Posts Tagged ‘conceptual’
I’ve got a thing for clothing and accessories with humour. I think that’s been pretty obvious given my recent posts. ‘Fashion’ often takes itself a bit too seriously, so I like it when designers inject some fun into their pieces.
Azumi and David aka A’N'D’ create pieces with a heaping portion of wit, and each collection addresses a particular theme each season. A’N'D’ is a conceptual brand whose focus isn’t just about provoking thought-they want you to laugh too.
The A/W 09 collection references Oppenheim, Audrey Hepburn a la Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and luxury (fur and cashmere coffee cup sleeve, swarovski crystal pearl pins, luxury detachable tee shirt pockets). S/S 09 was all about travel (passport stamp pins, coin purse watch bracelets, sunglasses adhesive tape). While the focus is mainly on accessories, they do produce some clothing like tee shirts and jackets.
I posted about Cosmic Wonder quite some time ago and since then, designer Yukinori Maeda has expanded it from conceptual clothing label to include a book project, exhibition space, new clothing line (Cosmic Wonder Light Source) and expansion into installation and performance – although, if my memory serves me correctly, Cosmic Wonder has always included some kind of performance aspect in the presentation of its collections. From what I can gather, Cosmic Wonder has become the umbrella term for the larger project and Cosmic Wonder Light Source is the clothing portion. Cosmic Wonder isn’t simply the realization of Maeda’s singular vision, though; collaboration plays heavily into every aspect of the project.
The latest Light Source collection featured models in an office-like performance setting. I love the humourous Monstera leaves as necklaces. I’ve posted several photos of this collection below and a couple photos from the 2006 Cosmic Wonder exhibition.
Minna Palmqvist is a Finnish designer who doesn’t subscribe to the fashion world’s practice of presenting brand new collections for every season. Instead she builds on a concept and develops her collections more organically and when inspiration strikes her. Palmqvist effectively blurs the line between art and fashion. The garments are produced in very limited quantities or only by request. She presented a collection at the 2009 Berlin Fashion Week as well.
Two more photos after the jump.
Moving away from colour and print today in this feature of avant-garde Japanese designer, Yuima Nakazato. Nakazato’s collections are predominantly conceptual and not particularly wearable, but it’s all quite stimulating! He seems to take a very architectural approach to his pieces but they have an air of whimsy and softness that is usually lacking in the works of other conceptual designers. His footwear and accessories are stand out pieces as well. He seems quite influenced by Hussein Chalayan and the influence seems particularly strong in his 2008 Wooden Dimension collection presentation.
While not wearable except for the most daring individual, Nakazato’s work is inspiring and distinctive.
Rowan Mersh is a textile artist who, in addition to his sculpture and installation work, creates elaborate, conceptual jewelry and clothing.
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