SHOWstudio: Headdress

SHOP at SHOWstudio is currently presenting 'Headdress' a collection of theatrical headgear perfectly balanced between art object and functional accessory. The exhibition features work by five contemporary milliners: Jordan Askill, Stephen Jones, Charlie Le Mindu, Nasir Mazhar and Noki. All pieces are for sale!

To compliment the exhibition SHOWstudio will be broadcasting performances from the LIVEstudio in Bruton Place.

Headdress is on show untili March 20th @ 1-9 Bruton Place, London W1

SHOWstudio

Cassette Playa AW1011: N E U R O M A N C E

Last week at London Fashion Week, Cassette Playa premiered the worlds first ever Fashion Augumented reality show. Software written especially for Cassette Playa's wearable Augumented Reality (AR). Garments featuring CP symbols programed to be activated by the models interaction, generating computer 3D animations.

'Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery - creating a mixed reality'.

Intro music: Kingdom/20 Jazz Funk Greats/Salem/The Big Pink.

Show music: Milo Cordell (The Big Pink/Merok Records) and Preetesh Hirji.

The collection features industrial and mediEVIL references with Thrash, Death and Black metal imagery - silk back panels and embroided patches, feature on Long-sleeve tees, meltdown wool sleeveless tailored jackets, zip-up hooded tops and cropped nappa leather bombers The range also includes assuly vests with neoprene pocket details, transfer tees with CGI blood and chrome and glow in the dark screen prints.

Signature cassette Playa digital print is in repeats of stoned textured leopard print and blood soaked diamonte camo on silk, chiffon and lycra. Colours are photocopy black and white with high lights of stain glass brights - blue, scarlet, acid green and fucsia.

The MediEVIL influenced headdress Charlie made for Carri's pressentation.

Cassette Playa

Charlie Le Mindu AW1011: Religion. Sex. Bullshit. Lucifer.

Charlie's third collection, Influenced by death and religion, was a futuristic funeral cortege of sexy space sluts sashaying to the sounds of morbid church bells, screams and techno. Featuring black lace body suits, diamante crosses, blue fox fur, stripped feather-like-fur capes, hair veil headdresses and a bejewelled Faberge egg.

by Kap Bambino

All backstage photos by Billa

Charlie Le Mindu

Annika Berger X Robert Knoke.

My friend, Swedish designer Annika Berger met German artist Robert Knoke two years ago. They recently joined forces to collaborate on a project based around Knoke's black and white drawings, especially his work of designer Walter Van Beirendonck, which line drawings were the inspiration for Berger's S/S10 collection.

the project will be on show next month at New York's Armory Show/SCOPE art fair held at Manhattan's most famous cultural icon, Lincoln Center, with a glass facade pavilion situated in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park. The fair will feature galleries from around the world including Germany, Ecudour, Poland, Korea, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, UK, Taiwan and Tokyo. Presenting solo and thematic group shows alongside museum-quality programming, collector tours, screenings, and special events.

SCOPE opens 3rd March until 7th March 2010.

SWD/Skyward

Robert Knoke

SCOPE

Petra Storrs' Chocolate Bunny Dress.

As part of 'Chocolate A-Z' An exhibition to be held at Harbour City Gallery, Hong Kong - An opportunity to visualize the heart-throbbing sweetness of chocolate in artistic perspective, through collaborations with creators from different places of the world. My friend, London based Art Director Petra Storrs has created this tasty chocolate dress as her letter 'D' contribution.

The exhibition starts February 1st until April 1st 2010 @ Harbour City Gallery.

Petra Storrs

Somarta: Lacey Lady.

Japanese label Somarta, set up by designer Tamae Hirokawa in 2006, is known for its seamless lace bodysuits, which any uber fashion goth or sexy superhero would die for-wah! A range of 'Second Skin' garments in different lace separates from leggings, scoop neck tops, vests and gloves are available in two different lace patterns the 'Robin' or the 'Guardian'. GaGa gimp galore!

Somarta

Memento Mori: Series 00.

Inigo Bilbao's CATs project was the idea to experiment with biomedical imaging and the unexplored creative potential of medical hardware and software when applied in combination with 3D modelling software and rapid-prototyping machines.

Using data obtained from a CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) or from a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Bilbao can depict both the changing outer appearance of a human model and the more solid and internal frame of its bone structure.

Self Portrait 2007

Andreia Chaves' 'Invisible Shoe'

This asymmetrical origami-inspired mirrored ankle boot is the creation of Brazilian designer Andreia Chaves. The Her unconventional shoe concepts, including the 'Prism Shoe' and 'Velcro Shoe' are influenced by her time growing up in chaotic Sao Paulo, a city full of contrasts, diversity, and her constant exposure to different visual inputs. After studying texture and visual effects in Florence, she decided to experiment with different and sometimes impractical materials in her footwear design, saying she sees "beauty in chaos".

Bernhard Willhelm & Jutta Kraus @ Groninger Museum.

Antwerp's Groninger Museum, yesterday opened its doors to a major solo exhibition of the work of my favourite designer Bernhard Willhelm and his partner in crime Jutta Kraus.

The exhibition features an extensive collection of their unconventional fashions from over 30 collections, including men's and women's wear created during their 10 year partnership. After studying at the Royal Academy for Visual Arts in Antwerp (Willhelm) and the University of Westminster, London (Kraus), they joined forces in 1999 to begin a clothing line under Willhem's name. Right from the outset they created a unique brand with an individual style and unworldly imagination.

Bernhard's creation for Bjork's 2007 Volta album cover

If you are unable to make it to Antwerp, a book is available to buy on the Groninger website (29.50 Euro) with more than 500 illustrations celebrating the past ten years. The book also offers a previously unpublished overview of the duo's work, and contains contributions by author Ingborg Harms and fashion Theorist Francesca Granata.

The exhibition runs until 11th April 2010.

Photos by Georgette Koning.

Groninger Museum