Gangs, garlands, death and creation: for their SS 11 range, Ribbon Around a Bomb, Company of Strangers have found inspiration in the vibrancy and violence of Mexico and the work of the country’s most iconic daughter, Frida Kahlo.
Floaty hemlines, sheer panelling and body skimming shapes perhaps make this Aspinall’s most feminine collection to date, but she still manages to sneak in sense of androgyny through oversize cuts, masculine jackets and subversive details. Stand-out pieces from the range include the Self-Portrait Dress, an A-line smock with clever panelling that forms a heart shape over the chest, and the dramatic Embrace vest, which wraps around the body almost like passionate clinch.
