London, UK What: Scarves | For: Women | Style: arty, handcrafted | Category: Emerging Label
Thumbalina is a London based fashion label designing scarves and jewellery. The label takes inspiration from the scene of culture, fashion and street style.
Meticulous in establishing a collection of symbolic meanings, Thumbalina is looking to create a series of print designs as scarf-works and handmade jewellery illustrating the nature of woman seen both from her inner self and outer projection.
The symbolism behind the raw illustrations of mundane graphics and hyper-saturated contexts describe a taste for kitsch and extravagant lifestyle.
Quirky, flamboyant and easy to wear, Thumbalina uses specially selected fabrics to beautifully suit and define the elegance and joviality of a woman either in business or on a roller disco.
I seek inspiration all around me. Pin-up and Pop culture are the starters, whereas the main menu features references from Hieronymus Bosch, Sailor Jerry and Rosie the Riveter. Marilyn Monroe tops up the cherry cake and so Thumbalina gets shaped.
Fashion usually influences me but not as what people like, instead is more of a figurative meaning. Collecting visuals from any source that relates to my subject is really important in the development of any creative design.
I think that the silk “Cookies” are the ones I like most, but have to say that “Think Milk” Scarf is one of my favorites. Described as a melancholic solitude, its hidden meaning of the fortune in a cup is actually my echo of heaven.
It all starts with an image of a pretty blond girl sitting remotely in the middle of the sea of chaos.
What’s trending now affects the what’s going on canvas.
I see and hear fashion but I only select what’s relevant to the things I like. For example, Sky Atlantic is about food but it ended up in the clouds. For me is more like eating in paradise. Space Scout is happening in space but why is the girl holding a microphone? Because her voice is so bad she had to be in space to sing.
Finding the subject and hiding its meaning is as important as the process of creation itself.
Absurdity, quirkiness and subliminal messages are the ones I abuse a lot.
I think it just came to me. Having an artist background and always using the canvas, as my medium of expression, was easy to create an alternative of how I can make my art wearable and valuable as a product. Exquisite silk was the answer.
I’d probably be an artist in the creative industry making paintings or graphics. I love art and calligraphy so probably somewhere in-between.
Mornings are the best, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, the nature is calling.
Time to think, reflect and foster how your coffee will be.