I have been a part of the Welligogs team for several years now. I began working on the trade stands at the various exhibition shows we visit but have recently started focusing on the trade side of the business. Throughout my time with Welliogogs, I have been involved with the design of new products and helped choose the various fabrics we use. Recently, I was lucky enough to join a small team who visited Mexico to gather some ideas for a few pieces of SS19 collection. This is a little story of what we discovered and came up with…..
As a distinctly British brand, we of course take an abundance of our inspiration from the lush green land we call home. However, for a small number of jackets in chosen collections, we go slightly further afield for the muses to sing to us.
Keeping very much in line with our core ideals of being comfortable, durable, and fashionable, we always want to provide unique and fresh pieces to our staple collections. For our SS19 range, a few members of our design team travelled to Mexico, to see what inspires their free spirited, enchanting nation.
We were like kids in a sweet shop…. with the tree lined streets, colourful buildings, and the smells of street food encircling them at every corner, the muses began to softly hum.
Frida Kahlo’s house was a particular favourite. As a pioneer among not only Mexican art but fashion and art across the world, her Cassa Azul (“Blue House”, where she lived with her husband Diego) was a great place to start.
With her positive outlook on the world, despite having lived with polio since she was 11 and having been involved in a car accident at the age of 18, which left her with a broken spine, her strength and uniqueness continued to shine through. She was feminine, bold, and utterly fantastic. Her vibrant artwork has been the inspiration for us and many fashion houses to date. We replicate her splash of bold colours with our Kuoni Jacket, a brilliant piece to jazz up these chilly winter months, and our bright tassels, which you can swish onto any of our boots or accessorise with.
As great as it is to wear a statement jacket, sometimes one needs something a little more understated but just as chic. Our Phoebe Shirts have always been hugely popular with varying details to mirror the ever-changing seasons. Our new design, Phoebe White, is one of our best yet. We wanted to keep her elegant but simple, unique without being gaudy. We took inspiration from the architecture of Mexico.
From the Oaxaca state to Chiapas, the buildings are breath taking. The detail in their sculpture inspired us to do an intricate lace effect down the front of the shirt. Whilst remaining a staple, our Phoebe White also becomes exquisitely distinctive.
One thing that struck our design team was how green Mexico is. Its landscape differs massively, from beaches, to mountains, to jungles…. all three surrounded by lush green vegetation. Now in England, we’re not short of greenery and it got our team thinking about bringing back a green raincoat. We haven’t done one for a while and with it being such a rich colour in multiple different climates, why not?! We were debating what style to do, whether to let the muses steer us in the direction of the mountains or the beach… but there is something about classic things that we at Welligogs gravitate towards.
The muses of the ruins triumphed… we decided to do our famous Louise coat in a khaki green. An oldy but a goody, and a wonder she is! Louise Khaki is timeless yet trendy, waterproof yet feminine, pretty yet practical. A must have for this season.
Pink, pink, pink! From sunrise to sunset, market stalls to fruit, flowers to lakes. Yes, would you believe it, there are pink lakes in Mexico! Los Colarados, naturally coloured pink by the salt and algae. Being literally the colour of candy floss, we couldn’t not be inspired.
Our Ascot Rose Pink with its blush coloured tweed and rose suede detail, one cannot not wear it and smile. In our ever-loved Ascot design, this jacket will swiftly become a firm favourite.
Well what can we say Mexico… you were a feast for our eyes, and we were swept away by your beauty. Muchas gracias…
