Imagine yourself and your loved ones wandering the woods, you arrive at a special gate to be welcomed by Christmas Elves. You visit their cosy village and get to meet Father Christmas in person! Well, that's a magical experience, is it not?
Spring 2023. Never, had I designed directly for the "World of Fashion" until I got a request from a very exceptional world: LAPLAND UK.
Needless to say I was immediately triggered. The brief was clear: design a print for a Magic Elves Coat.
Lapland UK residents. ©LUK
Watercolour sketch, idea for the print layout. |
My research started with the folklore of the nothern and eastern parts of Europe: from Scandinavia to the Balkans. Lucy Bond, costume manager, had designed the model for the garment. She drew inspiration from leather sheephurding coats common in those regions. The skin that is used is pale and neutral in colour and delicately embroidered with mainly red ornaments and graphic borders.
Watercolour study for a border. |
Several watercolour and gouache studies for textures, leaves and branches, fillings, stitches etc. |
Watercolour sketch of a Scandinavian Dala Horse |
In my design archive are several late 19th century coloured plates depicting the folk art. Patterns for embroidery and weaving. But also handmade toys, woodcarving and painted ceramics. I was given the time to do a full research on the subject which I then combined with the Lapland UK characters and the story behind the theme park. As a result a completely new style emerged.
Study inspired by a Swedish carpet. |
Slowly the idea for the layout got shaped. The sketches were made by hand (pencil on paper) and scanned to be coloured on the computer. This gave me the opportunity to make last minute changes in colour but also in layout.
Pencil drawing for the upper back part. |
Coloured drawing for the upper back part. Note how details are altered (the dog is looking upwards). |
Both lower front panels of the Magic Elves coat. |
First prototype of the coat. |
Credits: All pictures property of Atelier Billiet (except the group photo). These designs are copyrighted by Lapland UK!