Capturing the essence of the free-spirited Seventies comes naturally to British designer (and heir of an artistic dynasty) Bella Freud. From Alexa Chung and Jeanne Damas to Kate Moss, the international It-girl crowd is in awe of her poetically emblazoned knits, and so are we.
By Susan Devaney
Bella and Kate Moss at her store launch in London
How do you approach each new day in terms of styling your outfit?
Most days I tend to wear the same thing, partly out of laziness and partly because I like the same thing. I wear a pair of jeans with one of my jumpers. My outfit is pretty scruffy but if I wear it with a pair of wedges it suddenly looks more glamorous. Shoes have the power to transform the mood of your look more than anything else.
You’re elegant and cool but never ever overdressed, what’s the formula?
Well, that’s very nice of you to say. I am quite confident in wearing the same few things I like. I’m my own boss I don’t have to dress up for anyone or dress smartly. Smart dressing is quite deadening.
You have many stylish followers including Alexa Chung and Jeanne Damas, (in your opinion) what makes these girls cool?
These girls look cool because they are interested in life, not just clothes. They look like they don’t care too much about their look but have enjoyed putting it together – even if it only took five minutes.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
I once hit upon the phrase ‘upmarket irreverence’ – that’s what I’m aiming for, whether it’s dressed to the nines or going to the park with the dog.
What do you look for in the materials you use?
I look for a gleam, however hard to discern. I want the subtlest black knitted jumper to be imbued with an undercurrent of glamour. I love materials with a bit of punk-ish glamour.
Who and what influences your designs?
A couple of my girlfriends always trigger new thoughts and inspiration for designs, they wear things in a fresh and original way that is a joy to behold. I find inspiration is lurking everywhere, I get a lot of ideas from reading – words trigger visuals more than images.
What was the inspiration behind the ‘Ginsberg is God’ sweater?
Ginsberg is God was my first Word sweater. It started off when I was making a film about beatniks with John Malkovich. I wanted it to be like band merchandise 1950’s style.
Last year, your ‘1970’ sweater was one of the most coveted pieces of 2015, what influenced it?
A lot of the music I like is from the 1970s, I like the rawness and unpolished sound and look of that time. I like the word ‘1970’, it suggests something against the grain.
Your designs play with both femininity and masculine elements, has this always been your vision?
I was a tomboy growing up, I’ve always loved the straight lines of boys clothing, and the simplicity. I find a girl dressed boyishly is very feminine. As I am not very curvaceous myself I can relate to it easily and enjoy adding the girlish to the boy or the boyish to the girl in my designs.
Who do you think epitomizes a timeless sense of style today?
I think the way Kate Moss dresses is the most exciting and fun as she doesn’t stick to a formula, she often surprises us with something utterly new and seductive. She is not bound by constraints and seems glamorous in everything she puts together. It is quite awe inspiring.
Your aesthetic has a very British-meets-French girl appeal, has this been influenced by your life?
I have been a big fan of French films and I love the way French women are chic in whatever they do. They seem to imbue the most mundane activity with smouldering sexual tension under a veneer of polish. I love this combination! That mixed with British scruffiness is very alluring.
What’s next for 2016?
More!
