Even though it was a little while ago, I had a thoroughly enjoyable week illustrating live from the catwalk at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout A/W 2010-2011 shows. One show I particularly enjoyed was Prophetik, by the Tennessee poet and designer, Jeff Garner, which was inspired by the American Civil War and paraded to live music by a former Sex Pistols’ drummer and an ex-Def Leppard lead guitarist. The collection, which was very eco-chic and sustainable, was made in Garner’s hometown of Franklin, an old Civil War town, and constructed from organic cottons and corduroys, hemp, flax and "Greenspun” – which comes from recycled bottles. I loved the whistful theme and simplicity to it, making it all the more enjoyable to draw.
Thanks again to the wonderful Diane Pernet for delivering brand new fashion from around the globe, even when she doesn't get to attend. Bibi Ghost's collection looks good enough to put in any wardrobe immediately. With the perfect balance of simple lines, pretty details, and a quirky aesthetic, I'm already a fan and lusting after these wearable pieces. I also love the simple idea for the catwalk set design; fun, simple and the right side of chic.
Perhaps I am biased, being a big fan of Jason Wu's edgy yet feminine style, but his latest Autumn/Winter 2010-11 collection has gotten me in a bit of a flutter over dresses. His collection as a whole was what you would expect from Wu, exquisitely put together and with some very clever detailing, but this season of dresses from the New York based designer has brought the power back to the 'wow' dress. Feminine, edgy and made of layers of silk, chiffon, and even feathers combined together created some of the most impressive dresses I've seen lately. Wu gets the soft but directional balance perfectly right, including painterly floral prints and updated silhouettes that result in the type of dress that feels exactly right for next season. Modern romantic, here we come...I would love to own them all.
Following the very tragic news of the designer's death, Alexander McQueen's store on 14th Street in the Meatpacking District has pulled a white shade over the front window.
To showcase the S/S '10 Menswear Collection, Prada collaborated with Chinese artist Yang Fudong who is known for his dreamy, surrealist photography and video work. Fudong came up with a short film entitled 'First Spring' that features characters roaming around a ghost-town like Shanghai. Perfectly off-centre, strange and beautiful, Fudong captures Prada perfectly.
As we say goodbye to the last of winter's clothes and stores begin to entice us with pretty displays of next's season's offerings, I have been intrigued by a noticeable fashion change of heart. It feels, for quite a while that a 'warrior woman' type character dominated the catwalks. With pointy Balmain shoulders, black layers upon black and a whole lot of leather, we've seen her all over the high street and even at many a New Year's Eve party. While this isn't anything new, this season of sugary, soft, ice-cream and bon-bon coloured fashion was taken up by so many designers, it had to mean everyone was up for something new. There is still a lot of edgy and dark-coloured spring/summer collections out there, but everything seems to be a lot softer this season. Gone are the super-fitted sharp shapes, and in in their place wispy, romantic, draped pieces have emerged. I myself was a little sceptical, as I quite like looking at new collections before they are fitted into 'must-have' lists and over-done trends, but even edgy designers known for their harsh lines and tough image are loosening up. AF Vandervorst has been doing monochrome and harsh lines (beautifully, as always) for several seasons now, but his S/S '10 collection has an ethereal feel to it, with nude tones and super-soft layering. Karl Lagerfeld went all out at the recent Chanel Couture show, presenting a hyped-up version of crystallized pastels and shimmering fabrics. To get my final seal of approval, I'll be keeping an eye out for any of this softer approach in next season's shows which start next month, but so far I will admit I'm feeling a little smitten with this gentler side of fashion.
This is, quite simply my idea of fashion shoot heaven. Interactive animated online shoot, beautiful art direction and illustration unite with some lovely clothes on show. Well done Hintmag. You can also choose your own soundtrack to mix it up a little and make it even more of a 'Mind Trip'.
As if the creative world wasn't spinning out amazing, exciting contemporary websites that push the boundaries fast enough, along comes a site like FLY 16x9 and my idea of what a creative-based website is gets blown away. Started in 2003, in New York by founders Stephen Blaise and Catherine Camille Cushman as a response to the stagnant state of print media, FLY was created and designed as a platform for emerging and established creative talent from all disciplines to collaborate. Using the power of film and technology, the work was showcased worldwide and gained an ever-growing fanbase. The instant critical acclaim the films received led to a multi-media DVD Magazine where Blaise and Cushman were able to realise their concept in full.
The FLY group has now re-defined the two-dimensioned magazine through their films, and expanded to creating quality moving images for clients worldwide as well as curating exhibitions. Thankfully, their amazing films are available online and are in fact amazing. The films are like watching a breath-taking fashion shoot come to life, with well thought-out shots and concepts. My favourites are the Hussein Chalayan video of a girl biting off her fake neon nails in a bathtub and a continous shot of a girl in chocolate-coloured AF Vandevorst eating a cake in a way that makes you not be able to look away, as well as the Martin Margiela club scene...actually I think I love them all. The site also has a huge following on facebook, and even a blog with portaits of staff and behind-the-scenes imagery which is of course, all displayed impeccably. I already can't wait for my next FLY 16x9 film fix...
One of my favourite up-and-coming illustrators/set designers, London-based Lucy Butler worked on a fantastically spooky photoshoot with Claudia Schiffer for Harper's Bazaar November issue. Art-directed by the famed Chapman Brothers with illustrations by Jon Rogers and photographed by Michelangelo Di Battista, Lucy created some amazing sets to make the shoot complete . Lucy's work is a particular favourite of mine, as she mixes her skills in set design, prop-making and illustration to make beautiful installations and window displays. Inspired by 'childhood stories, animalistic fantasies and general niceness often in its darkest form' she creates contemporary displays and art with an edge. I'm very glad to have stumbled across her blog, can't wait to see what she works on next. Happy Halloween!
