Art Becomes Fashion By Sara Darling Fashion Month might be over, but there is still time to soak up some incredible designs, which are on show at the Sofitel London, St James until June 20th. French artist Stephane Koerwyn is showcasing a number of his one-of-a-kind dresses and canvas paintings in an exhibition which opened during London Fashion Week, and the pioneering hotel in central London is the perfect backdrop for his experimental works. Merging the worlds of art and fashion, Koerwyn’s show stopping dresses are constructed from recycled Aluminium, and the cutting-edge designs are displayed as installations throughout the hotel lobby, along with more of Koerwyn’s artworks. Hailing from the south of France, he made his foray into art after quitting his high powered marketing career. Based in Paris, he focuses on pushing boundaries of the conventional art world, to paint on Aluminium sheeting. This unique approach breaths a new lease of life into the reflective surfaces when they are transformed into timeless wearable art for men or women. See them for yourself at the Sofitel London St James- which is the perfect backdrop for the vivid colours and complex textures which complement the vibrant décor of the hotel. The exclusive residence in central London is one of just 120 chic and decadent hotels which transcend time and offer an understated sense of luxury around the globe.
Visit Sofitel London St James for more information. 6 Waterloo Place, London, SW1Y 4AN Tel: +442077472200
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Fashion Editor: Savannah Barthorpe
For his AW2020 collection, Bobby Abley takes a trip to 1970s California drawing on the area's vibrant subcultures- a heady mix of music, low-rider car culture and psychedelia. The themes within the collection follow the idea of a series of villain’s hang-outs – the mechanics’ garage, the Chinese restaurant, the martial arts club. Joining him on this colourful journey are Illumination’s expressive Minions. Abley puts the iconic characters to work on a series of bespoke prints including an Argyle silk design, denim printed with an op-art Minions graphic and a neoprene Minions camouflage. Key shapes in the collection include extra short and extra long kimono-inspired robes and oversized sweatshirts and shirts playing with the proportions of Minions versus humans. Workwear-inspired dungarees and boiler suits also feature. This partnership sets the stage for Illumination’s new movie, Minions: The Rise of Gru, which is set to hit theatres worldwide this summer. Bobby Abley Fashion Editor: Savannah Barthorpe
Creative Director: Christopher George TOBEFRANK believe in more than just saying the word “sustainability.” The company passionately believe it’s possible to create a genuinely inspirational fashion brand for people who want to know exactly what they’re wearing and where it comes from. Jerseys, wovens, denim and leather are all developed from creatively sourced sustainable fabric. These include recycled fibre, vegetable dyed cotton, vegetable leather, zero water technology washing and compressed apple juice waste. The company works with state-of-the-art factories in Turkey, which work to the highest standard to help create a collection, which is 90% sustainable using no virgin materials. The TOBEFRANK & MOLYNEAUX collaboration was born once the pair joined forces, and the collection proves you don’t have to compromise style to save the earth. The silhouettes of the collection are comprised of Elizabethan inspired high necks, tailored monochrome one pieces and high cut playsuits. Recycled laces trims with organza woven from recycled plastic and A-line chiffon cocktail dresses made from spun left-over cotton husk. Recycled wool coats in two tone off white and black with recycled buttons. TOBEFRANK Fashion Editor: Savannah Barthorpe
Creative Director: Christopher George Inspired by the late swinging sxixties in London, with the powerfull mini dress and stylish English taloring, this provided the backdrop for MARK FAST and his AW 2020 collection. Clashing colours with electric blue running through this seasons range, MARK FAST's couture creations blend youthful street-style, sportswear and a more classical silhouette and elegant approach. MARK FAST Fashion Editor: Savannah Barthorpe Creative Director: Christopher George Asia Fashion Collection discovering and nurture young designers from Asia. With a selection of 5 brands SoEdited supported for their diverse fashion ideas and modern approach to creative design. With Asia's fashion talent exploding across the globe, AFC is sourcing the next talents with their NY Fashions show during NYFW AFC Arts Editor: Christopher George
Simon MO’s AW20 collection is inspired by a dream, where Simon found himself to be a wild animal whisperer - able to talk to animals and experience their adventures alongside them. This dream triggered Simon’s curiosity in the connection between animals and humankind, which led him to take a deeper look into the role animals have played throughout history. Climate change, illegal breeding and hunting have all increased the number of endangered species and continue to have devastating effects on our wildlife. Taking examples from popular culture such as Disney’s Mickey Mouse, The Jungle Book and The Legend of Tarzan have entertained, endeared us and educated us that animals are part of this earth and that they should be treated with respect and forever be protected. Simon chose to present his collection through the eyes of childhood innocence, so that it could be playful whilst also reflecting a sense of pureness through a child’s untarnished love for animals. The prints and shapes are heavily inspired by the costumes of vintage circus trainers and their wild animals. Giraffe print burnout, knitwear inspired by chinchillas all made from faux animal skins, sihouettes borrowed from unisex veterinarian uniforms and colourful outerwear are all highlights. SIMON MO Arts Editor: Christopher George
The inspiration for this collection is taken from our planet - a paradise - where flora and fauna flourished and where nature existed in sync and was respected by humankind. Combining the haute couture way of creating garments, such as embroidery and hand-stitching mixed with modern day technology, Jiri aims to create a demi-couture sustainable collection, with a humble reminder of the tradition and elegance of the past. A spectrum of pinks, greens and browns draw on aspects of nature such as flowers, trees, and the beauty of animal markings. The natural world also informed the selection of ethical materials such as Buddhist peace silk. This all comes with the recognition that sustainable fashion should still be fun - this collection is playful, full of colour and challenging cuts, but made consciously with locally produced and locally manufactured materials right down to the bohemian crystals provided by Preciosa. Jiri Kalfar Fashion Editor: Savannah Barthorpe
Creative Director: Christopher George Official Rebrand WHAT IS A MAN As a non-binary designer, with a predominantly gender non-conforming cast, MI Leggett’s collection brings gender-fluidity to the NYFW conversation in an intensely personal way. Grounded in the celebrations and struggles of gender queerness as well as the designer’s observations of and experiences with the social ills wrought by normative gender expectations, WHAT IS A MAN challenges the position of masculinity as a specific ideal to which one must aspire, or a hegemonic force to which one must succumb, based upon assigned gender and sex at birth. The collection proposes a masculinity that is a fluid and porous mode of self-expression. Official Rebrand garments are created exclusively from upcycled materials and therefore reject the patriarchal treatment of the Earth’s natural abundance as resources to be extracted for profit, and aims to instead express fluidity through nonviolent material transformation. Official Rebrand Fashion Editor: Savannah Barthorpe
Creative Director: Christopher George 1x1 Studio has always been synonymous with fantastic technical knitwear and collections that have a romanticised interpretation of the world we live in. For Autumn Winter 2020, Creative Director Yi-Ling Kuo, have harnessed inspiration from the tempestuous elements of love stories they see on their many international travels. Emotive hues of passionate reds and purple and fresh mint are juxtaposed with blacks and metal shades. innovative knitting techniques breath newness into the whole collection alongside the favoured ladder style. Fabrications are innovative with Corn, recycled and Sparkling gold yarns, vegan leather and metal trimming. They have a handcrafted sensibility and are designed with a 70’s point of view. 1x1's pieces are created with the firm belief that there aren’t many boundaries between menswear and womenswear. 1X1 STUDIO |
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