C C x C P T

In Clarice Price Thomas we have found someone who shares our interest in the marriage of architecture and fashion, which in this case is manifested in the design of a fine jewellery line. Clarice's 'Metropolis' collection is inspired by the stepped silhouettes of cityscapes. Her Instagtram features images of Brutalist architecture including our old favourite, The Barbican Centre. 

We have been invited to take part of Clarice's guest-edited gift guide and have chosen our favourite piece to give away over on our Instagram. Visit us @concretecollar for full details. 

Image 1 + 8 - Gold Antumbra Ring by Clarice Price Thomas
Images 2 - 7 via @cptjewellery

C L U S T E R

Phs: Concrete Collar

A slice of Brutalist heaven in E2 - Keeling House proved to be the perfect backdrop for our exciting collaboration with Stills Atelier. As always, we were drawn to sensuous, minimalist silhouettes and brought these to life against the raw canvas of light and concrete. 

This iconic structure was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun (best known for  the Royal National Theatre, on London's South Bank). Completed in 1957, this 16-story tower block in Bethnal Green is a cluster of 4 blocks of maisonettes arranged around a central service tower. 

Unlike a flat slab or tower block, Lasdun designed Keeling House with four wings that each look onto another, encouraging contact between neighbours. Between the central lift tower and the front doors of the apartments, tenants had to pass communal 'drying areas' for laundry and storage, where he hoped that social interchange would be as natural as in the streets below. 

Thankfully this concept did not extend to the balconies which all face outward and offer panoramic views over the city of London. Now Grade II list, it was converted into luxury apartments between 1999 and 2001 by local architects Munkenbeck and Marshall. Eight penthouses were built on what had previously been the service roof of a 15-storey building. 

When can we move in?

Read our interview with Stills' head of design Korrie Vulkers here

All clothes are from the  Stills Atelier Fall Winter 14 collection- in stores this month.

All styling and photography is our own.

Special thanks to Leighann! 

Eilenberger

Tomorrow we release an exciting editorial (styled by yours truly) feat. the SS14 collection of Julie Eilenberger. But before that we wanted to give you a little background on the lady herself.

We discovered Aarhus-born designer Julie Eilenberger on the now sadly dormant Bengt website and instantly fell for her clean lines and strong silhouettes. Her experience with Chrisropher Kane is evident in her structured outerwear and we just had to know more about this rising star's influences.

We found out how architecture inspires her work.

CC: How does architecture influence your designs?

JE: Architecture inspires me because when you live in so many different places you notice different things to those who live there year round. I have lived in Denmark, Florence, Berlin and now in London. I am fascinated by the juxtaposition of Victorian housing stock and Brutalist architecture in London. In Berlin there's all this cheaply built 1970's architecture alongside surviving pre-war buildings, the both have their charms. I notice more and more as I travel, the lines, clothes and geometric forms of the cities I visit.

This sent the cogs in our minds whirling and we can't wait to share the outcome with you tomorrow!

B+C

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Parson's Podium

It's safe to say Penneys is a favourite haunt of many Irish students so we thought it befitting to shoot some of their Autumn Winter 2013 collection in the grounds of Trinity College. With one of us still attending college and the other working in London, we couldn't be happier with what Penneys has in store for us this season! 

Parson's Podium, designed by Grafton Architects, was built in 2002 as an extension the Department of Engineering. The architects had a number of conditions to take in to account when designing this space. Aside from issues of materiality (existing stone university buildings lay to one side with the brick urban block to the other) and marrying the old with the new, an old sycamore tree had to be preserved. Most interestingly of all the architects had to ensure that the 'Finn's Hotel' sign painted on a nearby brick gable end remained visible as this was where Nora Barnacle was working when she met James Joyce in 1904. 

The podium successfully ties together these disparate elements all the while providing the department with additional research and teaching space.  

For all of you (p)leather lovers out there, this season's collection at Penneys will not disappoint! Whether its pencil skirts you're looking for, coats, jogger pants, chunky heels or 'all you can carry' bags, there's a leather version to be found. For those of you looking for an alternative to the staple beanie hat, there's a beaut of a fedora set to hit stores in October. Our favourite piece in this shoot was the tailored jumpsuit featuring cut out details. The cobalt blue biker coat even has us excited about being cold again! 

Ciana wears

PU pencil skirt 

grey tshirt with roll up sleeves

bejewelled collar

black peep toe suede effect ankle boots

black coat with leather sleeves

PU joggers pants

black and white mixed knit jumper with PU shoulder details

ankle boots with multiple straps and gold buckle detail

limited edition bag with gold chain trim

Becky wears

black fedora

tailored jumpsuit with cutouts

ankle boots with multiple straps and gold buckle detail

round rimmed sunglasses (asos)

cobalt blue biker coat

slim fit PU pants

black ankle boots with gold plate detail on toe

over the shoulder bag with crocodile skin texture

All clothes available from Penneys. All styling and photography is our own. Many thanks to everyone involved!  

And if you haven't gotten the chance yet, please vote for our post 'Bull Island' to win best blog post at this year's Irish Blog Awards. Just follow this link:http://www.blogawardsireland.com/category/best-blog-post-2 Click 'Concrete Collar-Bull Island' and 'Submit'. Simple! 

Many thanks!

B+C