Zoey and Brian started Boudicca in 1997. They both studied their BA’s at different times at the royal college of art. Whilst at university you created an identity for yourself but never learnt about business.
They met in the 90’s and both agree that they were both quite naïve when starting their business. Their third show was called System Error. They had to take out a loan to buy a mac to complete all of the graphics and images for this. The garments in this show had hidden tunnels within it, giving the feeling of needing to be held. For this show they used only 1 model for all 13 outfits. They had 1 minute to change her in and out of outfits. This was a unique thing to be done in a collection show. The hairstyle that they used represented Queen Christina, who was a warrior queen – these ghosts fascinate Boudicca.
They met in the 90’s and both agree that they were both quite naïve when starting their business. Their third show was called System Error. They had to take out a loan to buy a mac to complete all of the graphics and images for this. The garments in this show had hidden tunnels within it, giving the feeling of needing to be held. For this show they used only 1 model for all 13 outfits. They had 1 minute to change her in and out of outfits. This was a unique thing to be done in a collection show. The hairstyle that they used represented Queen Christina, who was a warrior queen – these ghosts fascinate Boudicca.
This collection was showing clothes as a sexual attraction – tension, crave for touch, awkward, unknown whether it’s male or female. The collections were only majorly selling in America so they made a huge decision to move to New York. Another exciting venture happening for Boudicca was being an invited member as an independent company to the couture shows in France. For these shows they could spend anything up to 2-3 days making shoulder pads. This work was technically challenging but fabric and prices weren’t an object. They would look at the smell of a place, the look and feel etc. to decide where to hold the shows. They completed 2 couture shows but couldn’t afford to fund a 3rd!
Another venture that Boudicca has been working on is animation. They believe that this is not to be restricted. They like this way of working because you can use any materials including paper, card, tissue etc. Another reason that this works for Boudicca is because they aren’t scared to try new things because you’re not spending huge amounts of money. It also doesn’t have to be technically correct as long as it photographs well.
The tornado dress – 2009, to make this animation they built up a dress out of paper and cut parts of it away whilst filming using a motion sense camera.
Another venture that Boudicca has been working on is animation. They believe that this is not to be restricted. They like this way of working because you can use any materials including paper, card, tissue etc. Another reason that this works for Boudicca is because they aren’t scared to try new things because you’re not spending huge amounts of money. It also doesn’t have to be technically correct as long as it photographs well.
The tornado dress – 2009, to make this animation they built up a dress out of paper and cut parts of it away whilst filming using a motion sense camera.
Boudicca was invited to do an exhibition at Kensington Palace – dresses the colour of time in 2010. They created 4 metal creatures that hung from the ceiling on the chandeliers and spun.
Another exhibition that they did was at the Royal Opera House – just tell the truth. For this they filmed ballet dancers dancing whilst being wrapped in the lightest fabric in the world – this cost £2000 for 10m!! They also strapped charcoal and paint to their feet whilst they danced to trace the movement.
One of my favourite projects that they did was in 2002 when they made their perfume – Wode. In history the highest warriors wore wode. It was made from a specific type of leaf that turns blue when sprayed but then disappears. They worked with this theory and made the first coloured perfume!
Although there work is fantastic they do it for the love of it. Making different things each day and not doing the same as everyone else comes with a price of being financially unstable!!