Saturday 27 August 2011

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN/GIVENCHY

Before launching his self titled label, Mcqueen worked as head designer for French fashion house Givenchy.

Between 1996 and 2001, Mcqueen was responsible for some of the most exquisite pieces ever released by the internationally renowned label. Givenchy is well known for its classic designs, particularly those worn by Audrey Hepburn in many of her infamous movie roles.

Mcqueen very much put his own stamp on his work whilst at Givenchy, creating much darker pieces...the likes of which had never been seen ati Givenchy before.

One of his most macabre pieces is without doubt this dress from the AW 97/87 collection 'Eclect dissect'.
Mcqueen himself had this to say about the dress  “My idea was this mad scientist who cut all these women up and mixed them all back together.”

I LOVE this dress...the vulture shoulder pieces where a brave move, and I can imagine It was creating pieces such as this that pushed him to create the 'Mcqueen' brand. 

 


Wednesday 24 August 2011

GISÈLE GANNE

As anyone following my blog will know, I LOVE any aspect of design using skulls/skeletons/body parts...as long as its BEAUTIFUL.

Well the work of jewellery designer Gisele Ganne is no exception, and honestly, she is a new favourite of mine!

Ganne draws inspiration from the Victorian era...their fascination with death, and creating modern day 'mourning jewellery'.

Every collection to date from Ganne features skulls as a reoccurring motif, but it was the 'Divorce Jewellry' collection that caught my eye in particular...

The use of animal skulls in yellow gold, along with pearls and enamel flowers is stunningly beautiful...A mournful yet optimistic union that seems to acknowledge the end of an era with the use of skulls, which also seems hopeful for the future!

You can see more of Ganne's work on her official site giseleganne.com!

My favourite has got to be the heavy-duty knuckle duster ring which can be seen in the fourth image!

What do you think of the pieces? Which is your favourite from the collection? Leave a comment below!






Tuesday 23 August 2011

DOMINIC JONES

The work of British jewellery designer Dominic Jones embodies everything I love in a designer: Ingenuity, individuality, and a healthy dose of morbidity!

Using real animal parts along with casts of animal parts and various metals, Jones creates breathtaking jewellery that is certainly not for the faint of heart! It would take someone with real guts to don this stuff...a challenge I'd HAPPILY take!

It was a spread in Vice magazine annual fashion issue that caught my eye however, In which Jones created a series of accessories using a less then conventional medium...sea creatures.

I adore design such as this: Completely fearless, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what Is 'acceptable'. I'll admit that for obvious reasons the pieces are unwearable, and many people would argue 'what Is the point?'

My answer is this: Does art need to have a point?

You can read an interview with Jones on the Vice website In which he speaks a little about his inspiration and ideas about the series.

Here are the images from the spread, along with an older image of a pair of crocodile bangles that I couldn't resist including!







Monday 22 August 2011

BILL MULLEN/NUMÉRO

Here is an AMAZING editorial featured in Issue #126 of Numéro magazine.

The spread featuring Jac Jagaciak, was shot by famed fashion photographer Greg Kadel and styled by the ridiculously talented Bill Mullen.

I love the energy in the photos, especially the images with the wind swept fur coats! 

Mullen has styled some of the best editorials I've seen in the last couple of years and his OTT style is easily recognisable. I can't wait to see what this guy has in store for the future!

I haven't been able to find who the designers used in the shoot where yet...but I couldn't resist sharing this amazing series asap.

Gotta whole lotta love for the pentagram bangles, who I believe are by Pamela Love!










Sunday 21 August 2011

MARGAUX LANGE

I love any and all aspects of design that use recycled and 'reclaimed' materials to create something fresh and new, and the work of Margaux Lange is no exception. Lange uses Barbie and Ken dolls, along with metal work and enamels to create stylish and contemporary jewellery.

Despite the premise of using Barbie body parts, Lange's work never seems morbid. Infact, It seems to celebrate the versatility of the doll by using her in new and creative ways! The use of bright enamel, speech bubbles and sharp lines give the pieces a pop art feel unlike anything else I've yet to come across online!

Here are a few of my favourites from her official site margauxlange.com, a few of the pieces are one of a kind and not available to purchase...However their is still plenty up for grabs!









Saturday 6 August 2011

SIBLING

Knitwear for men has always been a bit of a touchy subject with me, mainly because ive always found that jumpers and sweaters tend to be at polar ends of the spectrum: Either too boring, or too OTT.

However, It was by chance that whilst doing my daily fashion spying I came across a jumper that made me sit bolt upright in my chair: A voluminous skull shaped jumper that Is more than just a jumper, It's art. Here It Is so that you can understand where I'm coming from...


Unfortunately, that Is the only picture I've been able to find of It. but I't was enough for me to delve a little deeper into the brand...

AWE. Utter f'ing awe. 

Sibling create what can only be described as cutting-edge, exciting and revolutionary knitwear. Sibling is like a 21st Century Kaffe Fassett, working against the grain and creating knitwear unlike anyone else out their.

Their tongue-in-cheek re-working of iconic imagery into their knits, as well as a modern approach to overall design Is catapulting Sibling to the forefront of the knitwear game.

It's not only the impressive design of the pieces that blew me away, but the attention to detail and technological know-how that's implemented...For example, the knitted 'biker jacket', made of LAMINATED wool, giving the look of leather! Ingenious.

I never imagined that knitwear could be this edgy, yet Sibling have hit the nail on the head...

Here are my favourite pieces from every collection to date, I think they reflect the ethos of the brand best.  Fun, contemporary and stylish!
















Wednesday 3 August 2011

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN RESORT 2012

The Mcqueen resort line released for 2012 has certainly lived up to expectations. With Burton now Queen of the house of Mcqueen,  It comes as no surprise that their was wide-spread speculation as to whether she would be able to stand the test of time, or do the label justice. But by putting her own stamp on the already infamous label right from day one, and staying true to the spirit of the brand,  she is  delivering the goods and keeping the die hard fans happy (me included, I LOVE her work so far!).

The collection Is chic and feminine, as you would expect a resort line to be...However, I  think that a resort line should be practical and comfortable to wear in hot/humid climates, something I'm not sure this collection delivers.  
I wouldn't pity any girl who chose to wear a knee length leather dress to a pool party, no matter how uncomfortable she is! Combining a resort collection with quintessential Mcqueen couture is a brave move that I'm sure will pay off however.

The collection itself is STUNNING. The colour palette of earth tones, coupled with ocelot print and leather is opulent and drips with decadence. The cut, in typical Mcqueen fashion is exemplary, with pinched in waists and A-line skirts that create silhouettes to die for. The attention to detail, with ornate embroidery in gold has become a Mcqueen trademark now, making an appearance in almost every collection from Burton to date.

Overall, I adore this collection, and here are my favourites!