Everything is better with an owl

Who else has been loving the beautiful imagery accompanying the promotion of Goldfrapp’s new album ‘Seventh Tree’, shot by Serge Leblon?  The light washing over the images, the composition, Alison’s expressions, the use of fantastical props, the simultaneous whimsicality and simplicity of the outfits and most of all, the assertion that clowns don’t have to be the frightening sort.  It may be true that she has had more of a helping hand compared to her total self-styled Felt Mountain days, I do believe that Alison Goldfrapp is the last person to succumb to extreme external styling. 

So whilst Cathy Edwards, contributor to Another and Dazed& Confused, had a dab hand pulling together the aesthetics, ultimately, I think this ‘Little Lost Clown’ vision stemmed from Goldfrapp. The Look’s blog presents an interesting argument that the images overly reference Vivienne Westwood’s various past incarnations and whilst the similarities are there, I feel that if there was direct influence, it was well executed all the same.  The more obvious, recent references would of course be Miu Miu’s circus SS08 collection.  In any case, Alison Goldfrapp frockling about with a giant fake owl and a huge neck ruff is all wonderfully mood-lifting.

Comments

[mgw]

"wonderfully mood-lifting " - I couldn't agree more! Thought the cover shot for the single A&E alone might lead you to post; that soft, oversized ruff looks so...wearable! Picasso's harlequins also come to (my) mind

[EJ]

darn, someone beat me to it. yes, i was thinking more this http://home.vs.moe.edu.sg/whitenoise/Images/F_C_E/Picasso/PaulAsHarlequin24.jpg
than westwood...

love love love those pictures though.

[natty]

I love Alison's latest incarnation and the shots and styling for her new album. In my blog I compared the owl shots to a couture Gaultier dress, which as well is quite whimsical and naturalistic. The clown outfits and big collars also remind me for some reason of Richard Nicolls last collection.

[buttonsandstars]

These images are beautiful, as is Alison. A very unusual girl. I love the look of neck ruffs... I've been fancying making one for ages, but I've never got around to it! I found a fantastic site that tells you how to do it though :) It's definitely on the agenda.

[Allure]

Love the photos.

I saw her perfoming and she definitely likes drama -she has a sense of stage-. Which, I guess, is good for an artist.

[WendyB]

That owl is big enough to star in a horror movie: "It Came From the Woods."

[Live Fabulously]

very lovely photos. owls always remind me of my ex from high school. he was obsessed w/them.

[enc]

I quite like that "look." If anyone can convince me that clowns aren't scary and evil, I'm all for it. The light quality is what I find really compelling.

[Becky]

It's so strange. I usually shy away from the hipster girls' love of owls and super-kitsch stuff like clowns, but I'm finding a lovely tranquil quality in these photos that I'm really responding to. Maybe I just need a giant hug from a big bird. Sesame Street always made that seem very comforting.

Becky.

[The Look]

You have a point Susie (and glad we are on the same page re Miu Miu last year).

But there's no escaping the font usage is there? That was the tipping point for us.

Oh and we like "frockling". What a great word!

[susie_bubble]

Hohoho..it's a combination of frock and frolicking....

[Make Do & Mend]

I've always loved Goldfrapp - Alison is a joy and the pictures you've displayed are fantastic except for the clown look - sorry can't get over my utter dislike of clowns, clown costumes Picasso harlequins or no Picasso but despite my aversion - what beauty she does excude!

[Rachel]

I LOVE alison goldfrapp, she is talented, quirky, fun, stylish, cute and a great singer to say the least. I love these photos and i LOVE the new album, its so beautiful

:D

[Leona]

I love this photo shoot, it's beautiful, she always has the best outfits!
ps: If you like momiji dolls, perhaps you could vote for me in the Don't Panic 'momiji' contest, of course only if you like mine :-)

http://www.dontpaniconline.com/designbrief/entry/?id=2749

[Maude]

i'm pretty sure this shoot was inspired by Wickerman??? definately looks like it.

[secret diary]

Yes! I love these photos too! Very circus collection...

the font of the album promo ads are so obvy inspired by Westwood. And i love it.

[miss woo]

As lovely as the clothes are, I'm conveting the giant owl woodwork..

[Drusilla]

I'm all for owls (Harry Potter etc associations abound), and they're even better if Alison Goldfrapp shares the frame...she's one of the music scene's great dressers-up..

[danielle]

i too, really loved that owl costume. i wonder who's inside. who? who? haha...

[Emily]

i absolutely love goldfrapp at the moment
the last picture does remind me of the miu miu collection

[creffield]

the styling and album are both wonderful - they are so adept at creating another world! - and maude, they were apparently influenced by The Wicker Man - another favourite!

I love this!

Have you seen the March issue of neetmagazine?
Some of the photographs have this feel.

[kirsty Rose]

i've been obsessed with this ethereal clown look for so long that someone actually spotted the cover of the new goldfrapp album and told me i'd probably buy it just for the pictures alone - i have many neck ruffs and also a extra long sleeve top (where the sleeves come down to the floor) which was made by an ex-clown.

i kinda love and hate that this look my kick off - because if it does there hopefully will be more harlequin/circus print items to buy but it will be naff as its a very unique look that i've never seen anyone famous in before..

the pictures are amazing.. i want the giant owl for my living room