PIERS ATKINSON FOR ASHLEY ISHAM

Piers Atkinson was commissioned by Ashley Isham for the first time to produce a series of headpieces for Ashley Isham's AW11 London catwalk collection. Here are some documented images of some of the pieces, modelled by Ivy Sun along with a short interview below.

How did this relationship with Ashley Isham begin?

We were introduced by power house stylist Celestine Cooney with whom I have worked with before making headpieces for Ashish's runway shows, which Celestine also styles.

What was your brief?

Celestine is very familiar with my work and knew I could produce something that could be relevant to Ashley's sensual red carpet design. When she saw the pieces I made especially for Patti Wilson's shoot with Solve Sundsbo, for the february fashion week issue of Italian Vogue, she knew we were onto something. We added chopsticks and tasles and I ended up making about 30 pieces, fusing chopsticks, tassles, dot veiling and silk flowers from a simple comelia over the ear to a vast ruched tulle explosion peppered with flowers for Ashley Isham's bridal finale runway piece.

What is it like for you working in this way?

What is so amazing about commissions is the super short time span where you almost don't have time to think and before you know it these ideas spring into life as they sashay down the runway in front of your very eyes. Of course the best part is whizzing backstage to sip a glass of champagne with Ashley and Celestine.