AGIHK hates Zara, oh well – she shops there as well but what is really the point of dressing like robots? What is the content of these clothes, where is the story? So she is browsing the web and she finds scarves that are printed with art from Daimon Downey and that are more than 1 meter x 1 meter, all limited editions. Read Frith Hucks interview about Bay and Fyfe and then pick your new liquid silk best friend.
FRITH, HOW WAS BAY & FYFE BORN AND WHEN?
It began as a wee idea I conjured up at my parent’s beach house in New Zealand during the Christmas holidays. I’m an avid amateur art collector and my mum had given me Dick Fizzell’s biography. The last couple of chapters were devoted to his art collaborations and how he’s extending his art into other areas of design and interiors. I’d just bought a new piece of art from Australian artist – Daimon Downey, and could see the potential in his work.
By the end of my holiday I’d cooked up an idea to try and use my commercial know how with talented artists and creative peeps, to see if we could collaborate together and make beautiful things.
With an idea in the bag I went all guns blazing to make it happen…. and Bay & Fyfe was born, and our first collaboration is about to be launched.
Amazing what a bit of salt air can do!
HOW DOES A SCARF COME TO LIFE?
It starts with the art. I have to be able to visualize the art on fabric and see in my mind how the art will blend with the drape and textures of the fabric.
The artist I’m currently collaborating with – Daimon Downey – has an impressive talent for mixed media art and off beat colour palettes. The minute I saw his work, I could see it draped around my neck.
For our first collection together, we selected a handful of his works from his recent exhibition – entitled Pastel Zoo – and I created colour palettes and style ideas from things I’ve collected over the years. A scarf from a fleet market in Zurich, a crazy nail polish colour, it all gets thrown in the mix. Daimon likens it to doing a school project, which is pretty true, given I’ve got no formal design training and sticky tape and magazine cut outs are my best friend.
The tricky part comes when I have to try and make what’s in my head a reality. It’s all well and good conjuring up these beautiful pieces of wearable art in my mind, but someone has to source the fabrics that give me the right drape and make it possible.
I have a wonderful production team, based here in Sydney. They get what I’m trying to do – that Hermes quality, a scarf that you’ll love and wear forever.
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE ARTISTS/DESIGNERS TO COLLABORATE WITH?
On instinct really.
ANYBODY FROM THE PRESENT OR THE PAST CAN WEAR YOUR PRODUCT, WHO DO YOU CHOSE AND WHY?
From the present it would have to be Dame Vivienne Westwood because I’ve always loved her design style. She rocks.
Then from the present it would be Jackie Kennedy Onassis. She just oozed style and sophistication. I’d love to think there was a little bit of Jackie O style in what we create.
YOUR VISUAL INSPIRATIONS:
That’s a tough one, because I get visual inspiration from so many things. I guess the biggest component of what inspires me is colour. I’m a big colour person. I get excited about great colours – especially off-beat combinations.
CAN WE BUY YOUR SCARVES ONLINE?
Yes! We also have a Bay & Fyfe Facebook page and we’d love anyone who buys a scarf from us, to post a picture and show us how they’re wearing it. http://www.bayandfyfe.com/index.php
WHAT IS NEXT FOR BAY AND FYFE?
The collaborations we do are long-term artistic partnerships.
We’ve got two new scarf collections planned with Daimon Downey – another silk series and a unisex collection of silk cashmere scarves. We’re also about to start designing some stunning furniture pieces with Daimon.
You’ll also see a new artists come onboard in the New Year. There are some really talented people out there who will hopefully jump on board and be part of the Bay & Fyfe collective.
Pictures courtesy of Bay & Fyfe, while all the material belongs to ©Agirlinhonghong.blogspot.com
