blog

MEMBER SIGN-IN

We're sorry, we can't find the username and password combination you've submitted. Please try resubmitting your information. Please note, username and password are not case sensitive.

Not a Style.com member? Join now, it's free and easy.

USERNAME PASSWORD

Remember me next time

forgot Sign-In Information?

submit

NOT A MEMBER?

Join Style.com to get full access to our special features and community. It's fast and free.

join now

JOIN NOW

We're sorry, but we could not accept your request. Incomplete/incorrect fields are highlighted in the form below with a ! symbol. Please fill out these fields and click submit.

To access this feature, fill in the fields below and click "Submit." To get full access to Style.com's special features and community, join now

USERNAME

PASSWORD

E-MAIL ADDRESS

CONFIRM PASSWORD

Please send me occasional e-mail updates about new features and special offers from Style.com.

Yes No

I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Mobile Terms and Conditions.

SUBMIT

Future Classics Is Ready For Its Close-Up

September 23, 2009 10:46 am

You can learn a lot about how designers see their collections by the music they choose. In Future Classics designer Julie Wilkins’ case, it was “Sing Swan Song” by Can and “Strange Overtones” from the recent Brian Eno/David Byrne album. Those particular songs don’t tell you much the way, for instance, “Girls & Boys” by Blur is an androgyny alert or “Dance Dance Dance” by Lykke Li informs you that you’re about to see a collection determinedly on-trend. But Can? According to Wilkins, a sense of mystery was the point. “I’m always interested in hiding or exposing the body in unexpected ways,” she explained, noting the draped hooding and back vent in her Spring 2010 line-up. Shown at the British Fashion Council’s new Somerset House location, Wilkins’ Future Classics presentation yesterday was part of the BFC’s initiative this season to offer emerging designers a more intimate venue. Here, the close-up view was a boon, as Wilkins specializes in, ahem, classic looks that are just a little twisted, like a pair of baggy trouser shorts cut open subtly at the base of the spine, or a vivid floral dress that reveals some exacting tailoring. The designer, who launched her brand in 2000 and sells at U.S. stores like Confederacy and Curve, calls this season particularly “realistic.” She explained, “If I wouldn’t wear it, it was out.” One last musical issue: Was that really her singing the song that introduced the show? “Yeah, I dip in and out of the music thing,” Wilkins revealed. “I don’t have a proper band name or anything, but I do have an album cooking.”