I’ve been working hard over the last few weeks on a new collection of shirts.  The Dandy & Rose style has been evolving and I think these five new shirts capture it perfectly.

Joy and Sorrow

This dandy ruffled shirt is made from a stunning fabric from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter collection called ‘Joy and Sorrow’. Liberty say that the collection was inspired by William Morris’ poem ‘The Earthly Paradise’ and explores the senses that inspired Morris as he took in the world around him. Then – and this is a bit of a leap that I’m not sure about – this particular print is at least partly designed by the tattoo artist Mo Capoletta. Morris and tattoos are not something that I normally associate with each other, but anyway the print is exquisite. It’s a darkly gothic contemplation of the Liberty style that incorporates peacock feathers, strings of pearls and alarmed looking, but stunningly coloured, birds on a midnight blue background. I love it.

Instead of the usual snaps, I have used grey pearl buttons as a fastener, to reflect the pearls depicted in the print.

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Wendy Woo

I’ve posted about this print before – it’s a real favourite, featuring fans, ribbons and birds. These two new shirts are given an extra twist by the perfect pattern matching (no really, it was nothing!)

The blue shirt has double rows of stitching to help you know the yokes and pockets are there. I’ve kept it simple apart from the three coral snaps at centre front.

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Its grey partner is piped in softest dove, with facings and smile pockets in the same colour.

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Amelia Star

A few weeks ago, I posted pictures of a shirt I made in the grey colourway of this print. I had spotted this purple and lime version in the shop and couldn’t get it out of my mind. In the end I just had to buy a piece and here’s the result. Again, pattern matching, double topstitching and, this time, two contrast snaps.

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Storm

Finally, this powerful print took my eye – and my breath – when I was buying fabrics recently. Designed for Liberty by the graphic artist Storm Thorgerson for their 2011 range, it was based on his  cover art for the Australian band Powderfinger’s 2009 album  ‘Golden Rule’. Thorgerson, who died earlier this year, was perhaps best know for his design for Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of The Moon’. Liberty also have a design based on its iconic prism design. Hmmmm…

There are no western details on this shirt and it fastens with simple matt black buttons. The print is so strong, I felt that all I wanted to do was ‘frame’ it with black button bands, collar and cuffs.

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