Electronic Sheep

Brenda Aherne and Helen Delany are the spirited Irish design duo behind the graphically patterned knitwear label Electronic Sheep. They established the label in 1999 and are based in London (Helen) and Dublin (Brenda).

They graduated from Dublin’s National College of Art and Design (Brenda in Fashion, Helen in Graphic Design), and also learnt their craft in stints at Central St Martins, De Montfort University and the School of Visual Arts in New York. Between them they have plied their trade in Dublin, London, Munich, Rome and New York researching alternative methods and techniques in contemporary knitwear and design while working in the industry. Their previous experience ranges from knitwear technologist to designing for New York’s Glamour magazine.

Their combined disciplines produce detailed jacquards – knitwear with strong visuals and inventive use of colour. They specialise in accessories, particularly hats and scarves, and their signature knitted triangle scarf has become a global favourite. For AW11 there is an array of flouro/candy colours and pattern to choose from in the form of oversized and unconventional shaped accessories – as well as their limited edition cape, designed in collaboration with DJ duo The Broken Hearts.

A HOUSE OF MANY MANSIONS

AW11 COLLECTION – KNITWEAR BY ELECTRONIC SHEEP

In this new collection for AW11, Electronic Sheep develop their signature graphic style with patterns and forms inspired by the notion of an idle life of splendour.

With a characteristically bold use of pattern and colour, and featuring titles like ‘Tartan Theory’, ‘The Planet Garden’, ‘The Alchemist’s Foxtrot’, and ‘Eccentricity City’, the complex and often contradictory visual collages incorporated into these scarves, hoods and hats suggests the eclectic, creative play of the unbounded imagination. A new addition to their range of accessories, a hooded cape, is the result of an inspired collaboration with maverick DJing duo The Broken Hearts.

But where is this house, and who inhabits its many mansions? Is it the shabby glamour of Turner's Powis Square pile in Roeg's Performance, the hermetically sealed retreat of the listless Duc des Esseintes in Huysmans' notorious Against Nature, or the spangled dreamlike 'world' of the distracted movie starlet in Anger's Puce Moment?

The Cape will play a key part of The Broken Hearts dressing up box throughout the year and will be promoted through their events and parties. www.thebrokenhearts.co.uk. The cape is part of Electronic Sheep’s AW11 collection ‘ A House of Many Mansions’ and sells through outlets in the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan and Russia. www.electronicsheep.com

ELECTRONIC SHEEP AND THE BROKEN HEARTS COLLABORATION

For AW11 knitwear label Electronic Sheep and “Turntable Goddesses” The Broken Hearts have designed a detailed illustrative cape together titled the ‘Swift & Cliff’. The Broken Hearts are as well known for their striking visual style as for the music they spin on dancefloors across the world and their radio show Peppermint Candy on Jazz FM has been described by The Guardian as "a cool swing music show hosted by two vintage style icons."

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR AW11: WIndow Displays / London Fashion Weekend

Clerys, Dublin have invited Electronic Sheep to produce a themed window in the landmark store celebrating 70 years in business. The window will run for two weeks from the 19 October 2011.

Electronic Sheep take part in London Fashion Weekend from the 22-25 September 2011. See Electronic Sheep featured here: www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk/designer-spotlight/