Once again transforming The George Tavern into an enchanted wonderland, Sophie Spratley kicks off fashion week with a catwalk for her SS26 collection, ‘Zest for Life’. Her knitwear brand ‘rabbit’ is no stranger to the iconic East London venue, as the designer is known for hosting runways that morph into gigs celebrating the intertwined worlds of fashion and music.
Commencing with a tale of lemon juice saving someone from death via snake poison— “its powerful aid unbinds the mutter’d spell, and frees the victim from the draught of hell” —the collection dwells on finding strength in the gentle and joyous. With nature, community and slow-craftsmanship at the core of Spratley’s work, models gavotte down a cobblestone runway in garments dotted with lemons and daisies—motifs of protection and perseverance.
Plush ribbons and bouquets of baby’s breath adorn the pub’s interior, as the smell of sweet incense fills the room. rabbit offers a space for fairytale escapism whilst acknowledging the reality it exists in, as Spratley pledges to create just one collection a year going forward. In an industry that promotes overconsumption and overworking, finding freedom in savouring the simple things evince her desire towards slow-fashion and prioritising personal growth.
Featuring a curation of artists that encapsulate the mood of the garments, the role of music speaks to a powerful catharsis alongside the fashion. Performances from Rosie Alena, an Opus Kink redux, Evelyn Gray and a Mary in the Junkyard solo set provide the perfect backdrop for tulle dresses, flowing Godet skirts and delicate hand-painted designs. Alena’s folk-inspired vocals soundtrack the runway as she opens the show in a baby pink dress beneath a delicate empire-waisted bodice fastened with silk ribbons. Ethereal yet resilient, her voice blends in perfectly amongst the shimmering pale blues and zingy yellows that represent the stead-fast nature of knight’s armour and piercing life against austerity. Alena’s effortless elegance captures the pastoral atmosphere of the collection, epitomised by the bittersweet instrumentals.
As the final walk through of lush gowns and effervescent knitwear closes, the night is only just beginning. Angus Rogers enters the stage, the frontman of art-punk band Opus Kink. Acoustic guitar strapped to his chest, he wears a simple cream t-shirt embellished with Spratley’s hand-painted designs—most prominently a majorelle blue winged-bat beneath the words “FREEDOM” — with arm-cuff ribbon tassels that cascade around his arms as he plays. The crown-like cap on his head playfully contrasts the moody tone of the set, shrouded in sombre red lighting, as he sings Leonard Cohen-esque tales of sweet mundanities.
Evelyn Gray’s distinctive vocals permeate the room, as the former frontwoman of indie-folk ensemble Tapir! plays next. Enticing you further into an idyllic daydream with poignant violins and the soft plucking of a banjo, Gray wears a black smock dress with white, vintage lace pockets that pop against the plain cotton. The simplicity reflects on finding light in even the darkest places, complementing the tender intimacy of the set that’s accentuated by her sincere lyricism. A slender green knitted scarf wraps around the neck of the seated musician, a charming touch alongside gently ruched knee-high socks.
As the closing act of the night, Clari Freeman-Taylor, the vocalist of experimental-rock band Mary in the Junkyard, implores the audience to sit down. The crowd transforms into cross-legged children listening intently to sung stories of whimsical wonderlands and mouse companions. A fitting scene of innocence, complete with Freeman-Taylor’s double-skirted dress that boasts puffed sleeves protruding from a square neckline. Bat-like crown atop her head, she enchants with such delicate vocals accompanied only by the gentle strumming of acoustic guitar—a soothing lullaby to conclude an evening of mellow revelry.
Spratley’s imagination continues to construct worlds where utopias can exist, pushed forward by the ethos at its core: “long live independents, long live community”.
Photos by Willow Shields