We chat to Marion and Kath, of Bitching and Junkfood, a label which has garnered a cult following of celebrities that includes Rihanna, Rita Ora, Drew Barrymore and Ellie Goulding.
Firstly tell us how Bitching and Junkfood was conceived?
Kath and I moved to London from Australia and Ireland. Our path’s crossed when we started working in design and product development, Kath on garments and I on accessories. We had come to London full of passion, energy and ideas and we both felt our wings were clipped as employees of another company. We initially both launched separate labels but increasingly our ideas crossed over and we were being asked to work together on various things so we decided to join forces and go into business together.
Initially we just had a small online store stocking small runs of things we’d made and other niche labels. Our break came when we were approached by Lane Crawford in Hong Kong to do a salvaged denim range. Things quickly snowballed which has led to our fully manufactured label now stocked internationally.
What has been your career path up until this point?
I studied History of Art and Kath Fashion design before working in various buying ,design and product development rolls.
Who is the Bitching and Junkfood girl?
She’s strong, creative, opinionated, fearless and self aware. Ironically she’s not a bitch but she knows how to handle herself and command respect. When she talks people listen. She’s positive and empowered but not afraid to be herself. She’s creative and ambitious.
Where do you draw from when designing a collection?
Literally everywhere! You can find inspiration in anything. We’ve a keen interest in youth sub-cultures throughout the ages and have always had a massive interest in contemporary Art visiting exhibitions and referring to archives in designing our prints.
Kath is good with colour and I’ve a good eye for hardware embellishment and texture stemming from my accessories experience. We’re very eclectic and definitely have a more is more approach.
The key pieces from the latest collection?
Our custom screen printed sequin skirt and bra top and our signature bondage shorts which we’ll be evolving for the next collection, just you wait!
Who inspires you?
Any strong female is inspiring in some way but we love artists like Frida Kahlo and Tracy Emin. We are also massively inspired by our own bitchy girls who are doing great things in their own fields like Photographer Alis Pelleschi, designer Brooke Roberts who just spoke for TED talks and owner of our fave Aussie concept store Estate of Mind, Silvie Cornu. You can find inspiration in beautiful random people – my next door neighbour Amy is 85, she lives on her own, she has a blue rinse and every day religiously puts on her shimmery purple eye shadow. Yesterday she was out cutting her hedge full of the joys like a twenty year old. She hasn’t any great art or fashion achievements to her name but her independence and her general outlook on life is hugely inspirational.
What are the three items you just can’t leave the house without?
Marion: My Cocker Spaniel Pepsi, my Alexander Wang Backpack, I’d love to say my phone but I loose it all the time, hmmm… I guess my Bubble-gum Et Encense perfume by Etat Libre D’orange…
Kath: My Staffie Pepper, Paw Paw and a water bottle.
Favourite bloggers?
There’s so many great ones emerging all the time now. We love Audrey Kitching, Ruby Gloom, Madeline Pendleton, Robyn the Bank, Judy Choo, Lua P, Queen Michelle, Love Aesthetics.
Career highlights?
This year was a big one – we moved into our very own custom designed arch space right in the middle of Hoxton. It’s a home away from home. Seeing all the amazing bitches that have worn our clothes over the last few years, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Kelis and CL from 2NE1 etc. In the bigger picture just being able to say that we have a label stocked in some of the top stores worldwide is pretty big.
What can we expect from you in 2013
2013 is almost over and its been a whirlwind, we’re currently designing our SS14 collection and itching to drop AW13. We’re super excited to be re-introducing jewellery into our collection, pushing ourselves a lot harder with more textiles, prints and details. We’ve a few more gems up our sleeves but you’ll have to wait to see
If you could have breakfast with anyone in the world, alive or dead who would it be and why?
Marion: Tracey Emin. I’ve always been a big intrigued by her personally but thought she was a bit of a show pony(she’s pretty rock n roll and yeah she is a show pony). I didn’t really respect her work until I reviewed her exhibition at the Tate last year. The brutal honesty permeating her work is gut wrenching so I’m just a bit fascinated by that when everyone usually goes to great lengths to protect themselves. She also seems like lots of fun and a bit of a laugh – I’m sure we’d be having champagne and orange juice. I imagine it would be a decadent affair.
Kath: Karl Lagerfeld. I’m addicted to Diet Coke so no breakkie for me, we’d just share a Diet Coke with his face on it
Check out a peek at the Bitching and Junkfood Spring Summer 2013 campaign or head HERE to shop the label!
2 Comments
Great interview.
nice styling