Warehouse launches new collection inspired by the Barbican

It’s inspired by the centre’s renowned conservatory

Friday 23 February 2018 19:00 GMT

(Photos by Warehouse)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

For spring/summer 2018, high street favourite Warehouse is getting artsy and joining forces with the Barbican - the international arts and learning centre in east London famed for its Brutalist architecture.

As well as including textured fabrics that mirror the building’s concrete exterior, the brand also sought inspiration from the throng of tropical plants inside the Barbican’s conservatory to create a collection of grown-up prints on everything from loose tailoring and tote bags to slinky jersey separates.

Launching this month, the brand draws on botanical patterns and architectural shapes to build a series of wearable and eye-catching designs that feature bold, brunt orange and khaki tones, flamboyantly feathered birds and leafy plants.

Synonymous with its “Warehouse curates the city” brand mission, the collection also embraces the Barbican’s iconic brutalist architecture and spaces with an accompanying campaign shoot that celebrates the life of the building from the inside out.

Here, a group of employees from the Barbican were selected to model the capsule collection in their favourite spaces of the centre, including the conservatory, sculpture court and lakeside terrace.

“By exploring the centre through the women who work there, the campaign really brings the place to life through a narrative driven by their connection to the building,” Jill Gate, director of brand communications at Warehouse, told WWD.

The brand sought inspiration from the tropical plants inside the Barbican’s conservatory (Warehouse)

“We didn’t want to simply deliver a collection framed by a series of images; we wanted to empower real women to help tell the story, women who are relatable to customers old and new.”

Available in store and online now, the collection ranges from £12 to £149. The Barbican will also stock a bag, kimono and scarf from the collection, with the scarf available exclusively at the centre.