Top fashion designers collaborate on a new collection - designer homes for birds
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Piers Atkinson design. Credit: Andy Hay.RSPB
Birds looking for new nesting sites for spring will shortly be surprised by some modish if rather unusual residences in which to raise their young.
The happy coincidence of National Nest Box Week with London Fashion Week has led the RSPB to persuade a number of the country’s best known designers to turn plain white nest boxes into signature pieces to be auctioned to generate funds for the charity.
Designers, including Dame Vivienne Westwood, Julien Macdonald, Katharine Hamnett, John Rocha and Orla Kiely, have come up with a range of looks from the beautiful - black lace and roses - to bondage in white and black leather. There’s even a box that looks like an apartment block complete with net curtains and house plants.
All of the nest boxes will be on display in The Shop at Somerset House until 23rd February, after which they will be auctioned on eBay to raise money for the RSPB’s work restoring wild places and researching species decline.
“Wildlife and fashion might not be an immediately obvious combination but when the designers heard our idea they were really keen to use their creative flair to help make a difference. We can all do our bit to help by giving nature a home in our gardens or outside space, whether it’s by digging a pond, planting nectar-rich flowers or creating a log pile.” said Alison Enticknap, from the RSPB.
Designs by John Rocha, Julien Macdonald, Giles Deacon, Katherine Hamnett, Vivienne Westwood. Credit: Andy Hay
Giles Deacon, said, “I love to make time to support good causes, and the UK’s wildlife is a cause that really needs our help. It’s fabulous that so many designers have got behind this idea. It’s fun and makes the world a better, more beautiful place – just like fashion!”
To find out about the RSPB’s new campaign, Giving Nature a Home visit rspb.org.uk/homes
National Nest Box Week is run by the British Trust for Ornithology – see bto.org/nnbw/index.htm