FAYALICE

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The collection 'Birdland' is named after a song by Patti Smith and designed and made during visit to New York City. Faye Smith, the designer behind the label 'Fay Alice' was intrigued by the city, and the many impressions which she gathered there during her three month long stay served as the inspiration for this collection. It was the subtle details of the city which interested Faye in particular and the nearly invisible aspects of a cityscape which often don't reveal themselves at first sight, but which make the city a magical place. Working with antique lace, glass beads, old buttons, as well as silks and cotton, she created elegant articles of clothing which reflect the beauty and fragility of a little bird as it makes its way though the metropolis. One exciting byproduct of her process was a series of eight drawings bearing the same title which incorporated many similar elements and further explored this theme. In some of the pieces Faye Smith has taken an almost collage making approach to her designing by sewing together many layers of lace to create a textile surface which is reminiscent of the feathery coat of a bird. The colors of the collection are primarily white and ecru which are then offset by hand dyed fabric pieces and colorful glass beads to create lively accents.

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About the Designer

Faye is based in Berlin, Germany. She studied at University of Westminster and graduated in 2006. Her collections are produced in Germany.

About The Label:
Fay Alice creates women’s fashion with a love for detail and an edgy touch.
The label was founded in London by designer Faye Smith. It has been based in Berlin since 2008.
Experiencing life in a new city has often been a rich source of inspiration for Faye as has been the choice to periodically limit ready-to-wear production to pursue her interests as a conceptual designer. Concentrating on creating one-of-a-kind pieces, as is the case with the present collection, Faye has gone back to her artistic roots and gave herslf the freedom to incorporate numerous vintage materials like antique lace and glass buttons, which she found in New York, in her new pieces.
Faye Smith grew up in Berlin’s district of Kreuzberg directly on the western side of the Berlin Wall. After completing an apprenticeship as a dressmaker she studied Fashion Design in Berlin for a couple years and later graduated from the University of Westminster in London. Before starting her own label ‘Fay Alice’ she worked in London for designers such as Robert Cary Williams and La Petite Salope, as well as for several costume designers. With ‘Birdland’ Fay Alice presents their fifth collection. The label is presently stocked by shops in England, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the USA.