September 21, 2011 by alex
Kerry Dean - Mongolian Landscape
Centre for Sustainable Fashion collaborator and the photographer behind the i-sustain project is holding an exhibition at The Front View gallery in the beautiful seaside town of Whitstable in Kent, from September 24th 2011 – January 22 2012. The exhibition will showcase a breathtaking series of landscapes taken in Mongolia during the Nadaam festival
The Nadaam festival is a national day of celebration in Mongolia and is famous for its spectacular long distance horse races in which Mongolians as young as two years old participate. Kerry was invited to follow a race; a rare opportunity as very few photographers have been allowed to do this.
Kerry says,” Mongolia was everything I hoped it would be, like stepping into another time far removed from the here and now, a mystical land of huge skies and simplicity, wandering alone and feeling free, breathing a different kind of air”.
If you fancy a day out at the seaside, a few oysters and a magical photographic experience you know where to go!
by alex
i-sustain IV
The fourth instalment of the i-sustain project profiled the work of amazing accessories designers Michelle Lowe-Holder, looking at the role of the modern artisan and how the re-interpretation of traditional textile techniques can play an important role in presenting new models for fashion design and production.
The i-sustain project a collaboration between i-D and CSF will run over twelve months online and in the magazine; look out for our feature in the Winter issue.
by zbeck
Hunter Jacket, Embodying Ethics, Rohan Chhabra, 2010. Photo Rohan Chhabra
Curated by visual artist Lucy Orta, CSF’s Professor of Art, Fashion and the Environment, in partnership with the Crafts Council, Block Party will reveal the contemporary applications and creative possibilities of pattern cutting.
The exhibition will feature work of 10-15 practitioners for whom pattern cutting forms the basis of their practice, yet whose output results not only in garments, but a variety of innovative forms. Works will be shown that poetically reveal the tradition, history, and skills of the pattern cutter and tailor, in various contemporary media.
Designed by architecture studio Carmody Groarke, the exhibition includes sculpture, interactives, moving image, collage and textiles created by the likes of established artists Shelley Fox, Charlotte Hodes, Dai Rees, Yinka Shonibare, Simon Thorogood and emerging artists such as Hormazd Narielwalla. The exhibition will also feature work from Phillip Delamore, Director of the Fashion Digital Studio at London College of Fashion.
Lucy Orta said
Driven by a deep admiration of the tradition and craftsmanship of pattern drafting, curating Block Party has been the perfect opportunity to reflect on its many contemporary visual interpretations.
Open: 22 – 25 September, 11am – 6pm
designjunction
Victoria House basement
37-63 Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4DA
Visit designjunction’s website
September 16, 2011 by Hatty
Looking for an inspiring round off to London Fashion Week? On the 22nd of September, up and coming sustainable fashion brand Antiform will be hosting the launch of their new A/W 2011/12 collection at their London stockist and sustainable design studio, Here Today Here Tomorrow.
Offering garments which have directional design with a heritage influence, an Antiform piece screams to be picked up, to be worn, to be cherished and to engage with the wearer’s unique style. However, it doesn’t end there! The brand was also runner up in the Observer Ethical Awards 2010, achieving recognition for continuing to push the boundaries of wearable design whilst ensuring that their clothing is ethical, affordable and sustainably made.
In fact, ‘sustainably made’ is somewhat of an understatement. Antiform is a brand which takes slow fashion’s creative sustainability to a whole new level; sourcing all materials within a 20 mile radius of their Leeds based studio boutique, not to mention producing their garments using the incredible wealth of local talent in the area, and in doing so, uncovering and supporting resources which had been tragically laying dormant.
To make the event even more special, Here Today Here Tomorrow will be offering 20% off Antiform’s new collection on the evening.
The launch will be taking place on the 22nd of September from 5-9pm at Here Today Here Tomorrow (30A Balls Pond Road, Dalston, London, N1 4AU)
September 2, 2011 by Cath
What are the top tips from your sartorial story, adventures in attire, fashion follies and frolics…?! Hmm. Here’s a few to get you going, from speakers and audience at the Good Fashion Perspectives event in London, part of A Good Week – A Global Celebration of Good:
Nin Castle – Founder of Goodone
1. Buy half the amount for double the amount. Nobody wants to hear this but I promise if you do you will love your wardrobe and the clothes you wear a great deal more.
2. Don’t throw Clothes away always take them to charity shops and or textile recycling banks.
3. Support designers you like, up and coming labels need your support to keep growing, for every 1 garment you buy on the high street try and buy one garment from an independent label.
Lyla Patel – Head of Education at TRAID
1. Clear out your wardrobe and donate it all to TRAID. Once you have got rid of the clothes you never wear, don’t really fit and don’t really like you’ll be able to assess and value of the good clothes you have.
2. Shop at TRAID. Refill your wardrobe, but with handpicked second hand fashion. Try out more than one store, they are all different and constantly changing. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary TRAID sales!
3. Skill yourself. Come to one of TRAID’s Sew Good workshops and mend, remake or upcycle a garment with us. Improving your skills will insure your clothes last longer, get a new lease of life and allow you to buy more great second hand stuff! If you like, you can join the mailing list: sewgood@traid.org.uk
Jocelyn Whipple – Founder of Element 23
1. Always ask questions about the things you are buying including clothing – even if they cannot be answered or the answers are startling! By informing ourselves about supply chains we become better equipped to make wardrobe choices that reflect our own sense of value whatever that may be.
2. Slow down your personal style – take time to really get to grips with what does and doesn’t work for you –including colour, shape, texture, family traditions, and of course ethics. With a clear criteria we can become more discerning and focused and avoid impulse buys or wasteful spending that doesn’t serve us or the planet.
3. Read the new book just out by Lucy Siegle called ‘To Die For – Is fashion wearing out the world?’.
My tip is to have a go at making a piece of clothing yourself. This is good because:
1. You know the garment has not been constructed using sweatshop labour – you are the production line!
2. You can make something that fits your body, from the fabric of your choice, so you will make something you love, wear again and again and never throw away.
My advice is (of course!) to get yourself a DIYcouture book! Suitable for absolute beginners! Or if you want to be sociable and have hands-on advice, go to one of the many sewing schools in London. These include:
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Oh Sew Brixton
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The Thrifty Stitcher
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The Papered Parlour
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The Make Lounge
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Our Patterned Hand
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Fabrications
