Category: Portfolio

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041015 – Mirror the World Part II – Gold Label SS16 – Paris

​​041015 – Mirror the World Part II – Gold Label SS16 – Paris > words

It was with great expectation I arrived in Paris for the Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Show during Fashion Week.

Held at Couvent des Cordeliers the ancient wooden beamed space was alive with reflected shimmering light from the giant suspended glitter balls above. As a backdrop a projection screen displayed images of Venice, a slowly subsiding city and inspiration for the collection. With a front row seat I watched intently as both male & female models began their foray on the catwalk. The night was a mixture of dancing and conversation at Les Bains followed by a midnight walk back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

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250915 – Magnolia Pink – 100% Design, London

​​250915 – Magnolia Pink – 100% Design, London > words

What Does The Colour of Your Brand Say – Talk at the 100% Design, London – Vivienne Westwood Magnolia Pink

Today I am giving a presentation at ‘100% Design’ Olympia. I have not given a formal presentation since teaching at Universities in the early 90’s so I felt the emotive mixture of excitement, nerves and the honor to have been asked to talk. The theme given for the presentation was ‘What Does The Colour of Your Brand Say’. I chose the topic of the Magnolia Pink of Vivienne Westwood. During the mid nineties Vivienne was designing collections Vive La Cocotte, Vive La Bagatelle, Erotic Zones that recall the sense of faded grandeur from the Belle Epoch. The colour Magnolia Pink is both sensual, sexual and historically referential. The presentation elaborated on this theme. I was joined in conversation with Karen Haller, a colour psychologist and Fiona Humberstone, a Brand Colour Consultant and the presentation was chaired by Emily Hare from Contagious Magazine.

Presentation

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210915 – VFNO – Milan

​​210915 – VFNO – Milan > words

It’s Vogue Fashion Night Out in Milan tomorrow and I am here to oversee the Alice in Wonderland window installation and the store are ready for the 2 events that will be taking place. It’s hot and people are stopping to take pictures as the installation completes. Dinner alone at Torre Di Pisa.

A final check in the store as it’s getting ready for the afternoon event, a reading to a group of children by Bernedetta and there is chaos as a Mad Hatter & White Rabbit run wildly amongst them.

There is a queue already forming around 7.00pm and the party begins to get underway. James F Goldstein makes an appearance along with a host of Italian VIP’s including Elenoire Casalegno, Lara Montanaro, Jessica Polsky, Elena Barolo, Natasha Stefanenko, Federica Fontana, Tessa Gelisio, Diletta Leotta and Chiara Baschetti

The following morning is torrential rain, not a great start for Day 1 of Fashion Week, but I say a fond farewell and await my next visit. 

Milan Review

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​200915 – Mirror the World Part I Red Label SS16 – London

​​200915 – Mirror the World Part I Red Label SS16 – London > words

Today I am backstage for the Vivienne Westwood Red Label Show. Westminster University offered a great space for the show. The initial calm empty space soon becomes a frenzy of activity as models arrive for hair & makeup and the run through in front of Vivienne & Andreas in preparation for the ensuing catwalk. Vivienne holds court for a brief Press moment against a backdrop of protesters reiterating her political stance firmly. There is darkness, silence then as the spotlights hit the balcony on first model the show begins. The Red Label show was full of Vivienne’s hall marks, asymmetrical cuts, large scale prints on stripes, re-printed crumpled tartan and prints on lace or lazer cut, alongside some very elegant asymmetrical cut suits.

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110815 – Transformation Begins – Conduit St, London

​110815 – Transformation Begins – Conduit St, London > words

Vivienne Westwood interior shoot at 44 Conduit Street to show the changes that have happened since I first joined the company. The more minimal displays help to give the product space to breathe, along with putting specific pieces together on the rails to create looks.