The new Mulberry, that’s how I like to refer to the Mulberry we are seeing right now. With new Creative Director Johnny Coca showing his second collection yesterday at London Fashion Week, the British heritage brand is taking a new direction. An elevation from “the classic British” to “the British with a French twist” I almost want to say. An unusual, yet exciting change to a brand that is close to my heart since the moment I started thefashionugitar.com…
In fact, my first bag-crush was the Mulberry Roxanne, the it-bag from 6 years ago, the bag every model carried around with her that time, a bag I couldn’t afford. My love for that bag never died, but it became quiet for me around the brand. Its classic-vibe was always a success-factor in purchasing accessory-staples such as briefcases for the corporate purposes, and cardholders to fit into my small bags, but I never found a new “Roxanne”…
Until Johhny Coca joined Mulberry as their new Creative Director in July 2015. The Seville born designer who studied Art, Architecture and Design in Paris, hereafter he worked for world’s most renown fashion houses – Louise Vuitton with Marc Jacobs, and Celine with both Michael Kors and Phoebe Philo. With fresh eyes he took upon him a job that has resulted in already two incredible Mulberry collections. Two collections honoring the brand’s DNA, and reinforcing its British character with his 15 years of experience in the French houses. It has made me excited for what’s coming, especially after yesterday’s show during London Fashion Week.
But let’s go back to the fact I was – actually still am – in London, for the first time at London Fashion Week after we moved across the big pond. Excited, because at this point in time, I was finally able to see all the shows I’ve always wanted to see with my own eyes, but especially moved by the fact I was here because Mulberry invited me to be part of this new chapter in the books of the brand. The brand that caused my first bag-crush, and now makes me crush on almost every single bag they have produced since Johnny Coca came onboard. New icons, a shoe-collection I’m dying over, and a Fall/Winter collection I can’t resist – of which I was wearing my favorite look to the SS17 show. And there is so much more to come. With yesterday’s presentation of the Spring/Summer 2017 collection – where we saw oversized Bayswater’s, statement jewelry pieces, and an amazing play of fabrics and proportions – Johnny Coca made pretty clear the brand’s new direction is here to stay. And he made us all love the brand even more. One of London Fashion Week’s best shows, and definitely the highlight of mine.
Thanks to the amazing Mulberry-team for an unforgettable experience!
Photos by Jeff Thibodeau for Thefashionguitar.com
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