For the darkly romantic brand’s new Pussy Bow capsule, the founder rallied Kate Moss, Keira Knightley and more famous faces
Words by ELIZABETH VARNELL
One of the most charming — albeit spine-tingling — images to emerge during this chill-inducing season is one of musician Nick Cave’s back. He’s clad, naturally, in a black suit and snapped by Casper Sejersen holding up his left hand as if conducting a symphony while a pale pink dress dripping with appliquéd bubble gum-colored bows is tossed nonchalantly over his right shoulder. Cue the organ chords.
The shot, commissioned by his other half, The Vampire’s Wife founder Susie Cave, is one of a series of haunting images launching her darkly romantic label’s ongoing collaboration with costume designer Alice Babidge. The collection, aptly called Pussy Bow, includes 21 designs crafted from chiffon, metallic lace, silk organza, satin and classic cotton fall florals. Each piece builds on Susie’s trademark architectural sleeves and includes visible or concealed bows.
To show the looks, Babidge, who dreams up sets and threads for films and a host of recent productions headlined by Cate Blanchett at the Sydney Theater Company, suggested Susie turn to her rolodex. Friends of the Cheshire-born designer and former model, who splits her time between Los Angeles and Brighton, selected a collection piece while Sejersen (known for his arresting portrait series of the Nymphomaniac cast) snapped them seated or standing on a concrete floor.
A sparse, David Lynchian aura of eccentricity emanates from Kate Moss in an abbreviated Mini Mayhem dress and Amanda Harlech in sheer a black velvet Night Sparrow design. Susie’s best friend, Bella Freud, plus Keira Knightley, former housemate Philip Treacy, photographer Mary McCartney, stylist Katy England and dancer Lauren Cuthbertson all turned up at the shoot — with the latter even lacing up ballet slippers for her portrait. The result is an irreverent yet unsettlingly beautiful interpretation of the decorative knot sure to lure both the undead and the living.
Dover Street Market Los Angeles, 608 Imperial St., L.A., 310-427-7610.
Feature image: SUSIE, in the Lunar Eclipse dress, $1,674, and her husband, NICK CAVE, with BELLA FREUD, who wears the Total Mayhem dress, $1,674. All photos by Casper Sejersen.
Nov. 1, 2019
Discover more STYLE news.
