Whether it is Miuccia teaming up with Raf Simons for Prada’s recent era of domination, or across the cohort of budding brands that have emerged in recent years (Chopova Lowena, Stefan Cooke, KNWLS, JordanLuca, Area… the list goes on) it appears a truth universally acknowledged that, when it comes to fashion, two minds are better than one. This is not to say that collaboration comes easily, demanding that creatives navigate differing artistic visions, opposing communication styles, trust issues, fears of criticism, and overbearing egos in order to distil the very best from their synergy.
When Argentinian slow fashion designer Clara Pinto slid into the DMs of stylist and content creator Eve-Lily, the pair could not have predicted the creativity that would stem from their partnership. Having previously worked as a print designer, taking early inspiration from the likes of Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou and Alexander McQueen, Clara was immediately drawn to the stylist’s unapologetic approach to dressing and loaned her a look to wear to London Fashion Week.
“She’s otherworldly, she has such a special and unique look,” the designer gushes. “I don’t make things to sell just for the sake of it, I put a lot of work into designing unique and unexpected garments. When Eve first styled my clothes, I saw how she elevated them and made it her own. As a designer, it’s very fulfilling to see how someone can love a piece so much and wear it in a completely different way from what you thought or how you designed it. I thought she was incredibly talented and very creative.”
When Eve first styled my clothes, I saw how she elevated them and made it her own. As a designer, it’s very fulfilling to see how someone can love a piece so much and wear it in a completely different way from what you thought or how you designed it.
Eve-Lily – whose illustrious loyal followers include magazine editors, celebrity stylists and even Chappell Roan – has garnered a reputation as the internet’s “maximalist cat lady” for her carefully coordinated and heavily accessorised outfits. Eve’s style is imbued with colour, creativity and care, teaching her followers her styling tips and tricks, as well as producing playful content reimagining cult characters as high-fashion baddies. For a Spongebob-themed character carousel, Eve loaned another look from Pinto, inspiring the duo to work together more closely.
“I’ve wanted to release a clothing line for so long, but nothing has ever seemed like the right fit until Clara. We’re so similar – her pieces are very romantic, and I know I can be quite versatile with my style, but her pieces really match my more feminine side,” Eve shares.
On Monday, the duo launched the Eve-Lily x Clara Pinto limited edition collection, comprising two colourful corsets, a silky co-ord set, a bubble skirt adorned with organza flowers, a pair of hand-printed tights, a peplum petal-inspired belt, and a felted wool coat. The collection’s soft pink palette and botanical embellishments are ideal for any Valentine’s Day occasion. And, with Spring about to bloom, this collection has arrived right on time.
With a shared appreciation for florals, developing a flower motif felt like a natural starting point for their design process. “I was definitely in a bit of a floral phase at the time,” Eve recounts. “But we were also thinking of the word ‘wallflower’ which is something that I describe myself as – I can be a little shy and introverted, and I think that resonates with my audience. We started with the coat because Clara had loaned me one before and I was obsessed with it. She is such an expert with wool and felting so we knew we wanted to incorporate the motif in this way.”
The motif reappears throughout the collection in printed fabric and appliqued on corsets. Each garment has been created using deadstock fabrics and in limited quantities, ensuring the most sustainable practices are used at every stage of production. This remains at the core of both Clara’s brand and Eve’s styling ethos, but that’s not to say it didn’t bring unique challenges for the pair to navigate. “Working with dead stock fabrics, you can’t always get exactly what you have in your mind,” Eve explains.
We were also thinking of the word ‘wallflower’ which is something that I describe myself as – I can be a little shy and introverted, and I think that resonates with my audience. We started with the coat because Clara had loaned me one before and I was obsessed with it. She is such an expert with wool and felting so we knew we wanted to incorporate the motif in this way.
However, it was through tackling these hurdles that the duo recognised their strengths and what they could learn from one another: “Clara has taught me to be more open, and to trust the process. For instance, I arrived with a clear image in my head, then we went fabric shopping, and she swayed me towards the fabric that we used [for the corsets and belt]. Now that we’ve used it, I can see that it works so perfectly.”
Meanwhile, Clara says it was Eve’s eye for detail that she most appreciated. “I knew Eve didn’t have previous experience with garment production, but I was blown away by how aware she is of everything, every detail. She saw a lot of little things that I maybe don’t pay that much attention to which was eye-opening,” Clara shares. “I don’t really follow trends, I’m used to doing my own thing, so it’s enriching to to work with someone so aware of what’s going on in the world. Her style is very clear and she knows exactly what she wants. That’s inspiring to see and work with because it makes the process go so smoothly.”
Utilising Clara’s deep knowledge of design, deadstock fabrics, and garment production with Eve’s keen eye for styling and her close relationship with her audience, the resulting collection is a masterclass in creative collaboration. “It’s a difficult thing, to collaborate, so you have to choose very well. It takes a lot of time; it’s two minds getting together,” Clara considers.
Eve’s style is very clear and she knows exactly what she wants. That’s inspiring to see and work with because it makes the process go so smoothly.
“I think because we’re both creative people with specific visions, we both had to learn to compromise a little on our ideas to make it a collaboration,” Eve agrees. “It’s the first time collaborating with someone on a big project like this for either of us. With all my content, I like to do everything on my own, so relinquishing some control to someone else was difficult for me initially.”
While Clara prioritised fabrications and felting, Eve focused on their customers’ styling experience. “We designed [the collection] to work together and be layered over each other,” she explains. “Initially, I had a vision for a peplum corset, and then we decided to create a corset and a belt that can be attached to the corset to make it into a peplum, so it’s optional. I think this sums up my style as I love layering unexpected pieces together. The vision is to take the bubble skirt and the corset, and then have the belt layered on top – it all looks so seamless, but you can also take it apart and wear each piece individually.”
What stands out about this partnership is how seamlessly the duo have incorporated their shared tastes while remaining true to their independent influences. When thinking of who they’d love to see wear the collection, their answers could not be further apart – for Eve, it’s Sabrina Carpenter and Julia Fox; for Clara, it’s Martha Stewart and Grimes. Yet, when it comes to their visions for the future of fashion, the pair are well-aligned. “I do think the industry is changing and it feels motivating,” Clara begins.
“I think we’re definitely seeing people move to more sustainable, pre-loved and rental. I think people are becoming much more educated and appreciative of slow fashion and not needing to have everything immediately, especially when it’s shit quality. People are willing to wait a little for high-quality, ethically-produced, well-made garments, and that’s what I love about our collection,” Eve adds.
“Even my interns now, they still can’t believe how long it takes to handmake a corset!” Clara sighs. “It can be frustrating, that people have no idea how much time and effort anything requires. But I think fashion production is becoming more democratised, and more young people are launching successful brands from their bedrooms. Especially with social media, and getting to share those design processes with your customers, people are starting to understand the value of clothes more and more. I think fashion needs to be valued. Clothes need to be valued. I mean, it’s no coincidence that it’s those new indie designers who are the ones making shitloads of money without any investments, without any conglomerates behind them, and I think that’s the future.”
The Eve-Lily x Clara Pinto limited edition collection is available to shop now.
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