JOINING forces with iconic British brand Mulberry, Stefan Cooke debuted its spring-summer 2024 Away collection on the first day of London Fashion Week.
The design duo, having previously looked to America for design inspiration for their autumn-winter 2023 collection, followed suit with the latest seasonal offering. An array of American football references presented themselves through subtle detailing and exemplified the departure from previous, traditional brand codes.
Vintage rugby jerseys, quarterback silhouettes and allusions to foam fingers demonstrate the ways in which Cooke and Burt have elevated conventional sportswear. Additionally, well-loved baseball caps adorned models’ heads as they paraded down the runway – a further indication of the stadium-inspired aesthetic of the collection.
Despite the focus on sporty motifs throughout the collection, Cooke also explores durability, practicality and adaptability. Military medical coats have been re-imagined in a new British Milleraine waxed cotton to highlight their strength and longevity.
Departing from their notorious slashed-patterned jumpers, plaid ponchos are adorned with leather-covered studs in an ode to nostalgia and comfort. Meanwhile, a new SC monogram appears boldly on a white t-shirt dress, ushering in a new era for the brand.
By creating a bespoke collection with Mulberry, the design duo further demonstrate their irrefutable talent for up-cycling and deconstruction. Unveiling a series of 27 pre-loved, reworked bags, the collection underlines the importance of sustainability and low-impact manufacturing for the two iconic brands.
Channelling four of Stefan Cooke’s key design codes – Bows, Swing, Braid and Slash – the bags embody the well-loved values of the brand. Embellished with tassels made from up-cycled rugby shirts and Mulberry silk scarf straps, the collection is bound to be widely successful.
Speaking on the collaboration, Cooke said: “We love the idea of reworking and refining pre-loved bags, and bringing a new level of history to designs with an exceptional level of craft. It’s amazing to be working with and being part of a history of a brand that we’ve found aspirational for such a long time. This feels like a real marriage of ideas and a new blueprint in terms of pre-loved design”.
by Sophie Richardson
The capsule will be available to buy at Mulberry’s pop-up shop which will be open from the 16th of September for 9 days on Poland Street in Soho, London. Prices will start from £1195 for an exclusive Mulberry x Stefan Cooke bag.