Deadly Ponies Voyage collaboration with sculptor Grant Bailey (left) and the team from The Daily Bread (right). Images supplied.
Deadly Ponies released their first unisex travel collection over the weekend which celebrates the explorer in all of us. Titled Voyage, the new range of products is designed to suit the modern traveller’s needs for work and play. Creative Director Liam Bowden was inspired by structural military design accents and created these new pieces with versatility in mind.
Among the clever new shapes is Monkey – a structured, versatile shape which can be a backpack, belted on the waist or looped to create a double Monkey. While the Astrix Backpack is functional and practical, with a convertible strap easily switches the bag from a backpack to a messenger.
Voyage is available in luxurious black and saddle brown bovine leather with croc-embossed leather a featured highlight. A unique detail of the collection is a handcrafted wooden ornament that is intricately carved and shaped as a crocodile. Elsewhere, elements of the crocodile are featured in the range from the embossed leather crocodile accessories – Alligator Charm and Croc Chain Strap – to the luxurious saddle brown croc-embossed bovine.
Aside from their sublime collections, Deadly Ponies are known for their exciting collaborations and following on from the success of the 2017 ‘creators’ event, the brand have collaborated with three local New Zealand creatives for the 2018 Voyage campaign. Each one was a unique journey for Bowden who was able to immerse himself in the world of each creator so their collaboration celebrates their vision.
The first collaboration saw long-time friend and artist Richard Maloy utilising his offbeat talents and unique style to create two bespoke costumes that depict alien figures, one made entirely of tinfoil and the other from cardboard. The result is two eye-catching images that kick off the Voyage campaign with a sense of humour.
Next up, was sculptor Grant Bailey who crafted a stunning mask from native timber. The face of which is both sinister and stoic, and when styled with a wooden staff that accompanies it, the effect is otherworldly and a supreme example of craftmanship which is at the heart of Deadly Ponies ethos.
In a delicious twist, the last collaboration was with the co-creators of Auckland’s newest and most authentic modern bakery, Daily Bread. The bakers worked with Bowden to create a Knight’s armour, completely out of fresh bread which comes across as irreverent and fun.
While Deadly Ponies Voyage 2018 is in stores now, the makers and their creations will be honoured at an invite-only event in early July at the brand’s flagship store in Ponsonby, Auckland. Expressions of interest in attending the event can be sent to [email protected]. Please note that numbers for the event are strictly limited.
Images supplied.