Profile: Peter Jensen – whimsical yet wearable

Danish born designer Peter Jensen has had resounding success since he began his career in 1999, and over the past 11 years his vibrant designs have earned him a firm celebrity following that includes the likes of Nicole Kidman, Orlando Bloom and Rachel Bilson.

Jensen’s use of eccentric detail and bright colours means that his collections all have their own sense of humour.  His general aesthetic favours colour blocking, ruffle embellishment and energetic prints, and a longstanding characteristic of his garments has been his trademark rabbit, along with a few other animal friends like polar bears and foxes.

Jensen’s womenswear has been based on a series of muses; however, they are by no means obvious choices for inspiration, tending instead to be as wanton and eccentric as they are chic.  Women he has previously chosen include the likes of disgraced Olympic ice skater Tonya Harding, Hollywood actress Mary Miles Minter, and businesswoman Helena Rubinstein.

As well as sparking the designs of each of his collections, the women also became the title of them and Jensen’s latest allusion is to sixties jazz singer Nina Simone.

What is so special and desirable about Jensen’s designs is that, in spite of them being retro and detail driven, they always remain wearable and functional.

Jensen’s clothes are sold on ASOS.com, and he has created a capsule collection for Urban Outfitters called ‘PJ’.

The bright knits and gingham print blouses and skirts have stayed true to Jensen’s whimsical style and lucky for us, they are currently in the sale!

Katia El- Fakhri
Photos: Courtesy of Peter Jensen