Phoebe overhears Will and I talking about togas. “Togas? You’re having a bit of a gay-in today aren’t you?” This comment comes in reference to an earlier conversation Will and I had about intimate hair removal products. Sorry Phoebe, but a boy’s got to do what a boy’s got to do. “No, Phoebe,” I assure her. “This is work related. Wonderful fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood is celebrating the toga”. A collective “ooh” ensues from downstairs. Yes, everyone’s favourite dame is honouring the roman garm in her latest project – commissioning a number of creatives to interpret the Roman garm in their own way from Luke Clayton Thompson, Eleanor Hardwick, Dream Wife, Glacier Girl to Lee Bridgman are all taking part, with photography from Amanda Charchian, Daisy Walker and James Robjant. But, you know Viv, these aren’t just your basic white sheet and safety pin jobbies, no, these are intricate, labour intensive works of fashion art, first shown in the AW16 MAN show and following Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood collection. “In essence it is an elasticated rectangle of fabric that has been hand laced with a strip of organza to close it around the body & legs but leaving it open from below,” the people at Vivienne Westwood explain. “The fabric is then covered with sequins, hand stitched one by one”. And, in keeping with the ethos of the season, the togas are also genderless – so both boys and girls can enjoy the airy brilliance of wearing what is essentially a loosely draped dress. Finally. Those involved will be sharing the fruits of their creative loins across their social channels over the next five days. And, if you wish to get the look, a number of togas will be arriving into selected Vivienne Westwood shops in the next few months. Toga-tastic.
