Plumage is incredibly important for birds. It’s not just about the effectiveness of feathers to keep them warm and dry; it’s also about attracting partners, fitting in (camouflage) or standing out.
A peacock strutting its stuff is little different to the teddy boys, the Mods, rockers, punks and new romantics. It’s all image and attitude. Two fashion designers who not only feed this need but also set new trends are the subjects for today’s #NestboxAuction blog.
Darlington born Giles Deacon wanted to be a marine biologist when he was at school in the Lake District, but life took him along another path and the rest as they say is history. His designs are noted by critics for their confidence and wit, rather like the ‘naughty box’ he’s designed for the RSPB, which you can own by bidding for it here.
When it comes to attitude, the movement that shook the world was punk. Fans have grown older and many put their body-piercing safety pins to good use on nappies. They're now the generation exploring new genres with the same irreverent approach, giving us punk folk, punk art and punk gardening; all typified by the shock of the new in otherwise familiar settings.
Dame Vivienne Westwood is the queen of this scene. Feted and loved for her cutting-edge designs which always turn heads further and faster than that of an owl tracking a tasty vole. She’s puzzled by her own success and is on record pondering “..how a working-class girl like me could possibly make a living in the art world.”
She has always enjoyed "… seeing if one could put a spoke in the system". In the post Sex Pistols band Public Image Ltd, John Lydon famously trilled “Anger is an energy”, whether it’s anger, passion or sheer ebullience, Dame Vivienne injects energy in to everything she does. She admits she was ‘driven’ to set-up Climate Revolution and we believe her passion and attitude shines in the nestbox she’s created for our auction.
You can own this one-off collectable by bidding for it here.
Our #NestboxAuction is in partnership with the British Fashion Council and you can view and bid for all eleven celebrity designer nestboxes online or see the real things at The Shop at Somerset House until this coming Sunday.
You get a priceless designer artwork and we get much needed money to fund conservation work, supporting UK wildlife and landscapes.