REID PEPPARD

There is a definite morbidity trend in fashion at the moment, with an influx in 'dead things' being used to create jewellery, accessories and hats. Though controversial to many, It's a trend that will always appeal to a certain percentage of the populace...me included!

The work of London based Peppard is VERY different to any other taxidermy obsessed designer I've seen to date...Her work is stunningly beautiful, creating pieces that originally would have been far from it! But on the other hand, a lot of the pieces remain very sinister, almost like she hasn't shied away from the fact that she's using a dead animal: Instead she embraces the fact...You would certainly need a strong stomach to sport many of the pieces...

Peppard not only uses real animals in her work, but also silver and gold casts of the deceased bodily parts (definitely a lot more palatable) I've fallen head over heels in love with the crow talon pendant and fox jaw chain!

Undoubtedly, using taxidermy to create jewellery is still a social taboo...but to Peppards credit, she only uses ethically sourced animals in her work, which have died from natural or unpreventable circumstances.

With the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Lady Gaga wearing her stuff, alongwith being featured in Vogue and the world renowned windows of Selfridges...It's safe to say that she is one to watch. Expect to see a lot more of her 'Pretty dead things'!

Check out her Blog and Official Website for more information!

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

PETER GRONQUIST

Ok, so my jaw quite literally hit the floor when I came across the work of American artist Peter Gronquist...His work combines some of my BIGGEST loves: Taxidermy, high fashion, weaponry and the blackest of humours...

His mounted animal heads, with gold/acrylic guns instead of antlers have left me drooling...The clash of gaudy weaponry with taxidermy just screams TACKY...But I've fallen head over heels in love with them. Its this kind of subversive sculpture that really pushes alllll my buttons! The irony of the neon-tube horned cow skull is brilliant, It could also be seen as a political statement about death and the food industry?

Anyway, judge them for yourselves!

Gronquist's designer gun series has crossed my path before...Again i love the gaudiness of the pieces, and I think their is a definite statement behind them, how war is glamorised in todays society. The way in which he has created a series of literal interpretations of this is awesome! Plus ive got a whole lotta LOVE the Fendi chainsaw!

You see more of Gronquist's work, as well as find out a bit more about the man himself over at his website petergronquist.com

ENRIQUE GOMEZ DE MOLINA

As a huge taxidermy fan, I love stumbling across those who use the art in unconventional ways, using the animals to create something that little bit different instead of just another trophy for the mantelpiece.

Enrique Gomez De Molina certainly does that! Using various animals he creates Frankentein-esque creatures that do not belong in this world, but to another world entirely.

The beauty of each piece is that the parts blend into the next seamlessly, leaving the viewer confused about where one animal ends and the next begins. Molina is a true artist, and his work is jaw-droppingly impressive...

Many of the hybrids are terrifying, yet have an ethereal beauty about them...I found myself wondering what their story would be? Where did they come from? Where they benevolent or malevolent?

I found this quote from Molina himself, and It sums up his work perfectly:
''The impossibility of my creatures brings me both joy and sadness at the same time. The joy comes from seeing and experiencing the Fantasy of the work but that is coupled with the sadness of the fact that we are destroying all of these beautiful things.''

You can see more of Molinas amazing work over at www.troyabbott.com/EnriqueGomezDeMolina