With the current state of politics, there’s a lot to be sceptical about as 2019 approaches. But, a new creative calendar released this week is brightening our horizons. Named after the incoming Chinese New Year, which symbolises fortune and luck, Year of the Pig is an astrological take on the year ahead produced by a creative team including SLEEK favourite Claire Barrow, photographer Eloise Parry, Paris-based visual designer PZ Opassuksatit, Japanese hair stylist Kiyoko Odo (of Comme des Garçon fame) and make-up artist, Anne Sophie Costa.
Together, this London-based quintet have photographed and designed a 2019 calendar based on the signs of the zodiac rather than the months of the year. Each sign is paired with a model photographed by Parry, with a sculptural ‘do designed by Odo, finished with earrings by Barrow and makeup by Costa. Speaking to SLEEK, Barrow says that she didn’t rigorously use themes from Chinese culture or the Zodiac to guide her creation process: “It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek the whole thing with horoscopes. It’s hard to believe them in the first place… it’s got that element of silliness and fun around it.”
Barrow’s jewellery is made of a myriad of materials, including fake fur, flowers, clay, velvet, soldering, beads and “lots of plastic”. And although it’s difficult for her to pick — “I honestly really like a lot of them… I know you’re not really meant to say this but I think I’ve done quite a good job!” — Barrow confesses she has a few favourites. “I think the gold piece [Sagittarius] is quite amazing. It’s quite grand, it really feels luxurious,” she explains. “Maybe it’s just the scale of it, it was larger, so it was more exciting. It’s also kind of tacky and Christmassy, so it fits well with my style.”
If you’re a fan of this fresh take on new year calendar, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s hope for the future for this creative quintet. “It was really refreshing to work with all women as there was no ego involved,” Barrow reveals. So, can we hold out hope for a 2020 Year of the Rat follow up? Will they work together in the future? “Probably,” confirms Barrow. “With Eloise definitely. And with everyone else I don’t see why not, we worked so well together.”
See the full calendar below:
