Winter fox

Claire Barker’s AW11 collection ‘Reynard’ is inspired by the original stories of Reynard the fox by such authors as Goethe and Chaucer featuring a whimsical fox whose colours come through in the collection along with touches of cashmere and fur…

Claire Barker’s AW11 collection ‘Reynard’ is inspired by the original stories of Reynard the fox by such authors as Goethe and Chaucer featuring a whimsical fox whose colours come through in the collection along with touches of cashmere and fur.

Barker says she was captivated by the stories and poems about this cheeky but loveable character living in the forests and countryside surrounding the small villages.

She designed her Reynard collection with a soft toy fox sitting on her desk beside her helping her to capture the images and colours of Reynard’s natural environment with its ever watchful bright onyx and amber eyes closely watching and in a way guiding everything she did.

Thread loves the tailored designs of Claire Barker, particularly in her coats.

Below: Two foxy styles of coats from this winter’s Reynard collection.

Fabrics include cashmere and alpaca with silk and bamboo fibres woven into the softest knits. The colour palette ranges from forest grays and browns to red, pale azure and indigo blues, snow creams and delicate peach.

This AW11 collection once again also draws inspiration from the swinging sixties. Below: a pant suit in a gray patterned wool and silk weave highlighted with mountain flower edelweiss styled buttons and a burgundy jacket.

Her tribute to the looks of the early 1960’s is seen in her flowing capes and well-cut, always feminine blouses, skirts and dresses.

The Reynard collection showcases Claire Barker’s love of detailing with belts, buttons and her fox and rabbit fur cuffs and collars.

Claire Barker aims to make affordable yet luxurious fashion without compromise. Thread is always impressed with the level of craftmanship and finishing she puts into her garments, such as the ruffles on this green winter dress worn with tights, and scalloping on the hems and neckline in the outfits below.

If you love feminine, classical fashion, you definitely shoudl check it out- either in her inner city Auckland boutique, or shop online at www.clairebarker.co.nz.

Claire Barker
3a O’Connell Street
Auckland City
Ph 09 309 3331

By Megan Robinson, 30 January 2011.