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Victoria Claire’s new collection is inspired by a woman called Shirley Mason who endured horrific child abuse at the hands of her own mother. “Sybil” is a book (later turned into a film) about the true story of this woman, who as a result of the abuse she received as a child, developed DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), out of this disorder 16 different personalities were born.
Upon reading this story Victoria developed a desire to raise awareness of the long term pain caused by such abuse. Recent features in the press about “Baby P” and the “Joseph Fritzell” case compelled Victoria Claire to do something different to raise awareness, and for Victoria her design work is one of the best ways to do that. Through the contacts she has made in the fashion, hair & beauty & music industry, she is able to bring fresh eyes to a cause that has become important to her through the medium of attire.
The only thread between these 16 various personalities that could link them all together was a need to paint to express their feelings. The paintings although varying in theme, colour and content all captured memories that had been suppressed by the various personalities, painting was the only place for the personalities to freely express their emotions, ranging from anger and fear to pain and freedom. “Blue is the colour of love” is one such creation and this painting became the muse for up & coming designer, and successful freelance stylist VICTORIA CLAIRE’s new knitwear range.
The debut collection is based upon a mixture of Victoria Claire’s interpretation of the paintings that were painted by all 16 different personalities of Shirley Mason’s. “Blue is the colour of love” which represents Miss Claire’s range is a sophisticated oxymoron of words, BLUE does not denote LOVE, as love equals warmth, and warmth is represented by the COLOURS orange and red. Blue it-self is a cold and unloving colour.
Victoria Claire has created 5 outfits to reflect 5 of the 16 personalities within Shirley Mason, which echo the idea of the paintings. Each one of them is completely different, for example: look number 5 “Mary Dorsett” a “grandmother” figure, is represented by a painting that Shirley Mason made portraying dancers with no mouths, hands or feet to discuss, reach out or run away from her abuse.
Look Number 1 - Victoria Antoinette Scharleau. She is the confident, sophisticated, self-assured and French speaking personality. The look is sophisticated by having the knee high skirt, there is an air of deception in that sophistication in that the cape appears heavy as though the clothing could possibly be weighing her down.
Look Number 2 – Vanessa. Vanessa is the childlike, dramatic and pretty personality. The dress conceals the hands in hidden pockets that don’t particularly look like pockets but are positioned deliberately in the area where your hands would naturally sit if you were standing rigged and nervous. In the photo is a shadow of the little girl, which resembles the childlike personality Sybil sees when she looks in the mirror, which Victoria has represented in the child like appearance of the of the adult themed dress.
Look Number 3 – Peggy. Lou is an assertive, aggressive and angry personality. The dress is made to look hostile in appearance by having the dress crocheted out of wire and gunmetal beads, which mirror different shades of blue in the light. The photograph is taken with multiple heads and her pose is tense yet irate to reflect an angry mood.
Look Number 4 Marcia Lynn. This is the suicidal and emotional personality. Concealing the hands with gloves, the poncho tunic is meant to be symbolic of her being restrained, and not being able to escape her problems. The structure of the knit is multiples of 16, which represent the 16 different personalities.
Look Number 5 Mary Dorsett. The grandmother of the bunch (as previously mentioned), is a safe and thoughtful personality. Mary projects a safety by an inability to express the true self, which Victoria represented by having no hands, feet or mouth in her creation. The stitch structure is again designed by multiples of 16’s so as to represent the different personalities.
Victoria Claire has freelanced as a stylist for mainstream companies such as “TONY & GUY,” publications such as PRIDE magazine and has worked on music video shoots ranging from Los Angeles to the UK. She has also styled artists such as SABRINA WASHINGTON (former lead singer with girl group MIS-TEEQ), & some of the ladies from”Britain's Next top Model.” Victoria has furthered her creative career by pursuing work experience & training in Paris, Hong Kong, China and for designers such as Vivienne Westwood.
Some of Miss Claire’s swatches have also been used by WGSN for future Trend forecasting packs. VICTORIA CLAIRE is already well respected in her field and in constant demand, catch her while her star is rising.
Press Release written by Paris Antoine for Sweet Malevolence Creations 2009-Email: Paris.AntoineCR@googlemail.com
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