Feature: THE BIG PICTURE - Exhibition - Louie, Louie at Chalk Farm Road

Published: 27 May 2010

SLEEK, fierce and ready to pounce, this panther – daubed on the wall of the new Louie Louie flagship store at 25 Chalk Farm Road, Camden ­– embodies the Louie Louie brand, according to the artist who created it, Harley Price. “Although the Louie Louie logo panther is svelte and feminine I wanted this mural to be raw and sharp,” he says. 

“It sits comfortably in Camden, which is a place of such creative fusion. In effect the mural is a hybrid of John Joakim’s [the founder of Louie Louie’s], personality, aspects of the brand and Camden as a site for intense creativity.” 

Louie Louie is a new clothing brand that draws inspiration from London’s streets. Its designs have been described as “infused with an organic swirl of Camden, a hats off to London that pays homage to the UK as the birthplace of unique expressive fashion”. Its flagship store opened earlier this month. 

The brand’s debut collection has aptly been christened “Louie Loves Camden”. It boasts a colour pallet of black, steel grey, plum, blush and coral. Waterfall blouses compete with frilled tea dresses, harem trousers and studded, structured, edgy pieces all sporting the signature Louie Louie look. A 1950s-inspired spaghetti-strapped prom dress sits alongside a sheer black-beaded shift, the perfect synergy between high feminine and party girl chic. Wearable pieces that are distinct, sleek and glamorous work as a collective or as signature pieces within any girl’s wardrobe. 

Mr Price, an up-and-coming, much talked about artist, uses oil on canvas, sculpture and 3D techniques. He is available for commissions and sells work from the Louie Louie store. He said: “John Joakim asked me to create a mural directly onto the shop wall of the Louie Louie flagship store. 

“I texturised the wall and made it rough and unconventional to give the mural depth and density. After free handing on the wall I ran streaks of paint and water all across the piece to mix it up and give it a raw look.” 

• Louie Louie, 25, Chalk Farm Road, NW1, 020 7428 0678