Liv Tyler on her new Belstaff collection and dressing for pregnancy
The charming, breathy voiced, American actress (who is currently pregnant with her third child, the second with fianc??David Gardner) spent the third day of London Fashion Week in what can only really be described as a rather glamorous cave (in the crypt of the deconsecratedchurch, One Marylebone), as she presented her first ever 12-piece capsule collection for Belstaff, which will be available to buy in September.
Consisting of a few key refined classics - the perfect lace up under-the-knee riding boots, sweetly studded satchel bags, a lightweight leather jacket, pale hued pretty pussy-bow blouses, military-tinged overcoats and shearling lined parkas - Tyler worked closely with Belstaff creative director, Delphine Ninous taking inspirations from the 1920s piloting pioneer Amelia Earheartto create herideal wardrobe.Here"s the top line from the woman herself:
It"s about stylish longevity rather than seasonal trends"On film sets, the costume department often rent items, and there will often be a 30-year-old Belstaff jacket in there for someone.They just get better with age.I always knew they were timeless pieces, that weren"t of a fashion trend of the moment but a real investment buy.Something that"s so good you can pass it onto your kids, and grandkids and be a part of your family."
The initial design process sounds ideal"We started with just sitting down and me saying what my dream pieces are.The things I have always wanted to make or something that I have but I don"t exactly love the fit of.I was literally like, I"ve always wanted boots like this, a bag like this, this sort of a coat... so we did it like that."
The design team stalked her... sort of"Delphine made inspiration boards, most of them were when they"d taken pictures of me say, walking the dog or taking Milo (her eldest son) to school.They were just taken off the internet, and they would create a look around it with vintage Belstaff and historical images.It was so sweet, and through that I had certain images or ideas that I would want to create."
She feels more comfortable getting dressed when she"s pregnant"I try and stretch out my own clothes as much as possible.I live in Wolford tights, good boots and loose sweater dresses.It"s probably the only time I feel really comfortable being able to wear tight things very confidently, without worrying.You feel very plump and robust, but good about it.No one makes you feel bad about being fat.Normally, everybody wants you to be a certain way.I"m thin and I take care of my body, and I love to exercise but I"ve always had big shoulders and curvy flesh.So it"s fun to be pregnant, and have the fashion world tell you you look beautiful when everything is bursting out.There are certain things in my closet, that I can only wear when I"ve worked out every single day and lived off soup, fruit and veggies, and am physically very strong.But when I"m pregnant, you can put those things on, as you have this whole other body, and it looks really nice.It makes you feel more free."
She loves a fashion week show (who doesn"t!)"I enjoy the whole visual feast.They"re so amazing and beautiful, it"s very immediate, it"s a live performance, like going to a rock concert, or the theatre...It"s right there, happening right at that minute in front of you."
Stars at London Fashion Week