The Story Behind the Shedding Skin Collection
So I'd been planning to create a snakeskin-inspired collection for ages. Not your typical, glossy high-street snakeskin, though. I wanted something different, something gnarly, textured, alternative, and a bit wild. Something with bite.
Originally, I thought I’d paint it. I had this whole plan to sit down with my brushes and create a stylised reptile texture from scratch… but nothing I sketched ever felt quite right. Everything looked too clean, too polished, too polite. I wanted snakeskin that looked like it had survived something. Something raw. Something powerful.
And then I suddenly remembered: I personally know a very lovely human who keeps snakes.
So I messaged him (in my usual overexcited way) and asked if he might possibly, maybe, one day, when he had time, send me a few photos of his snakes’ scales for reference. And bless him, he didn’t just send photos., he sent high-quality images, close-ups, details… and a collection of actual shed skins to work from.
And honestly? The moment the photos landed in my inbox, I knew I had something special.
The shed skin was gorgeous in a way I hadn’t expected - intricate, organic, textured, almost architectural. Somewhere between nature and sculpture. I was instantly obsessed. I started editing, layering, shaping, stretching, blending… and before I knew it, one print had turned into two, then three, then nine.
(When inspiration hits, apparently I don’t do things by halves.)
The Birth of the Shedding Skin Collection
The result became The Shedding Skin Collection - a family of prints all born from the same real serpent skin, but each with its own mood and personality:
- Snake Skin Effect - oversized monochrome texture with dramatic depth
- Dragon Skin - enchanted greens with a magical, ethereal feel
- Wyvern Skin - deep burgundy tones with a molten, fantasy atmosphere
- Hydra Skin (coming soon) - almost other worldly, metallic look purple tones
- Basilisk Skin - sharp red, white and black with fierce gothic contrast
- Monster Skin - neon green and purple chaos for the bold and chaotic
- Pit Viper - electric blue venom with dark, glossy intensity
- Demon Skin - supernatural purple shadows, mysterious and moody
Every pattern comes from the same original artwork created from photos and shed skin that my friend so kindly dropped everything to help me with (because I was far too impatient to wait like a normal person).
A Little Thank You
His name is Matt, and not only is he a snake wizard, he’s also an incredibly talented woodworker. He makes the kind of handcrafted pieces where you look at them and go, “Why on earth is he charging so little for this?” They’re that good.
His store is (unsurprisingly) currently almost sold out but I strongly recommend having a browse if you like one-of-a-kind handmade pieces:
Keep an eye on it when he restocks, it goes fast.
The Collection
The Shedding Skin Collection is available now across a full range of made-to-order ANTIBrand clothing, footwear, robes, dresses, knitwear, accessories and more. Every piece is created individually, reducing waste and ensuring each item is made especially for you.
It’s one of my favourite things I’ve ever created - wild, strange, beautiful, bold, textural, and just a little bit otherworldly.
I hope you love it as much as I’ve loved obsessively tinkering with snake scales for far too many hours.
🖤
Kate