AW13 Press Release

This winter Book of Deer delves deep into the depths of Scottish sealore and takes a swim with the selkies. Selkies are mythological creatures that take the form of seals until they emerge from the water to fall in love with hapless fishermen. Book of Deer’s AW13 ‘Selkie and Sea’ draws inspiration from these tragic love stories, translating nautical motifs and coastal landscapes onto wearable 1960s silhouettes and floaty tops. The collection spins a personal tale with imagery and inspiration taken from the designer Eilidh Ho’s own holidays up the east coast of Scotland.

Within an aquatic palette of sea foam and Atlantic blues you’ll find miniature Aran jumpers, bobbing seals and embroidered seahorses. A sailor’s oil painting taken from Eilidh’s seafaring grandfather’s house transforms the surfaces of navy kilts and silky-soft smock tops. Hand-drawn illustrations peek out of windows on sweatshirts and decorate bishop sleeves on feminine blouses. Biro drawings of islands scattered in a vast ocean decorate shift dresses like a willow pattern. Book of Deer invites you into a world submerged in folklore and fantasy, tinted blue with the colours of mist and melancholy. This collection is for hopeless romantics with an icy cool attitude.