Perhaps in hopeful anticipation of spring, AnOther have had birds on the brain, as reflected in our latest Most Loved post. Admired for their astounding variety of shapes, sizes and colours, not to mention their much-envied ability to soar the
Perhaps in hopeful anticipation of spring, the AnOther team have got birds on the brain, as reflected in our latest Most Loved post. Admired for their astounding variety of shapes, sizes and colours, not to mention their much-envied ability to soar the skies, birds have long been objects of human wonder. From the ancient Egyptian worship of the mythological phoenix to Leonardo da Vinci's bird-shaped flying machines; from Hitchcock’s 1960s cult thriller The Birds to David Attenborough's enthralling bird-centric documentaries like The Song of the Earth (cited as a surprising influence for Björk's latest album), our feathered friends have captured our intrigue and imaginations for centuries.
Fashion has also seen waves of avian inspiration. Much of Alexander McQueen's S/S08 collection was distinctly ornithological as were the intricate and majestic feathered pieces in his final collection, including a beautiful golden plumed jacket. Miu Miu's S/S10 swallow and flamingo prints were hugely popular, a success they built upon with their more embellished swallow print for A/W11; and Giles’ feather-filled S/S12 collection featured a number of flamboyant swan headpieces.
But it was the mesmerising, rainbow-coloured Australian Lady Gouldian Finch, selected by writer Zac Bayly, that caught our eye this week. A now endangered species, the small songbird was first described by British ornithological artist John Gould in 1844 and named after his wife Elizabeth. Here we speak to Bayly about who he would name a creature after and his other favourite animals...
What made you decide to Love the Australian Lady Gouldian Finch?
The night before I posted this picture I had a really strange, colour-saturated, apocalyptic dream, which involved Gouldian Finches and fireworks. It was like if Almodovar remade The Birds.  Â
"Admired for their astounding variety of shapes, sizes and colours, not to mention their much-envied ability to soar the skies, birds have long been objects of human wonder"
Have you ever seen one? If not, what’s the rarest creature you’ve seen?
Yes, lots of people keep them as pets in Australia. They’re only endangered in the wild. I’m not sure what the rarest creature I’ve ever seen is, but I have hugged a member of an endangered species – a kiwi at a wildlife park in New Zealand.
What other animals do you like?
I think octopuses are fascinating. My old boss used to have one and he’d communicate hunger by coming to the front of the tank and changing colours, then camouflage perfectly while he stalked/played with his prey (usually goldfish and crustaceans).
If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?
An eagle of some description, because flying would be incredible and you wouldn’t have to worry too much about being eaten by another bird of prey.
John Gould named the Lady Gouldian Finch after his wife in 1844. If you could discover an animal what would you like to discover and whom would you name it after?
If I discovered an animal, I’d name it after Nina Van Horn from Just Shoot Me. Maybe I could discover the 'Nina Van Hornbill’?
What are your favourite animal-inspired artworks/products?
I love Polly Morgan’s art and fur coats (although I would probably never buy fur).
Text by Daisy Woodward
