A note from Naomi reflecting on the creation of Paint It Black.
A New Mood Rising
Some collections begin as a whisper. Others arrive like a song you cannot shake. Paint It Black was one of those moments. Over the years so many of you have asked for more black pieces, and every time we dipped our toes into that world the response was overwhelming. From the black cape in On Tour ’74 to the monochrome moments in Rising of the Moon, there was a feeling that something darker and more magnetic was waiting in the wings.
Some of the ideas in this capsule had been sitting quietly in my sketchbooks since before our break, especially the velvet story and the boots. They were waiting for the right moment. As the season shifted and party dressing came back into focus, the mood felt perfect. I kept imagining candlelit clubs, the glow of stage lights and the shimmer of gold embroidery moving through the night. That is when Paint It Black found its voice.
Icons in the Shadows
At the heart of this capsule are the women who have always stirred my imagination. Stevie Nicks for her main character energy. Pattie Boyd for her soft rock glamour. Jane Birkin and Françoise Hardy for their effortless mystery. They each carried a style that felt sensual without trying, bold without shouting.
I wanted this collection to hold that energy. A little darker, a little moodier, with textures and silhouettes that fall somewhere between mysticism and rebellion. When I picture these pieces coming to life, I imagine dimly lit rooms, the scent of incense and the hum of an amplifier just warming up. Clothes that move like smoke. Shapes that flatter in that quiet, powerful way the late sixties did so well.
A Palette for the Night
The late sixties into the mid seventies had this incredible ability to blend grit with glamour, and that contrast became the foundation of Paint It Black. The palette leans into inky blacks lifted with antique gold, oxblood, emerald and soft metallic shimmer. They feel sensual, seasonal and alive under the light.
Silhouettes took their cues from the era too. Long flowing shapes, sharp jackets with ornate detail, sleeves that sway when you walk and fabrics that hold both weight and movement. From embroidered blouses to lurex gowns to dramatic capes, everything was designed to feel like a moment, even on the quietest day.
The Craft Behind the Darkness
Texture has always been at the heart of our world, and this capsule brings that to the forefront. Velvet, crochet, pleating, gold thread and beautiful crepes all work together to create depth and atmosphere. Every piece has something you want to reach out and touch.
Much of the collection grew from a love of handwork. We wanted the embroidery to feel as though it belonged on a folk jacket picked up on a long road trip in the seventies. Erin’s artwork was inspired by vintage techniques and built from layered stitches and warm thread colours. Nothing feels flat or formulaic. Everything has soul.
The folk influences from Eastern Europe and Afghanistan were woven into this collection in a way that feels true to us. The ornate borders, the floral geometry, the rich palettes. All softened with our silhouettes and that slight rockier edge our Dreamers love. Heritage blended with ease. Nostalgia layered with something more modern.
Stories Within the Capsule
From the beginning I knew Paint It Black would unfold in smaller stories. Each one had its own mood, its own heartbeat, its own muse.
Velveteen Dream is all about texture and richness. Deep colour, lush velvet, gold embroidery and the kind of pieces you want to treasure. These are the showstoppers, the collectors, the ones that make you feel transformed the moment you put them on.
Folk Tales carries the quieter soul of the capsule. Floral embroidery, oversized placement prints and soft silhouettes that feel rooted in craft and heritage. These pieces feel warm and expressive, like something passed down with stories attached.
After Midnight holds the electricity. The capes, the lurex dresses, the moments made for bright lights, long nights and dancing until the early hours. These pieces come alive after dark.
Together they form a capsule that feels multifaceted, a little romantic, a little rebellious and full of atmosphere.
Pieces That Stayed With Me
There are pieces here that spark something every time I see them. The embroidered velvet jackets and trousers with their gold florals feel powerful and iconic. They were among the first designs that inspired the whole capsule and everything else grew around them. I know they will be pieces I reach for again and again.
The Process of Bringing It All to Life
One of my favourite moments in creating any collection is when the first samples arrive. With Paint It Black, that moment felt especially meaningful. The richness of the fabrics, the shade of the gold threads, the placement of every motif. Every detail took time. We refined the prints, reworked the embroidery and adjusted each stitch until it felt just right. It was a long process but worth every second because the finished pieces feel rich, considered and full of character.
Balancing creativity with commerciality always starts with building a thoughtful capsule. Having day styles, evening looks and those dramatic stage pieces meant there was room to push creatively while still offering something for every Dreamer and every wardrobe.
When It All Clicked
The moment Paint It Black truly came alive for me was at the studio shoot. Styling everything head to toe, seeing the silhouettes move and the embroidery catch the light, I felt that rush of recognition. That feeling of yes, this is it. This is the mood. This is the story.
It reminded me why I love this work. Seeing the ideas leave my sketchbook and turn into pieces that people can wear, style and make their own is the part that keeps me inspired.
A New Chapter
Since coming back from our break I feel more aligned with the brand than ever before. Paint It Black carries the spirit of our roots but with a deeper, more mature edge. A darker palette. Richer textures. A little more attitude.
I hope you feel powerful when you wear these pieces. I hope you feel like yourself. And I hope this capsule becomes a part of your nights, your celebrations and the stories you are yet to tell.
Thank you, Dreamers, for letting me create worlds like this. Paint It Black is the beginning of a new chapter for us, and I cannot wait to see where it leads.
Paint It Black Launches 27.11.2025
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