DO I NEED THE CANARY?

There is a little yellow bird that has been keeping me up at night. The JW Anderson Canary Clutch exists in the world, it is sitting somewhere out there in resin-cast, 3D-printed perfection, and I do not own it yet. Which means my personal fashion zoo has a vacancy.

Because that is exactly what my wardrobe has become: a zoo. And I say that with complete pride.

Jonathan Anderson once described his creature clutches as the kind of throw-away and unexplainable items you would find on the dusty top shelf at a garden centre. That is precisely the genius of them. They are absurd. They are hyper-realistic. They make people stop mid-sentence and stare. And season after season, I have been powerless to resist.

My collection currently stands at six: the Pigeon, the Frog, the Hedgehog, the Puffin, the Victoria Sponge, and the Walnut. Yes, the walnut. Each one is sculpted in resin and brought to life through 3D printing technology, so convincingly real that guests at mine regularly lean in for a closer look.

The Pigeon, which started the whole madness back in F/W 2022, opens up at the wing to reveal a polished interior.

Pigeon Clutch
Worn in: My Look: Some Days

 

The Frog snaps shut with a magnet on the tip of its tongue, flashing a vivid red lining when you open the mouth.

Frog Clutch
Worn in: My Look: First of May

 

The Hedgehog, with its airbrushed finish and hundreds of tiny resin spines, is the one that fools people most completely.

Hedgehog Clutch
Worn in: My Look: Kinky Boots

 

The Puffin arrives in that signature black, white and orange.

Puffin Clutch
Worn in: My Look: Fashion Fairy

 

Victoria Sponge Clutch
Worn in: My Look: Minnie

 

The Walnut is simply the most elegant nut in the history of fashion.

Walnut Clutch
Worn in: My Look: Dots

I love them all. Each one has its own personality. Together they are a collection that is equal parts sculpture, humour and genuine fashion statement.

But back to the canary. The little yellow bird debuted to considerable fanfare and has been singing its siren song ever since. Does my zoo feel complete without it? Probably not.

Now over to you: which piece from my JW Anderson collection is your favourite?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @georgiashane / Erika Kostialova /Beyza Babacan / @yayhan
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