Sassoo X Retrovillage

So I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation from London’s iconic, growing urban & retro-Vintage brands – Sassoo Limited and Retro Village – to join them on their creative collaborative shoot. Where 4 talented models, chosen by public vote compete to become "the face" of both brands. Based in the renowned area, Portabello – known for its quirky streets and being the home of some of the most amazing culture London has to offer, which was evidently captured in the showcasing of their new line. Put together by an incredible team of diverse photographers, young creative's and people who simply hope to put an impact on the industry of fashion by supporting youths and expressing art through clothes.

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Who are retrovillage and Sassoo?

Sassoo, described as a brand that "likes to keep everything fun and trendy" joined in partnership with retrovillage and had hosted a lengthy competition to find "the face" of their brand. This resulted in a final 4, aspiring young models from all walks of life, who impressively showcased every outfit as though they had been in the game for years. If not providing London with new urban wear, Sassoo is dedicated to providing youths with opportunities, particularly within the fashion and modelling industry just like the competition hosted. I was stunned to be informed that Sassoo, being youth oriented are also in Partnership with the charity 'UK Youth' , as they work as a stepping stone to elevate young people into their careers - amazingly, all through the goodness of wanting to essentiall 'give back' and make a difference.

What became most inspiring was discovering what was really behind Retrovillage's renowned brand. The label, inspired by the entertainment industry, with old school icons such as Ice cube and controversial artists such as Kanye West influencing their lines since 2010; Retrovillage began putting a spin on contemporary clothing as an online accessory store on ebay - selling everything down to your 'then' essential beanie hat. As the company grew in popularity, Retro's brand expanded - resulting in them adding their clothing range - which I instantly fell in love with. Now you can recreate in season styles and combine them with your own.

Admired and speculated by many, I for one found myself also sucked into the craft and ingenuity behind the lines. From the incorporation of fabrics from cotton to velvet, and the vibrant colours you see from their Dashiki's, I felt so privileged to be able to witness ingenious art at its finest. 

.If it's not just the back stories of both brands that draw you to them, its the attention to the finest of details, such as the geometric style patterns in the Dashiki's above - companied with the versatility of clothes, being able to combine urban street wear with casual garments. As international photographer Giovanni Martins commented "its like Gucci meets Sassoo" 

I also fell in love with Retrovillage's womenswear tracksuit, (similar to tracksuits worn by India Westbrooks) modelled by 15 year old Brooklyn in the gallery below.  After speaking to the team behind both Sassoo and Retrovillage, I discovered that both brands were not your average clothing line. It is the ingenuity behind both companies, paired with honesty, drive and ambition that makes you fall in love with them.

The shoot rallied in a number of curious passers by, I turned to a lady who runs "The Portabello toad" a book stall located on Portabello road, had been inquisitively admiring the models and photographers at work. I asked her what she had liked about the brand, and being in an area which some may call "heart of London" I also asked her whether she thought the brand was a truly represented our amazing city. Her response was one that had left me stunned as she exclaimed " I love the clothes, but I don't feel the brands represent London... they represent Europe". 

Due to having encountered such a large number talented creatives, I decided it would be greedy for me to keep them all to myself without sharing them with you all! - below, you'll find all the models, photographers, stylists and of course not to mention more information the masterminds behind Sassoo & Retro! Be sure to check them all out, all their work and show them some love. 

I would also like to wish all four models the best of luck with the competition, send a massive well done and thank you to all the talented photographers, the amazing stylist and of course everyone at Retrovillage and Sassoo. ( More information on all of whom linked below).

http://retrovillageapparel.com/
http://sassoo.co.uk/

Make sure you vote for your favourite model to become 'The face' over on the Instagram's below and check out their latest lines:
Instagram:
@retrovillage
@sassoo.co.uk 

Thanks again for reading my loves xo