Thursday, 29 January 2015

Jasmine Haoyao Deng I




A crazy cacophony of colour and knitting for Jasmine Haoyao Deng's 'Dream' outfits.
Jasmin has approached these knitted dress forms in a very sculptural way. The interest is not focused purely on the front of the garment, but flows around it beautifully linking the front and back whilst giving some lovely surprises.
Jasmine graduated last year with an MA in Fashion Design Technology (Menswear) from London School of Fashion.

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

Atelier Kikala


Atelier Kikala's 'More is Love', AW 2014-15 collection by Lado Bokuchava has breath taking textile combinations of sheer, net, knit, and wool fabrics whilst being elegant and stunningly original. The textures created are sumptuous, intriguing and beautiful.
"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 Bokuchava
This collection has taken earth as its inspiration, incorporating textures and sculptural motifs that reflect the geology. Photography is by Mamuka Kikalishvili Lado's partner.

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Thom Brown by Erik Madigan Heck






Absolutely stunning colour saturation and classic compositions with 1950's beauty and elegance by photographer Erik Madigan Heck, for Thom Brown SS2015's 'NO PHOTOS PLEASE' styled by Rebecca Ramsey. This collection has lots of 1970 flare and power in its colour and form, whilst also including folk elements like the wool embroidery and tatting in the embellishment and accessories.

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

Saturday, 24 January 2015

Catherine O'Leary




 I love these felt works by Australian artist Catherine O'Leary they remind me of fungi in particular a Bridal Veil Stinkhorn.

Often I find this with hand crafted felt garments they have a very organic look texture and shape. The layering of black and white in Catherine's garment is very startling and the broken net of a silhouette is stunning.

Friday, 23 January 2015

Hyun Soo Kim II






Hyun Soo Kim's 2013 'Archidaisme' collection. I really like the optical tricks that Hyun Soo Kim's designs create with their combinations of fabrics, lengths as well as the sense of movement. I wonder if Hyun has yet combined his skills and training to create costumes for dance performances.

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Hyun Soo Kim I




This collection 'Parutions' by Hyun Soo Kim has intricate and complex shaping and structure but the way he has incorporated voile creates the illusion of double exposure and I love this clever use of fabric opacity and transparency.
Hyun Soo Kim was originally a professional dancer in Korea before moving to America. Once in America he became more aware of stylists and fashion and this interest eventually leading to a career in fashion design.

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

ClaesMikael Svensson I



"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
This dress and head dress were made from plastic glasses to promote Oji Drinks, Forsman and Bodenfors at the Stockholm Music & Arts exhibition 2013 designed by ClaesMikael Svensson photographed by Lisa Hasselgren.