Take 5: Oliver Spencer Shares 5 Elements That Make His Runway Show Ingenious
We ask the designer about everything aside from the clothes.
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For Oliver Spencer’s SS17 show, the British designer decided to take us on a trip to his favorite summer destination — Casa Malaparte in Capri. The stunning Italian modernist piece of architecture is built upon a peninsula, with unparalleled views of the sea. This resulted in a range of modern and polished pieces, a clean and strong collection from the designer. Spencer said of the Oliver Spencer SS17 man, “[he's] a bohemian traveling guy, an artist at heart who likes his textures and loves his colors.” As for the colors, Spencer took from the stunning home’s natural surroundings, saying “I had the blue from the sea, while the villa is pink and yet red and changes and gets orange. And all of the greens came from the trees, so it was as simple as that.”
In our Take 5 series, we ask designers five questions pertaining to their show and collection — everything aside from the clothes. We delve into the five lifestyle areas that pertain to HYPEBEAST readers — everything from music to set design. Here is what Oliver Spencer told us.
What was the core inspiration for the collection? Was it meant to follow from last season’s offerings?
Our handwriting is a continually evolving thing. It’s very evident that our collection is Oliver Spencer doing spring summer so there are overtures of AW but in spring fabrications. My inspiration came from a house I saw when I was 18, the Casa Malaparte on the Island of Capri, Italy.
Can you tell us a bit about the soundtrack for this show? How does it complement the designs? Who are the artists featured?
We’re using a great mix of stuff. Easy Star all Stars, Mad Professor remix of Massive attack… Our sound track feels like summer to me, I wanted a dub beat. Which is great for the models to walk too, which is so important to me.
What kind of sensibility were you trying to evoke from this collection? How would you expect the audience to receive it?
Using the colours of the sea, foliage and rusts of the house ensures the feel of the collection is fresh and summery with a nod towards the 1950’s. I expect the audience to receive it as a fresh take on a 50’s inspired Mediterranean wardrobe.
Can you tell us a bit about the casting process? Why did you choose the models featured?
This season I’ve chosen a younger and cleaner group of guys to represent the collection best. There’s still some old favourites in there, Mark my postman, Dan Felton and Tom Pande who have all been in all my shows since the beginning, each of those guys have very different looks but it works for us.
Aside from the apparel, how did you arrange the set design? Were there additional accessories that accentuated the apparel/garments?
The set design is clean and completely showcases the clothing perfectly. Accessories that feature are our doctor’s bags, rucksacks, sunglasses and also scarfs, pocket squares and ties.
What show from LC:M would you have like to see from another designer?
I would like to attend Christopher Raeburn – love his work super nice guy
Click here to check out Oliver Spencer’s 2017 spring/summer collection.
