Monday 12 December 2011

SHOWSTUDIO: IN YOUR FACE

Back in 2000, world famous/Notorious photographer Nick Knight and his creative team created the fashion phenomenon known as SHOWstudio: a revolutionary website dedicated to the production and promotion of contemporary fashion films. Since then SHOWstudio has collaborated with some of the biggest names in fashion as well as up-and-coming designers, giving them a unique platform with which to get their work noticed.

The innovative creative processes of these artists is documented from beginning to end, giving audiences a glimpse into what was once a world behind closed doors, thus giving the public a chance to comment and share their thoughts on the artists and their work. 

I LOVE this concept, its a brilliant way to get up close and personal with designers and really see how they are inspired and how they take this inspiration and create such amazing pieces!

SHOWstudio online was then materialised into the SHOWstudio shop...a space in which pieces shown on film could be exhibited and then purchased. 

A couple of weeks ago I decided to pay the SHOWstudio shop a visit, take some pictures, and report back on what I thought.

The shop itself is down a narrow side street (1-9 Bruton place) near trendy New Bond street, and could be easily missed. The outside of the shop is modest and low-key, far from the delights waiting for me inside.

Here I am, stood outside the shop, cold...



Once inside, I was utterly blown away by the pieces on show: eclectic, unusual and exciting. Many of the pieces I was aware of already from other blog's, my own blog and various fashion websites...So I was like a kid in a candy shop when faced with so many beautiful things!

The first thing that caught my eye as I stepped in was this infamous Philip Treacy hat worn by Sarah Jessica Parker...I thought It was strange though that It was on a cramped shelf in the reception area instead of in a dedicated space!



On a shelf underneath was this piece from milliner to the stars Piers Atkinson...I was a bit disappointed that It was the acrylic version and not the neon tube version!


As I stepped into the actual studio space, I was blown away by this Nick Knight print, arguably his most famous portrait so far. Devon Aoki wearing Alexander Mcqueen (1996)




On the adjacent wall I found this magnificent quartz knuckle duster ring by Debra Baxter, In a bell jar of course!




Having previously blogged about the delectable Delfina Delettrez, I was over the moon to get up close and personal with these stunning Bee earrings...I LOVE the way they've been displayed! You don't often see jewellery presented on a Midas-esque head...but I'm glad I finally have!




As I turned the corner into the second room of the exhibition, I was immediately gob smacked by this 'Void of course' triple head mask, as only a few days before I'd come across this stunning image of it online!





In a corner of the room where these two masks from the Givenchy SS11 collection...I love the dark/light contrast and fetish style of these, definitely one of my SS11 highlights!



I must admit that I was a little disappointed that the Gareth Pugh 'Stealth Bomber' dress wasn't on show with It being one of my all time favourite fashion pieces by one of my all time favourite designers!

And then would you believe It, a staff member walked through the exhibition holding one of the dress's arms! As far as I was concerned, It was better than nothing! If you're oblivious to this dress, here it is in all its glory.





All in all I was thoroughly awe-struck at this exhibition and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in contemporary fashion and art! I'll definitely be paying SHOWstudio a visit again in the future, and I can't wait to see what they have in store!

Here is a link to SHOWstudio's site where you can see more pieces from the exhibition (I couldn't get pictures of everything!) as well as find more information on the designers themselves as well as upcoming events showstudio.com



Saturday 3 December 2011

LEEROY NEW & KERMIT TESORO

Following on from my Marry The Night blog post, I decided to check out more of Leeroy New's work...and I've gotta say: I LOVE.

Out of all of his past works, It's his previous collaboration with fellow Filipino, Kermit Tesoro, that caught my attention in particular.

With Tesoro providing the shoe and undergarments, together they showed this collection during Philippine Fashion Week 2010 and without a doubt it was a show stopping collection.

The subdued colour palette along with the unusual silhouettes created by the avant garde ensemble, Is a delicious concoction of underwater and futuristic inspired forms. This contemporary mix is a sure fire winner and with their recent collaborative effort for Gaga, i hope to see more work from this pair very soon.

Here are my favourite pieces from the collection...If you'd like to see more of New's work (not limited to just fashion!) then hop over to his online portfolio: strycatcher.multiply.com














MARRY THE NIGHT: FASHION FAVOURITES

As I'm sure many of you have seen, Gaga's 'Marry The Night' music video is nothing short of a fashion triumph.

In traditional Gaga style, the first lady of couture has showcased a whole heap of stunning garments and accessories that have left fashion-hungry eyes filled to the brim with juicy satisfied tears.

The video itself is a raw and beautiful tale of a pop stars rise to fame, and the rejection and heartache she encountered on the way...Culminating in her 'Marrying the night' and becoming one with her art and fulfilling her dreams.

Anyway, here are the pieces from the video that caught my eye in particular!

Noritaka Tatehana


These spectacular 18'' ballet heels, or 'Gaga Pointe', are from Noritaka Tatehana. All those ridiculously tall shoes that Gaga wears are by this guy, and when it comes to KILLER heels...he don't mess!







Christian Louboutin

The unmistakable red sole of these ferocious thigh high boots are of course by the legendary Louboutin. I haven't been able to find any information on these boots as of yet, but on closer inspection, they appear to be some sort of animal skin...Crocodile maybe?





Giuseppe Zanotti

After a LOT of searching, I discovered that these beautiful rhinestone encrusted heelless beauts are none other than Giuseppe Zanotti. Taken from his Spring/Summer 2012 collection, many of those who aren't as brave as Gaga will be happy to hear that they also come in a heelFULL version too!



Kermit Tesoro + Leeroy New

This ribbed silicone ensemble is a collaborative effort by Filipino designers Kermit Tesoro and Leeroy New. Im already a massive fan of Tesoro, he creates truly avant garde and exciting pieces that never fail to blow my mind! I love the detailing in this outfit...It looks like early Mugler!




Void Of Course

This gargantuan beauty of a hat is by London based 'Void Of Course', and is quite possibly Gaga's biggest hat so far...Over a meter in diameter! Remember the harnesses from the 'Born This Way' video? You guessed it...Void Of Course! These guys are DEFINITELY one to watch out for.




Philip Treacy + Paco Rabanne

This STUNNING headpiece is by milliner to the stars (and personal friend of Gaga) Philip Treacy...whilst the gown is by Manish Arora for Paco Rabanne SS12. You may remember my previous blog post on this collection earlier this month (If not, here it is!) I LOVE the end of the video...Reclinin' 'n' regal!



And in case your on of the few people on the planet who hasn't seen the video...Here it is in all its glory!


Tuesday 29 November 2011

NIK PATE: BALLAD OF / IDOL MAGAZINE

Followers of my blog may remember the post I wrote back in July dedicated to London based Artist/ Photographer Nik Pate, undoubtedly a true talent...and armed with his individual style and ethos, he has a VERY bright future ahead of him.

If you where to mix the vivid pop-culture of Lachapelle, the darkness of Tim Burton and the tongue-in-cheek of Terry Richardson...The result would be Nik's many faceted and extensive portfolio.

One of Nik's more recent projects has been a fashion editorial published exclusively on IDOL magazines infamous online editorial page, a collection of the BEST editorial spreads from the BEST up-and-coming talents in the worlds of fashion and art.

'BALLAD OF' sees Nik turn the darkness up a couple 'dozen notches, and along with the help of a stellar Hair/MU and styling team, he created a darkly seductive and mesmerising spread that looks fresh off a billboard ad!

The doll-like stances and gorgeous clothing, juxtaposed with the models clawed hands and distant stares create a menacing atmosphere not often seen in fashion editorials. The elongated limbs and sharp joints along with the cinched in waists are reminiscent of Morticia Addams; albeit younger, hotter and with a more extensive and expensive wardrobe.

Speaking of the clothes, no expense was spared in the wardrobe department...We have Chanel, Mcqueen, Burberry, Kimmie, Lacroix, YSL and not forgetting the STUNNING Balmain gown seen in the first and last image!

Once again Nik has blown me away with his unique approach to his art: not afraid of taking risks, thinking outside the box and doing things a little bit different to the rest. I cannot wait to see more twisted and Gothic imagery...'cus one things for sure, the boys got a talent for it!

The editorial can also be seen in full online over at IDOL Magazine

Full credits after the images!


















Art Direction/Photography/Editing - Nik Pate (www.nikpate.com)
Styling - Rosie Williams (www.rosie-williams.com)
Hair - Aaron Blondell (www.aaronblondell.com)
Make-up - Claire Cox
Model - Sofie @ Oxygen 

Friday 25 November 2011

PAM HOGG AW11

I can't believe that the PHENOMENAL AW11 collection from Pam Hogg slipped under my fashion radar...HOW?! Well, better late than never!

This collection had all of my BIGGEST fashion favourites: Fur, leather, feathers, taxidermy and a whole heap of fetish! On paper, the collection shouldn't have worked at all, the mix of colours/textures/materials was all over the place...However, Hogg managed to pull it off big time.

Hoggs reputation for edgy and contemporary womenswear was fully reinforced as the show unfolded...First their where Edward Scissorhand-esque leather trenches with straps and buckles...followed by bodysuits composed of PVC strips barely covering the models at all (complete with stuffed raven headpieces!), then their was kaleidoscopic and breathtaking fur coats...It just kept coming!

Hogg has the ability to combine the most simplistic of leather dresses, with the extravagance of a gold and yellow fur embellished dress...flawlessly! The collection as a whole is stunning, and every piece worked together to create what is an aptly titled show: ''Far from the madding crowd''

Here are my favourite pieces, It was a tough choice...I loved every last stitch!
















Tuesday 22 November 2011

IRIS SCHEIFERSTEIN

German artist Iris Schieferstein has created some of the most extreme footwear I've yet to come across...Regular viewers of my blog will know of my love for taxidermy and any artist who creates beautiful things from reclaimed animal carcasses...

Schieferstein creates shoes from cow hooves, guns, fur and other objects...resulting in controversial, yet  extraordinary foot-art. So controversial in fact, that in her home country of Germany, Schieferstein was threatened with a jail sentence for her 'obscene' work...

In an interview for Dazed Digital, when asked what attracted her to work with deceased animals, she had this to say...
My interest in using animals began in 1990. I was thinking about what we eat whilst I was preparing some fish. They are like garbage. They can’t eat or sleep or whatever. Then I started with chicken, because they look a little bit human-like. I started using them because of the nature of making and fixing, but also to create another material from the animals too. Of course, you could create them for a practical purpose, but for me it’s an artwork.

Although people may be shocked by her work, I think its a perfectly acceptable material to use. Hooves would normally be disposed of in an abattoire,  so why not use every last piece of the animal, even if it is for art? I see it as a celebration (albeit a morbid one) of the animals life.

Here are the heels that have caused so much controversy, make up your own mind!

You can view more of Schiefersteins work over at her official website iris-schieferstein.de