’s garments. Check out this video, which was created in collaboration with Ashley Joiner, to see the fluidity and movement that has been, if you excuse the pun, “caught” so beautifully.
An inspiring piece of poetry that accompanied Flik Hall’s SS12 collection:
On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings
In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings,
And coral reefs lie bare,
Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair.
kaSte 