Taking Liberty...

As I mentioned in an earlier post Ronnie Wood is launching a collection with Liberty of London. I am not usually a fan of the celeb/brand collaboration and in a bit of a contradiction to the earlier post I quite like the collection! The clash of the quintessential, traditional charm of Liberty mixed with the dirty rock'n'roll vibe of a Rolling Stone is a new and innovative way for a celeb/brand collaboration to be presented- I like it!

The collection, designed by Liberty features Wood's own paintings. The print is bright, in-your-face and animated which works well with the more subtle shapes.

The collection is available in sizes 8-12 and priced from £375-£695. The collection hits down on the 1st October, but you can pre order online now.

The campaign is hot! It has a young, cool, brit-style vibe to it and Wood even made an appearance in front of the lens. (See top image).

I'm still not convinced that being famous (even if you're a creative celeb) gives you the qualifications or skill to be able to work in fashion design but I do like the collection and love the two polar opposites of a quaint English tradition being mixed with someone who was present when his band mate snorted his father's ashes!

Rock on Liberty!

Rock 'n' roll? Or selling their souls?

This month I have been shocked twice upon hearing about two rock gods turning their hands to fashion designing. The first being Liam Gallagher, frontman of Oasis. Gallagher is notorious for his 'don't give a t*ss' attitude and being well and truly rock 'n' roll since hitting the scene in the nineties. Gallagher's collection named Pretty Green, launched on the 5th June and is available on the official website. Unfortunately within minutes of it launching, the website crashed due to high traffic (bad news but also great news, as there are obviously many people wanting to buy from this line). The collection will be available in Selfridges department store next season and comprises of a trademark parka jacket, logo t-shirts and polo shirts.

The next shocking rock god to be jumping on the band wagon is infamous guitarist Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones. 'What?' I hear you cry...yes read it and weep my rock 'n' roll loving friends it is true! Wood is collaborating with iconic British department store Liberty of London to launch his clothing line for men and women. The line will be launching in Autumn 09 and will be influenced, supposedly by Woods' art. Perhaps this is an attempt to be younger due to new squeeze, 20 year old, Ekaterina Ivanova or perhaps he is trying to make a buck ahead of his divorce from long suffering wife Jo. Either way it is not what I expected from a true rock legend.

I am a fan of both of these men and their bands, but one of the very reasons I am a fan of both and pretty much anyone who lives a rock 'n' roll existence is the sheer characteristics of those people. The 'stick it to the man' attitude, the free spirits, the lack of care for money and the love and the passion for the music. So I fear these rock almighty's have lost the real reason they are in the business...it's not about the money it's about the music.

To call them sell-outs may be a little harsh but unless I have missed something, neither are qualified to launch and design a label and I personally don't think it is a big dream for either, more a plan conjured up by a clever PR guru...as long as there are fans there is money to be made.

The real reason I find this all so upsetting is I had a dream that rock 'n' roll style was all hap-hazard decisions made in a Jack Daniels haze but now I wonder if it is all decisions made by the stylists. I personally will not buy into either clothing line...I stand by the philosophy of heart and soul, rock 'n' roll.