Clash talks to the pair's muse ahead of tomorrow's Topshop collaboration.Unless your view of social media resonates with Thom Yorke’s, you’ve been hiding under a rock the past six months or indeed, fashion, clothes and shopping are words you’d rather do without – which suggests you’ve somehow digitally wandered onto this page against your will? – you’ll no doubt be well versed in Topshop’s designer collaborations and likely excited about tomorrow’s Marques ‘ Almeida launch.
The Portuguese duo – Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida – have been a constant favourite amongst the fashion set since their Central Saint Martins graduate collection in 2011, and this – their first capsule collection for the high street brand – has already proved a major coup for Philip Green.
The Guardian last week labeled it ‘this season’s most wanted collaboration’ (ahead of next month’s Alexander Wang x H&M drop), while every (other) media outlet of note has given their two cents to the hype wagon also: you can read Clash’s take here.
All this, and no ones yet so much as stroked a piece of denim.
Ahead of such opportunities – which arrive tomorrow, across 68 stores internationally – Clash caught up with the inspiration behind the whole shebang, Marta and Paulo’s muse, Marques’s sister Sofia.
A 21 year old journalist – currently interning an at economics newspaper in Lisbon – Sofia has been the catalyst for much of the pair’s work, often namedropped by her sister as the Marques ‘ Almeida girl; she even models in the Topshop campaign.
Here she kindly fills us in on what that muse title actually means…
----
*How does it feel to be Marta and Paulo’s muse?*
I don’t feel like a muse in the glamorous sense of what it means to be a muse. I’m just someone that makes them laugh while we take pictures. But of course it feels great to be part of their work.
*What’s the best thing about having a fashion designer for a sister?*
It’s hard to answer that because I have to make a lot of effort to see Marta in a professional role, like a fashion designer. She’s just my sister. Sometimes I really have to stop and think about all the success that they’re having and that’s when I realise ‘whaaaaat that’s my sister and her boyfriends there’. But it’s fun, I guess, I get to try out weird clothes.
*How would you describe your personal style?*
Random but always super comfortable. I don’t really buy much clothes, I reuse my sister’s and my mum’s old ones.
*What are the top three things in your wardrobe?*
Plain, simple and comfortable cotton dresses. Overalls. Havainanas.
*Do you have a favourite Marques ‘ Almeida collection?*
The very first one. And the one that had cow patterns.
*What’s your favourite piece from the Topshop collaboraton?*
The long turquoise dress.
Marques ' Almeida x Topshop launches tomorrow, 9th October.
Words: Zoe Whitfield
www.topshop.com
----
*Buy Clash Magazine*
Get Clash on your mobile, for free: *iPhone* / *Android* Reported by Clash 15 hours ago.