The Art of Fashion

From 16-23 February, the FashionCapital boutique will be marking London Fashion Week with an Art of Fashion exhibition featuring original works from fashion-inspired artists and graphic designers.

In the 1930s Vogue began the descent of fashion illustration by putting a photo on the cover. Photography remains integral to the fashion industry, but it was illustration that historically caught its artistic energy and was the visual route through which ideas for new designs were first brought to life. Fashion illustrations capture the style and glamour of fashion design and are much sought after by collectors. The Art of Fashion celebrates the role of illustration and graphic design in fashion. Each work in the special exhibition embraces the shapes, movements and emotions of fashion – some of which were the starting sketches and drawings that led to catwalk sensations. Others simply inspired by the designers, collections and models that wore them.

Hemyca designers Helen and Myra, both graduates of the London College of Fashion, worked for leading designers including Ben de Lisi and Roland Mouret before launching the label in 2006.  Since then the pair have been praised for their exquisite tailoring, a talent evident on the bold lines and delicate movements that jump off the illustrated page. A selection of their original sketches and illustrations that precede their catwalk designs will be on display.

Greek born graphic designer, Spiros Halaris, works with various techniques using collages, hand drawn as well as digital elements, and has collaborated with demi-couture fashion designer Ziad Ghanem. His work embraces the human element of fashion and his graphic stylings are evident, as they are in fellow exhibitor, Sardax, a well known underground fetish artist. Self-styled the ‘Femdom of Art’ Sardax brings a sense of fantasy and erotica to the interpretations of the fashion design. Sardax collaborated with FashionCapital designer Afira on the Dark Daze collection. Also exhibiting in the Art of Fashion exhibition is Chelsea Art School textile design graduate Emma Cowlam, who produces hand stitched and hand drawn original illustrations, a unique technique which she has developed. The result is stylish and full of motion. Her work is both prize-winning and internationally exhibited.

 

FashionCapital is a unique concept store that showcases the very best of British fashion design including the likes of Emma Cook, Christan Blanken, GOAT and PPQ – the impressive list goes on. The boutique not only houses key designers from the London catwalks but up and coming talent too – a rare chance to see so many British designers and London Fashion Week names selling side by side.

 

The Art of Fashion, 16-23 February at FashionCapital, 2 Seymour Place, London, W1.

0207 7248430 www.fashioncapital.co.uk