To Cornwall and Beyond.....

So as this last 6 months has been a bit hectic in our camp I decided that to design AW12 I needed to get out of the smoke and head towards some green stuff. I ended up in Cornwall with non other than my dad, who has now convinced himself of the key role he plays in inspiring each collection....I have entertained this notion previously but this season is different and indeed there may be a Captain Pugwash print coming your way soon...along with a Cornish Pasty one...maybe.

So here are a few snapshots of our inspirational inspiration trip....


Night 1: Dad and I are staying in a gorgeous little pub by the sea. It so happens that one of his long lost buddies lives in the village and is running a Ukulele practice session the first night we arrive. Dad is in heaven and when the kazoos come out I feel that I may never be able to get dad to leave the village and Cornwall, ever.

Whilst having a post Jamming session beer, Pop is then accosted by another landlord and convinced to play at open mic night. Oh god. We turn up to an empty pub and quickly turn to leave, but dag nam it, we're spotted. Dad's up, but we must wait for the current act to finish. Lets call him Paul. Paul AKA Ross from friends, but worse. I controled myself. Dad did not. We had a plethera of "Youth today", "What has the world come to", "this is not Jazz", "What the hell is this" and so on. Anyway, although evidently not hard, dad stole the show and drank his free pint with pride whilst unleashing his old man dirty jokes on the unassuming victims at the bar.

Cracking start to Cornwall i'd say.

Day 2: Cliff walk


So I drag a reluctant dad from his bed, I detect a slight diva attitude after last nights antics but choose not to indulge him and we head off along the coast. Wow never seen scenery like it and we have the most wonderful walk for 3 hours, the only difficulties being an overenthusiastic Labrador who likes peering over cliff edges and clumsy father with a penchant for tripping up very close to said cliffs.


Anyway we make it to the next bay where we have been told that there is a village with buses that will take us home. There aint but never mind, dad chats up a couple of lifeguards who we have lunch with who give us a lift home.

Day 3:
St Ives - isnt there a tale about St Ives and Cats...?

Nothing to say apart from TOTALLY LUSH and wow, purple cauliflower...who knew?!?!


The Village from the harbour


The lighthouse



The PURPLE Cauliflower

From there we went onto the Cornish coal mines...
I saw this derelict one on our walk the day before and there was no going back. Off we went to Geevor Mines for an official tour. Wow.



Breathing Equipment

One of the buildings - a maze of metal infrastructure

Dad driving something...

Fascinating place and an equally sad story for all those who lost their jobs when the Cornish mining industry ceased operations.

Day 3:
Exploring the Lizard


The Lizard is the most southerly point of England and it is proper shipwrecksville. The fog enveloped the rugged cliffs as we approached and I lost myself in the world of smuggling and Piracy. Unbeknown to dad, for the duration of our walk I was ferocious smuggler, stopping at nothing to get my hands on the incoming Tea laden vessels.


So that kinda sums it up. We had the most wonderful trip and I got to hang out with my dad for a few days which is a massive bonus. I have tons of inspiration...too much even and I am merrily transforming into prints and clothes for you as we speak.

I love you Cornwall :-)