CuriouScope first creeped up on the Glasgow fashion scene last year, premiering her first collection at Nightwalk in a flurry of candy coloured leathers, scalloped collars and pastel furs. Headed by young art school graduate Jocelyn Copeland, CuriouScope’s forte is creating easy to wear designs with an edge.
Unlike other designers who sometimes will work with an abstract girl in mind, Copeland instead wanted to created pieces that she wanted to wear (I’ve definitely heard of worse ways to design a collection) – focusing on simple elegant shapes with playful attention to detail. Her latest collection “The Girl With The Most Cake” launches at somewhereto_re:store Glasgow on the 27th of August. Natch I needed to hear all about it.
So gurl – tell me a bit about how it all began?
I graduated the Glasgow school of art in 2010 with a BA honours in embroidery. Then went onto do a HND in fashion technology
where I obtained the skills to turn my fabric into garments.I felt that in the current economy you have to kind
of create a job for yourself. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to
be a fashion designer. The brand came about quite organically, I was
getting asked a lot to make garments for people. I spent a summer making
garment after garment which turned into a collection. It all went from
there really.
Could you talk me about your design process?
Initially I will do a trend report which gathers
information about certain fabrics/fastenings/colour palettes I want to
use. I do some sketches (which I can send to you if you like) and head
out to local fabric suppliers to find the fabrics I’m looking for. Then I
start to make the pattern from the sketch I have draw, sometimes the
ideas tend to change but I think that’s all in the process. Once the
garments have been made I will look for photographers I admire and see
what they think about shoots locations etc then come up with a mood
board.
Who inspires you?
Definitely people on the street of Glasgow/New
York/London. I have very close connections with New York so that is a
huge inspiration for me in terms of vibe/feeling/what people are
wearing. Designers have a part in my process too. Alexander McQueen,
Issey Miyake, erdem, Christopher Kane. I also think its very important
to be aware of the amazing talented designers that we have right on my
door step in Glasgow. They are very inspiring to me in terms of what
they are up to and how well they are doing, keeps me pushing forward
that success can happen!
So spill – tell me more about the new collection?
This collection is very different from my last! I
wanted to make things more wearable and not just editorial! Lots of
pencil and skater skirts, leather, pvc, tartans, dying, dogtooth and
fur. Colour palette is black and primary colours. Felt like I was going
back to my roots on this one. Dark and edgy. We came up with the name
the girl with the most cake and I think that really nailed it!
What would you say are the main influences behind it?
Kind of 90s kitsch, androgenist edge while still
remaining feminine and girly. I always like to keep some Scottish
heritage in my autumn/winter collections by using tartan as well!
Do you have a favourite piece?
Yes, I love the red leather pencil skirt, the tartan
shorts and the leather fringed jacket, also the dogtooth jacket! I have
really tried to make sure that every piece in this collection I would
love to wear so I’m finding it quite hard to pick a favourite!
Real talk – who’s your favourite designers?
Alexander McQueen, erdem, holly Fulton, Louise Gray.
I’ve actually taken a lot of inspiration from Victoria Beckhams line to
get some lovely simple silhouettes.
Why do you think it’s important to still produce in Scotland?
I think it’s really important to show that we can
still produce and export fashion in Scotland. Glasgow is one of the most
inspiring cities and there are so many opportunities and support for
young designers here. I love that you can be in the hussle and bussle of
the city one minute and be in the middle of nowhere in the countryside
the next! So much inspiration.
Right – where does the name CuriouScope come from?
Well it all came about after having a discussion with
my friends. I wanted my brand to sound quite ethereal and quirky. We
came up with a few names but curious scope seemed to stick. It’s a
complete coincidence that it sounds like curious cope which could be
seen as being short for Copeland. I kind of like that though.
And finally – where can a sista hook herself up with some sweet CuriouScope?
It is available to pre order on the Tuesday (27th August) after the
fashion show and then all day weds at the somewhereto_re:store Glasgow store. For people who can’t
get down to see it, it will be going live on asos marketplace on Friday
30th August.
So if you’re Glasgow bound and at a loss of something to do on a Tuesday night you can head down to DNA 12-16 South Fredrick Street (just off George Square) to the somewhereto_ re:store hub for her collection launch at 7pm (more info here.) Fine, fresh, fierce clothes and wine. Most definitely wine. Can’t wait to get all in about it. Faux fur cape and hunners of plaid? I am ready for it!
All photos by the phenomenal Christina Riley who you can also find on facebook here.