"I got interested in learning more about planets, geology and things that at first sight appears dead and soulless. However, they constantly move and change, undergo transformation processes and you can feel that they are alive. Each color and texture in the collection has its own mood and meaning. For example, white is a cosmic color, I associate it with endless space and silence, while black embodies freedom for me." Lado BokuchavaThis collection has taken earth as its inspiration, incorporating textures and sculptural motifs that reflect the geology. Photography is by Mamuka Kikalishvili Lado's partner.
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When I was in graduate school (Parsons School for Design MFA) I used to try and show my fashion work in group-critiques, and discuss it in the larger context of photography as a medium. The professors for the most part wanted nothing to do with fashion photography, and I find today this is still true in the academic world, and the gallery world- fashion photography is still kind of the ugly cousin of Art photography. On the one hand I understand that on a base level fashion photography is simply serving a function: to advertise the clothing that it portrays. But, on the other hand, I think fashion photography is kind of a nothing term, where it can encompass anything and everything. It can be analyzed in terms of how it portrays gender, how it comments on socio-economic illustration (oftentimes in the most crass way), and it’s also unburdened from being critiqued by academia- so in many ways it’s free to exist as a true barometer for our time. It also has the ability to merge fantasy and illustration into a medium that I feel has become very expected. I rarely see Art photography in a gallery setting that excites or inspires anymore. But, I would be lying if I said I set out to use fashion photography as a way to discuss all of that, for me I’ve always seen my work as an extension of my interest in beauty as an ideal. Beauty is really the only thing that interests me. I think it’s the only true thing we have to discuss in art. Erik Madigan Heck
"My work consists of creating textile installations, costumes, sculptures, performance art and design profiles. The creation revolves mostly around the material, physical aging, physical design and a deeper exploration of historical needlework. Since I have a deep interest in needlework and timeless techniques mirrored it in my expression, material selection, design, and in the object's structure." ClaesMikael Svensson
"I find pictures as they come from a camera very boring." I started to mess around like a small inventor in my room with pins, pots, fabrics, dried flowers and other frills. Then I was happy." Louise Te Poele
I"n everything I do, I always work with the texture, it is from Icelandic lava, Icelandic stones" Steinunn Sigurðardóttir
"My grandfather bought the fabric in Scotland, my grandmother designed the suit and her loyal seamstress made it for her. It was one of my grandmother’s favourite suits (above). She wore it for many years at lunches and receptions when she had to look presentable. I decided to continue the tradition, and am loyal to my grandmother in that I’ve also worn the suit or jacket at occasions when I’ve needed to look presentable. Ida TaavitsainenThank you
