We love to show our support for independent designers, especially those who create designs that we just LOVE and are BANG on trend!

Manchester Social 101 recently came across Suicide Blonde, the high-end accessories label that takes a bright outlook for the summer. It is launching its fine collection of beautifully construed neon accessories, available in both a large wallet and cardholder as we speak. The neon-hue is right on trend with SS13’s vivid palettes, so you can carry your cards and cash in unmistakable style.

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Suicide Blonde gets a colour-pop makeover for SS13, the label’s latest accessories come in a whole host of bright hues: acidic pink, orange, blue, green and yellow that work wonderfully with the cracked-look, distressed leather. Known for creating all season-long products, this electrifying bubblegum palette makes a fun foil to cold-weather staples and will look just as fresh with summer’s pastels.

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The Suicide Blonde Large Wallet and Card Holder are beautifully handmade in neon-colour distressed leather and 100% lined in Moiré silk fabric. The wallet is made with slim pockets ands pouches, perfect for storing all essentials and a must-have for any chic travel destination.

A firm advocate of the British leather goods industry: working with specialist workshops and individual craftsmen these hand-made accessories are made from start to finish in England.

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Prices for the large wallets are £195 & the cardholders £105.

Suicide Blonde will be launching an array of exciting accessories to coincide with two upcoming exhibitions at the Fashion & Textiles Museum. Namely Kaffe Fassett – A Life in Colour from 22 March – 29 June 2013. Also Zandra Rhodes Unseen from July – 31 August 2013.

All products available to buy at:
www.suicide-blonde.co.uk
The Shop At The Fashion & Textile Museum, SE1
www.culturelabel.com/shop/s/suicide-blonde/
www.independentboutique.com

Manchester Social 101 caught a up with designer Estelle Lordonne to chat about her influences:

1: What brought you to London?

I first came to London as a child in the 70’s. I was six years of age and Punks were ruling the streets. Having had quite a Victorian upbringing, seeing these beings with their insane, colourful hair, arranged in spikey Mohawks and wearing studded leathers was quite a revelation for me. The girls, extravagantly made-up, wearing leather collars, were pulled around by their boyfriends at the end of a chain. Mind blowing. How can one get these images out of one’s head? I can still see them now.

I probably knew, there and then, I would come back to London when older. And I did.
London’s diversity has always held a very strong appeal to me: a “Devil may care” attitude to style, a cultural melting pot and a particular smell in the air, not forgetting its unaffected eccentricity. I haven’t quite found anything like it in the world so far.

Furthermore, I was born and bred in Brittany. So I’m a Celt. Irish blood runs through my veins, which I most proud of. So, in a way, living this side of the channel has always felt right.

2: Where are your design influences from?

Even though I come from a musical background (I studied classical music), my sensibility has always been more of the visual type. So, paintings, sculptures and old movies are my primary source of inspiration. My mind always wanders with the help of artists such as Frank Dicksee, William Bouguereau, John Maler Collier, Evelyn de Morgan and Camille Claudel, to name but a few.

Literature and poetry also play a big part in the process. I am most fond of Edgar Allan Poe, Baudelaire, John Milton and Edith Sitwell. Of course, Gothic and fairy tales alike don’t go amiss either. Nothing like a good Ghost or undead story to get your mind racing, don’t you think?

But then, Rock music comes also in the equation. Each time Motorhead gigs in London, I try to be there. There was also a time when I used to go to each and all of The Fall’s appearances. I have some fond memories of Mark E. Smith’s performances in some of London’s Irish pubs.
So, you see, creating for me is a very organic process: a mix of images and sounds, sensationary stimuli coming together and working their magic.

3: What advice would you give to budding designers?

I have never been comfortable giving advice. I believe that designing is a calling and not so much a choice as such. If you have it within yourselves to create, then you will know instinctively and it will be a natural progression from there on.

Some days will be filled with inspiration, some not so. Some people may not appreciate, nor understand your work at first, but keep at it. Your work will eventually speak for itself.
Anton Chekhov wrote a line in The Seagull that translates as such: “Learn to carry your cross and have faith”. It’s been my motto for years.

4: Who is your designer inspiration?

Sorry to disappoint but… No fashion name here.

Antique and vintage designs inspire me most and usually have no name tags attached to them. Often lace, clothes and accessories were handmade in the most exquisite manner which one can only admire and appreciate. Things were not so disposable in the past. Beautiful pieces were painstakingly made and this took time. Nowadays, people have a distorted relation with time, as we live in a society where things are readily accessible.

We have lost the ability to wait. Making accessories by hand I understand this too well.
Craftsmen inspire me with their meticulous work and by keeping a trade alive.

5: Which celebrity would you want as your muse in a perfect world?

Most of “my muses” are dead.
I am particularly fond of Theda Bara, the first ever vamp if there was ever one.
Isadora Duncan who danced her way through a tragic life is another one. So are Sarah Bernhardt and George Sand.

Strong, free spirited women who lived their life on their own terms and defied the conventions of their time.

I would not call them “muses” as such, but Helena Bonham Carter and Courtney Love both have a very personal sense of style, which is always very interesting to look at and appreciate in their own right.

But ultimately my muse of choice would have to be a legendary one such as The Lady of Shallot who followed her calling no matter what the cost, with great style.
My “perfect muse” in an “imperfect world”.

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About The Author

Lisa Hollinshead
Editor & Director

Boss lady over here at Social 101. Lover of all things that inspire creativity, individuality and happiness! Former party gal, now mama to a beautiful baby boy!

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