Bristol Style: Filthy Squirrel

Independent Bristol brand Filthy Squirrel is bringing back the 90s with an amazing collection of jackets inspired by the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

We met the brains behind the range, Kimberly Withington, to find out more.

We all need some SpongeBob in our lives.
Necklace by Flo Nightingale.

Antonella and Natasha model Filthy Squirrel’s Moshi Monsters Jackets

The 29-year-old from Leeds has been designing clothes since a boyfriend bought her a sewing machine 8 years ago.

Now she has a Fashion Design foundation degree and an award for Best Designer Collection of the Year from Middlesex University under her belt, she’s selling clothes world-wide and is a year away from getting a Fashion & Textiles degree from UWE.

Hanging from the rails in some Filthy Squirrel

Necklaces by Bristol designer, Flo Nightingale

Kimberly

How would you describe your personal style?
I don’t even know, my grandma always says, “You’ve got a style of your own,” but I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing! I just wear what I like, even if it doesn’t suit me.

I notice you have some photos on your wall of people with a Harajuku style.
Yeah, they wear what they want and a lot make their own clothes so that’s inspired me a lot. If I could get my clothes to be sold in Japan I would be the happiest person ever!

What are some of your other inspirations?
Everything inspires me, films, music, graffiti, urban artforms like derelict buildings. We did a photo shoot in an old psychiatric building once and there were loads of old teacups still there and files of people’s notes. It was just massively inspiring to spend the day there. I also love everything 80s and 90s and that comes through in my clothes quite a lot.

For this collection I was watching the Fresh Prince and I thought, “Oh my god, I have to make those jackets!”. I didn’t want them to be subtle, I wanted them to be like, BAM!

L: The view from the back
R: Necklace by Flo Nightingale

Kimberley at her Filthy Squirrel studio at The Island.

Why do you like running a label from Bristol?
In Bristol, people are a lot more collaborative than in London, they take you under their wing. If you’re nice to people they’ll be nice to you. I’m really lucky I have my office space [at The Island].

It’s full of different artists, fashion designers, photographers, circus acts, music producers, every type of person you could want.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m joining forces with Feral Pleasures, another local label, to create a tracksuit empire and bring shell suits back. We’re going to call the collection Filthy Pleasures. We’re keeping it quite seedy, like we want to have porno print as the lining of the jackets but we want it slightly classy too.

I’m also making some new pieces for the Creative Youth Network’s fashion show at The Station on 6th December. After the show people will be able to visit my pop-up shop and exhibition. It’ll be exploring all the photo shoots of the past 8 years and there will be some samples so people can come and see everything I do rather than just the crazy 90s things.

Flyer for Filthy Squirrel event

Find out more at:
Filthy Squirrel Blog
Filthy Squirrel Twitter
Filthy Squirrel Facebook