Archive for February, 2011


Tonight it’s the MA’s


Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Yan Liang, London College of Fashion MA

Yan Liang, London College of Fashion MA

A culmination of work produced by the 2011 London College of Fashion postgraduates is tonight being showcased as part of their annual catwalk presentation at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Students on the Fashion Design Technology course will once again fight for the attention of the fashion elite with content-hungry press, industry hawks and celebrity coat hangers all clambering to scout fashion’s next “ones to watch”. However, this time the London College of Fashion have let you in on the secret by following in the footsteps of other high-profile fashion shows, such as the ever fashion forward Burberry Prorsum, and live streaming the show on their website to followers around the world. A whole new kind of showcase for these young fashion faces.

Prior to the live video link, there is also a chance to get in early on the action with profiles and imagery of all the collections now available via the website. The catwalk is, however, just the start of the MA showcase for the whole school, which is exhibiting their 2011 graduates’ work at Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square from today until the 9th February.

So far Tout Nouveau favourites include, Menswear designer Yan Liang (illustration lineup above), who’s collection is based around ‘The Mixture’ of substances in natural resources, with particular focus on the malformation and deformation of trees. Wooden materials have been used to create smart tailored jackets and pocket details on button-up shirts – an innovative yet highly desirable collection.

Mio Jin, who Tout Nouveau have been following for some time, once again demonstrates her experience in pattern cutting with intricately woven layers on suit jackets, shirts and trousers. An interesting colour palette of gold metallic, purple and grey combine to make an aesthetically odd yet beautiful construction of garments.

Mio Jin, London College of Fashion MA 2011

And from the renowned Cordwainers Fashion Footwear course, Chan Jung Kim has created a combination of high-fashion womens and mens shoes in contrasting tan and black leather layers. Reminiscent of Katie Eary’s ‘Naked Lunch’ collection, yet harks the footwear of the late and great Alexander McQueen.

Chan Jung Kim, London College of Fashion 2011 MA mens footwear

Chan Jung Kim, London College of Fashion MA 2011

We are already drooling over these faciables, and excited to see more at the exhibition. Don’t miss your chance to be inspired – details below:

MA Fashion Artefact
MA Costume Design for Performance
MA Digital Fashion
MA Fashion & the Environment
MA Fashion Curation
MA Fashion Design Technology
MA Fashion Photography
MA Fashion Footwear

Private View: 03.02.11
By invitation only

Public View 02.02.11 – 09.02.11
Open daily 12.00 – 19.00

Victoria House Basement


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Posted in Emerging Talent, Inspiration, Shoes | 1 Comment »

The Art of Manipulation


Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

John Stezaker exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery, London

Image manipulation is an art form often used by today’s leading graphic designers and digital artists. A technique that innovatively deforms and transforms an image, giving it a lease of fresh life, and often provokes new thought. Yet this commonly known ‘modern’ technique, actually emerged long before the revolutionary wave of computer-generated graphics.

A master, and possibly the commander, of the image manipulation movement, John Stezaker, made the artform his signature style and gained critical acclaim for this work throughout the 1970’s. Stezaker’s work combines photography found in books, magazine and postcards, splicing them to create misshapes that form part of his collage technique. His abstract approach is reminiscent of artist Pablo Picasso, where the image often plays with the fundamentals of cubism.

Chopping and layering images to experiment with the way lines are processed by the eye has created a timeless style that exposes the image to a new light. Stezaker’s signature style often incorporates still life scenarios, layered behind landscape photography that, although may seem non-related at first glance, often follows the same lines and forms of the original image. Ultimately, the build up of layers creates one overall image that can often be described as an illusion to the eye.

John Stezaker’s work has made an astounding contribution to the art world today, with his perfectly executed shape shifting canvases, which can now be seen in his first major exhibition at The Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition highlights his personal techniques of shape play, collage, and image distortion. Along with the ninety-work collection on show, the gallery is also hosting a collage workshop to demonstrate the techniques used by Stezaker himself. A wonderful insight into the thinking and experimentation behind this inspiring and revolutionary artist.

And running concurrently with the exhibition, John Stezaker’s work is also on display at Louis Vuitton Maison on New Bond Street for those who have a love for fashion and art.

Date:  January 29 to March 18 2011
Time:  11am-6pm
Place:  Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX
Cost:  Free

By Alice Goodwin


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