A celebration of the ordinary, a proclamation of the beauty in the mundane: Sarah Hellen’s debut collection declares its ok to be dull.
In anticipation of SS16, The Dull Men’s Club- a group that promotes all interests deemed ordinary- stands as the focal point of influence for this season’s collection; to Hellen, it is a party that perfectly encapsulates Britain’s unique sense of the eccentric.
For this reason, Sarah Hellen has produced a showcase in association with the DMC. From the Apostrophe Appreciation society, the UK Roundabouts Association to the man that watches paint dry for a living, their influence is seen in the fabrics, woven imagery, revisited and retrograde forms. Through these collaborative efforts, Hellen has imbued her menswear collection with the DMC manifesto, outlook and philosophy- emphasising the importance of approaching contemporary fashion in a light-hearted manner.
As is intrinsic to Sarah Hellen’s ethos, Hellen intends to develop her brand as an active platform to revive rural craft industries whilst continuing to focus on using materials sourced locally to Wales and the UK. Accordingly, various artisans have been recruited to help produce this SS16 collection; from working with quilting facilities at Coleg Cambria, Wrecsam, a silk painter in Anglesey down to the ‘Shandals’ handmade by shoemaker Alan James Raddon in Aberarth.
Sarah Hellen X the Dull Mens Club offers Hellen the ability to exhibit the DMC’s influence alongside her longstanding principles of promoting Welsh heritage and craftsmanship in her production. The result? A collaboration that explores fashion’s humorous edge whilst a creating a relevant collection built on old school heritage, traditions and methods of craftsmanship.
It’s ok to be dull.
