Judy Blame, a London icon
I could be wrong, but I had the sneaking feeling that some of the 20-year-old bloggers at the Judy Blame X Jo Malone London breakfast were wondering, “who’s that funny fellow sat at the end of the table tangled up in ribbons and buttons?” I, on the other hand was a little too thrilled.
Judy Blame is of course, the brilliant jewellery-designer-slash-stylist-slash-80s-icon whose bricolage-luxe aesthetic has had wide reaching influence across the fashion-sphere. All credit to Jo Malone London for picking a genuine creative to partner with for its latest collaboration, in which two products of your choice can be packed in a specially Judy-designed box.
Using London’s Pearly Kings and Queens as inspo, Judy’s boxes are adorned with a print of buttons shaped like hearts or crowns which also nod to his own buttons and haberdashery obsession. As an extra bonus, you also get one of Blame’s handcrafted ribbon and button pins, which itself is dripping with little black safety pins, his post-punk DIY trademark.
So why did Jo Malone work with Judy Blame rather than say, a recognised ‘influencer’ with a gazillion Insta followers? “Jo Malone London celebrates the best of British culture; our fragrances are intricately crafted in England and our candles are hand-poured. So these creative collaborations celebrate the artisanal spirit that lies at the heart of the brand, none more so than legendary London designer Judy Blame,” said the PR statement.
Over tea and button-shaped biscuits, Judy told me all about his favourite Jo Malone fragrances (Oud & Bergamot and “the lime one”), his forthcoming book and exhibition and his social media strategy. “It was so hard editing the book! I’ve just got soooo much stuff, it’s everywhere. Boxes of it, I’ve kept everything.” Kim Jones is publishing it via his imprint, Slow Loris. “He’s been a great help with editing it, and doing the exhibition has helped too.” Oh yes, the exhibition. Judy Blame: Never Again is at the ICA from 29th June – 4th September 2016, a ‘montage’ of his life’s craft-driven, collaborative work, encompassing everything from iconic editorial shoots, to clothes, sketchbooks, collages and, of course, jewellery. (Do watch this interview, Judy’s a great storyteller…)
For more insight, you’d do well to check out his Instagram, a brilliant moodboard of off-beat imagery (it’s set to private, so you’ll have to request a follow) serving as part of his creative research. But he clearly has issues editing that. As his agent reprimands, “You post too often. You’re not meant to post more than three times a day!”
The limited edition Judy Blame for Jo Malone London box is available with two products of your choice, exclusively from Selfridges and Jo Malone Regent Street.
WORDS AND IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
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7 June, 2016 @ 4:11 pm
Hello Navaz, I just loved your piece about Judy Blame. He’s always been a hero of mine and what genius for Jo Malone to partner with him. What an inspiration! I only wish these goodies were available here in the US.
7 June, 2016 @ 4:16 pm
Ah I know, it’s such a lovely collaboration. Maybe you’re due a London visit…!!