Store Mother of Pearl

Brand's DNA. The mass media dubbed the concept behind Mother of Pearl as post-sports and sports-luxe. To call their mostly feminine silhouettes 'sportswear' would be to strain the meaning of the word, however. Even their sweatshirt collars are decorated with ruches and the like. The minimalist pieces are enlivened not only by romantic detailing but also by understated prints appropriate for sportswear. The prints are among the most important key to the success of Mother of Pearl. Each new season brings a new collab with contemporary visual artists (Francesco Simeti, Gary Hume, and Jim Lambie) that strives to marry fashion to (the British flavour of) contemporary arts.

Chic. Absolutely. SIlhouettes, prints, and the brand concept itself are all utterly zeitgeisty in the fashion world and well beyond it. The collections and prints by Amy Powney, who's now the label's Creative Director, are informed by the fashion of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The references, however, are very subtle and can be fully appreciated only by those in the know.

Pricing. Dresses cost about £1,000; sweatshirts are £500; trousers are £800.

Corporate history highlights. Mother of Pearl is a British label founded in 2002 by Maia Norman, who succeeded in formulating the brand's vision of a sportswear label inspired by contemporary arts. In 2015, however, the brand was revamped, and Amy Powney (a former Design Director at Mother of Pearl) took over the leadership. She's drastically shifted the focus to prints, her area of undisputed expertise. Mother of Pearl showcased their collection at London Fashion Week for the first time in 2014.

.