Building on the success of their Spring/Summer 2009 debut season, Ascension’s Autumn/Winter collection celebrates the same clean lines and ageless eco-chic style. Ascension has successfully united ethical credentials with fashion aware, feminine designs and given each piece a distinct modern edge. The result is an inspired, contemporary capsule collection of 35 pieces starting at an affordable £29 for a polo-neck up to £159 for a coat.
Inspired by the Middle East and Orientalist 19th century paintings, in-house designer Sury Bagenal has created soft, romantic shapes including billowy blouses and loose, easy-to-wear tunics that layer perfectly for maximum wear. Beautiful rich colours of dusty berry, Persian teale, pebble and black anchor the collection whilst the warm colours of gold and pomegranate add accents.
Designs have evolved around the artisanal skills that infuse the collection. All fairly-traded of course. Regional Gujariti stitches nestle amongst extraordinary hand-work by SEWA; a women’s union and cooperative in Gujarat, India. Meticulous hand embroidery and time-honoured Indian cutwork, skills passed down from mother to daughter, adorn necklines like modern jewellery. Traditional hand tailoring is applied to jackets and trousers by Mr Dipak Pariya and his team in a small workshop in Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries.
“The key piece for the A/W 09 season is the overblown billowy shirt. I’m also thrilled with our cropped tailored jacket that will be a great individual piece. Most exciting of all is that we have been able to produce a gorgeous print this season which pulls all the rich colours of the collection together “. Sury Bagenal.
Sustainable, ethically sourced fabrics are truly exceptional. Organic cotton voile billows softly whilst fluid bamboo jersey drapes effortlessly. The finest organic cotton, made in the same place it’s grown. Luxurious peace silk is dyed with pure vegetable dyes in rich colours and organic knits are chunky as well as fine.
The provenance and integrity of Ascension’s Own-Label collection is infused in its fabrics and in the detail of the hand-work. The ageless, covetable and modern designs provide opportunity, give hope and can offer a future. Ascension is redefining ethical fashion. |
