Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland Off Out Of Schedule S/S 2012 in Łódź: Marcin Podsiadło

Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo S/S 2012. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

An already popular apocalyptic theme was tackled by Marcin Podsiadło, who pumped lots of cough inducing dry ice onto the catwalk to create an appropriate atmosphere for a collection based on destruction and in particular the conflicts of the Middle East. Hoods and face coverings obscured features still further and prints on t-shirts featured broiling explosions, fire balls searing the sky. The collection was accessorised with chunky perspex armlets and necklaces by Luca Romanyi. Marcin Podsiadło is based in London, having studied at the University for the Creative Arts in the UK: read my review of his previous show here.

Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory
Marcin Podsiadlo Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory

Categories ,apocalypse, ,Destruction, ,Dry Ice, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,Lodz, ,Luca Romanyi, ,Marcin Podsiadło, ,Off Out Of Schedule, ,University for the Creative Arts, ,war

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Amelia’s Magazine | Alternative Fashion Week 2010 at Spitalfields Market: more from Day 4

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Nicole Gill
All photography by Amelia Gregory.

By Day 4 at Alternative Fashion Week things start to go a little hazy – and the other bloggers who were so keen earlier in the week seem to have all gone quiet so it’s much harder for me to cross check my facts and be sure that I have the right credits for the right designers. Do let me know if I’ve got it wrong or I’ve missed out a link.

As I arrived a bevy of scantily clad beauties were lining up for a photo call at the back of one of the dressing tents. They were modelling the lingerie designs of Nicole Gill, approved cure whose collection was described as being inspired by the Balinese Barong dance, symptoms whatever that is. Now, I’m no specialist on Balinese culture but I’m fairly certain that they don’t dance in their underwear or wear corsets. Non obvious influences aside, these were sexy pieces for sure. Bemused labourers looked on.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Nicole Gill
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Nicole Gill
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Nicole Gill
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Nicole Gill
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Nicole Gill
Lingerie by Nicole Gill.

Inside Crispin Place Alex Seroge was ready to go, lined up with his models in an imposing group. Apparently an amalgamation of middle eastern and Persian influences, there was also something of the Edwardian country squire-ess to this collection, which mixed tweeds with exotic head wraps and prints in every shade of spice.

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Alex Seroge
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Alex Seroge
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Alex Seroge
Alex Seroge.

Next up with a fabulously-over-the-top-despite-being-all-cream collection of big knitwear was George Strood; props to her models for posing so perfectly with the shaggy knitted bag. And loving the shaggy trousers, inspired by Mr Tomlinson, the fawn in Narnia?

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 George Strood
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 George Strood
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 george Strood
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 George Strood
Knitwear by George Strood.

The University of Derby passed by without me particularly noticing – apart from this one fabulous piece, like a wearable lampshade made from a giant spidersweb. Judging by the silver make up I think the boy in the pink may have been part of the collection too.

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Derby
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Derby
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Derby

Barnet College also showed with Zero Waste – from the title I can only presume it was all recycled. I liked this lady because as she was standing on the steps waiting to go onto the catwalk I realised that she had a cupcake tattoo on her bum. Taking the fetishising of cupcakes to a whole new level!

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Barnet
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Barnet
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Barnet
Check the cupcake on arse!

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Barnet
Barnet College.

I found the sports menswear collection by Thomas Lovegrove unoriginal. When Kim Jones first put the bright back into menswear a decade ago it was smart and new, but now it just looks tired and done. You can find sportswear like this in any high street shop these days.

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Thomas Lovegrove

Alice Barcham paraded a collection of tailored whites inspired by the Sydney Opera House crossed with Audrey Hepburn and LuaSarcy showed some dreadful wedding wear. Well, not dreadful, but just weddingy. i.e. not very exciting. Certainly not what I would call fashion at any rate.

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Alice Barcham
Alice Barcham.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 LuaSarcy
LuaSarcy.

On the knitwear front Gemma Maher showed a delightfully understated collection called Firebird, inspired by the ballet apparently. Can you see the connection? Not sure I can but anyhoo.

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Gemma Maher
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Gemma Maher
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Gemma Maher
Gemma Maher.

At the nearby Brady Centre in Tower Hamlets a team of designers had been beavering away under the name A Team Arts and for awhile it all went a little crazy backstage. What I could deduce was theirs was quite frankly bonkers. A tiny innocuous looking blonde girl stood by her three crazy orange and brown outfits featuring pop-sock festooned polystyrene balls growing carbuncle-like in every direction.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

To continue the costume design theme someone had decided to turn men into dragons, with one poor model entirely covered in what can only be described as a large knitted spotty body sock. The poor fella inside mumbled something to me about having been street cast and not knowing what he had let himself in for, but hey what the heck no one was going to see his face.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

This wee girl was not so keen on having her picture taken, but she’d created some pretty amazing jewellery/accessory pieces out of laser cut shapes.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

Someone chose to subvert traditional English tailoring, another designer created some stunning purple and green tailored dresses, and Lorraine’s batik Afrochic outfit was worn by the most amazing model – check out her absolutely loving up the camera. A photographer’s dream. Below are a few more shots too that I presume come from that creative Brady Centre bunch.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

Elif Muzaffer hails from Turkey, but graduated from Ravensbourne last year having specialised in womenswear and textiles. Titled A Struggle Within, a love of print was obvious in this elegantly presented collection of tailored coats and long ballgowns worn by willowy models. I loved the colour range, all deep juicy oranges and sultry shades of deep blue and violet. Elif emailed me to thank me for my interest that evening and wisely set up a blog last week after I queried how I could link to more of her work. Take note, other designers that I am struggling to write about!

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Elif Muzzafer with her girls. Definitely one to watch.

Renata Suchanova not only has a wonderful name but her website sports a pretty fabulous collection of purple clothing. It’s a shame I can’t find any snaps of her collection at Alternative Fashion Week – did I miss it? Was it incredibly different? I’ll probably never know…

Serbian Mila Popovic was found cursing the volcano – she had travelled overland to make the catwalk on time and was sounding harassed. Next to her the make up artist Maya was sporting the most fabulous henna arm tattoos. I liked Mila’s eclectic collection The Flowers of Romance which is co-designed with sister Tijana, and featured bright patterns mixed with traditional tailoring. According to the little booklet she raced off to find for me their Cash for Trash showroom promotes “eko design” though I am not sure in what way.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Popovic
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 make up designer maya

UCreative from the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester closed the day with Metamorphosis/Transformation and another flurry of young girls in a melange of creamy ruffles. Make up artist Phoebe Dalziel explained that she used lace to spray paint directly onto the faces of the models.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Rochester
Rochester Girls. I used to teach down there. Once upon a time.
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
All photography by Amelia Gregory.

At the nearby Brady Centre in Tower Hamlets a team of designers have been beavering away under the name A Team Arts and for awhile it all went a little crazy backstage on day 4 of Alternative Fashion Week. What I could deduce was theirs was quite frankly bonkers. A tiny innocuous looking blonde girl stood by her three crazy orange and brown outfits featuring pop-sock festooned polystyrene balls growing carbuncle-like in every direction.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

To continue the costume design theme someone had decided to turn men into dragons, cialis 40mg with one poor model entirely covered in what can only be described as a large knitted spotty body sock. The poor fella inside mumbled something to me about having been street cast and not knowing what he had let himself in for, but hey what the heck no one was going to see his face.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

This wee girl was not so keen on having her picture taken, but she’d created some pretty amazing jewellery/accessory pieces out of laser cut shapes.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Gemma Maher

Lorraine’s batik Afrochic outfit was worn by the most amazing model – check out her absolutely loving up the camera. A photographer’s dream.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

I presume the pieces below all come from that creative Brady Centre bunch. From subverted English tailoring to bold fitted dresses, there was much to admire in this group.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Brady Centre

Elif Muzaffer hails from Turkey, but graduated from Ravensbourne last year having specialised in womenswear and textiles. Titled A Struggle Within, a love of print was obvious in this elegantly presented collection of tailored coats and long ballgowns worn by willowy models. I loved the colour range, all deep juicy oranges and sultry shades of deep blue and violet. Elif emailed me to thank me for my interest that evening and wisely set up a blog last week after I queried how I could link to more of her work. Take note, other designers that I am struggling to write about!

Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 Elif Muzzafer
Elif Muzzafer with her girls. Definitely one to watch.

Renata Suchanova not only has a wonderful name but her website sports a pretty fabulous collection of purple clothing. It’s a shame I can’t find any snaps of her collection at Alternative Fashion Week – did I miss it? Was it incredibly different? I’ll probably never know…

Serbian Mila Popovic was found cursing the volcano – she had travelled overland to make the catwalk on time and was sounding harassed. Next to her the make up artist Maya was sporting the most fabulous henna arm tattoos. I liked Mila’s eclectic collection The Flowers of Romance which is co-designed with sister Tijana, and featured bright patterns mixed with traditional tailoring. According to the little booklet she raced off to find for me their Cash for Trash showroom promotes “eko design” though I am not sure in what way.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Popovic
Alternative Fashion Week day 4 2010 make up designer maya

UCreative from the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester closed the day with Metamorphosis/Transformation and another flurry of young girls in a melange of creamy ruffles. Make up artist Phoebe Dalziel explained that she used lace to spray paint directly onto the faces of the models.

Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 UCreative Rochester
Alternative Fashion Week Day 4 2010 Rochester
Rochester Girls. I used to teach on the fashion promotion course down there. Once upon a time.

Day 4 got so out of control that I have split it into two parts: you can read part one of this post here.
You can read up on day 2 here and day 3 here.

Categories ,Alternative Fashion Week, ,Brady Centre, ,Elif Muzaffer, ,ravensbourne, ,Renata Suchanova, ,Rochester, ,spitalfields, ,Tijana and Mila Popovic, ,Tower Hamlets, ,UCreative, ,University for the Creative Arts

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Amelia’s Magazine | Moving Textiles: Digital Encounters, an interview with Louize Harries

Louize Harries Digital Encounters
Louize Harries, Digital Encounters.

The University for the Creative Arts currently hosts Digital Encounters, the final exhibition in the Crysalis Project Moving Textiles series, curated by Jenna Rossi‐Camus. In this exciting exhibition the works of over forty emerging and established textile designers, artists and craftspeople explore the place of digital technology in contemporary textile practice. I spoke with exhibitor Louize Harries, formerly of Prick Your Finger and now engaged in her own fine art textiles practice.

Digital Encounters-Louise Harries robotcontactsheet
Louise Harries, Robot contact sheet.

How did you tackle the brief: Digital Encounters?
The question the curator set us was ‘How do you see the future of textiles and it’s relationship to digital media?’ Coming up with ideas for anything is the easy part for me; it’s the editing of them that is the harder bit! But, as the question was wide it was a good chance to tie up and bring together lots of ideas I had floating around and form them into something new. The development came with doing lots of research, starting with the stuff I am already into, which at the moment is sci-fi and robotploitation films (Cherry 2000, Sex Kittens Go To College, Metropolis) so it was like a giant join up the dots. I had also just finished reading Homer’s Iliad and I realised that Hephaestus (who makes Achilles’ armour) had golden mechanical handmaidens to assist him… so there it all was… the first mention of robots, and female ones… and the idea which every crafts person struggles with, which is the labour involved in making. Even Hephaestus struggled and he was the Greek god of craft. ‘Future’ in today’s discourse is often about progress and speed, but making handwoven tapestries must be one of the slowest techniques known to humans since the process hasn’t essentially changed since the 3rd century. So the only time it will speed up is if a weave bot is invented: I thought I’d become my own Hephaestus golden handmaid and using the technology I had available my on my iphone 4 I filmed and edited myself weaving a series of robot-selfies! I don’t tend to focus or attach myself too heavily to outcomes, so I see them almost as a side effect of the process and research and explorations. I welcome developments along the way and trust in any last minute swerves and detours!

Charley Mortley - Digital Depth of Fold
Charlie Mortley, Digital Depth of Fold.

What was the process of creation?
It was long! I can and do work to tight deadlines, so before each project I make a timetable so I know roughly how long I can spend doing R&R vs making… but this project had a long lead time so I enjoyed myself!

Digital Encounters-JamesFox_NotNow_2014
James Fox, Not Now.

Did you learn anything new from taking part in this exhibition?
YES! I learnt how to edit and do special effects on my phone and that I need to practice my public speaking cos I ALWAYS do a bit of a freezer during any presentations and symposiums and find myself thinking of odd stuff just when I’m supposed to be answering questions!

Digital Encounters-Faye Tinmouth_IT_PhotoChristopherTurner_2014
Faye Tinmouth

What else have you been working on this summer?
This summer I’ve also been working as part of an amazing collective set up by Lyall Hakaraia from Vogue Fabrics in Dalston. It’s called Vogue goes Rogue and we have done a series of creative journeys or ritualistic corporate journeys which have involved making totems and much magic and fun; for instance I made a 5×4 meter totem called THE COLLECTOR which we took to Glastonbury, paraded through Hackney and used in a performace at the Ram Place pop up fashion market/space set up by the Barbican as part of curation for the John Paul Gaultier exhibition.

Digital Encounters-Carol Quarini_unheededwarning_2014
Carol Quarini, Unheeded Warning.

What is your favourite method of textile construction at the moment and why?
My favorite method of textile construction is a hard one as I have a big love for all forms of constructed textiles… but having said that I do love weaving! I love that most methods are simple to grasp but take a life time to master, so you can always improve and you learn constantly. And it can all be done with really simple equipment: the fact that you only need two sticks or one hook or a basic frame to make the most amazing stuff still excites me!!

The Digital Encounters exhibition takes place at the Herbert Read Gallery on the UCA Canterbury campus and finishes on the 26th July so you have just a few days left to take a look at all the work on show for yourself.

@UCA_Crysalis
www.twitter.com/UCA_Crysalis
#digitalencounters

Categories ,Canterbury, ,Carol Quarini, ,Charlie Mortley, ,Cherry 2000, ,Crysalis Project, ,Digital Encounters, ,Faye Tinmouth, ,hackney, ,Handwoven, ,Hephaestus, ,Herbert Read Gallery, ,Iliad, ,interview, ,iphone 4, ,James Fox, ,Jenna Rossi‐Camus, ,Louise Harries, ,Louize Harries, ,Lyall Hakaraia, ,Metropolis, ,Moving Textiles, ,Prick your Finger, ,Ram Place, ,robot-selfies, ,Robotploitation, ,Sci-Fi, ,Sex Kittens Go To College, ,Tapestry, ,THE COLLECTOR, ,UCA Canterbury, ,University for the Creative Arts, ,Vogue Fabrics, ,Vogue goes Rogue

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Amelia’s Magazine | Free Range Art & Design Show 2014: Fine Art Exhibition Review

Free range lydia reeves
Dominance, Power and Serene Harmony (1) by Lydia Reeves.

It’s late I know, but I have just one more review left from a summer of graduate shows; the Free Range Art & Design Show Fine Art exhibition at the Truman Brewery. This is always a mixed bag but there were many things to delight at this year’s show.

Free Range Marjan Saberi, Renunciation
At Northumbria University show Marjan Saberi took a modern view of Renunciation with life size paintings grabbing the viewer at the entrance.

Free Range Max Harrison
It was not saying anything particularly new but I could not help but be drawn to Max Harrison’s huge splatter paint installation.

Free Range Sean Halcrow-cook installation
Sean Halcrow-Cook used wigs, extrusions and kitsch oddments to create an outsized site specific installation in the light well. It shouldn’t have worked but it somehow did.

Free Range Ryan Dovenor
Ryan Dovenor used delicate lines on black to create whirling sliced hypnotic illustrations.

Free Range Dogs, by Liam Sanders
Dogs were the theme for a large painting by Liam Sanders.

Free Range installation by Emma Trenchard
Oddly beautiful light installation by Emma Trenchard.

Free Range newcastle poster
I particularly loved the hand screen printed posters for the Newcastle Fine Art Degree Show, where a certain abstract style prevailed that I was drawn to.

Free Range Phil Frankland
Phil Frankland’s globes of juicy colour were slashed and rearranged into oddly familiar shapes.

Free Range Joseph Christa Michael
Joseph Christa Michael’s abstractions reminded me of paintings by Francis Bacon: fleshy with meat colouring.

Free Range newcastle 2
Free Range newcastle
I sadly did not get the names of all the artists at Newcastle but I liked the paintings above too. Get in touch if you know who I should credit them to!

Free range traci moss
Free range traci moss buttons
Free range traci moss animals
Northbrook College put on another strong exhibition. I was very intrigued by this curious little button person by Traci Moss. She also stuffed and dressed a variety of large animals to bold effect.

Free Range Hannah Lucy Whitlock
Hannah Lucy Whitlock’s splurgy daubs tapped into a popular aesthetic this year.

Free range Laura Patience
These chewed-up sweets spilling out of a stuffed chick are a commentary on the use of colour to make the repugnant appealing, by Laura Patience.

Free range Megan Ilet Mackie
Megan Ilet Mackie recycled old crockery for her toppling towers.

Free range Birds by Penni Pierce
These tactile ceramic birds are by Penni Pierce at University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury.

free range bath spa
This was at the entrance to the Bath Spa University exhibition space when I looked around – not a good look!

Free range Abigail Winter
Abigail Winter pictured friends and family in a gigantic photorealist paintings.

Free range toby lennox hilton
Toby Lennox Hilton made pixelated art inspired by digital images gone wrong. Grrrr, I know this pain all too well.

Free range Charlotte Lewis fabric tunnel
Charlotte Lewis created this colourful fabric tunnel.

free range painting
I really really loved these paintings by Becky Dodds, who is inspired by the transient nature of landscapes. The paint seems to be transforming in front of the viewer’s eyes and is just beautiful up close.

free range notes
Free range moon
Betty Hall really opened her heart in this anecdotal collection of miniature artworks.

Free range lydia reeves penis
Arts University Bournemouth students were notable for their professional online presence: other fine art courses could learn a thing or two. Lydia Reeves‘ loving depictions of penises are not for those of a nervous disposition, but I find them oddly beautiful.

Free range kerry fairclough
Kerry Fairclough’s kitsch paintings depict the everyday elements of life with deep affection. An Englishman’s Home is His Castle indeed.

Free range sam taylor
For Sam Taylor Size Matters, in this surreal manifestation of strange creatures with peculiar phallas cavorting on an altar.

Finally, I fell for this moving light installation by Sophie Newton, with a projection on rounded objects that reminded me of eyeballs and jellyfish.

Categories ,2014, ,Abigail Winter, ,An Englishman’s Home is His Castle, ,Arts University Bournemouth, ,Bath Spa, ,Bath Spa University, ,Becky Dodds, ,Betty Hall, ,Canterbury, ,Charlotte Lewis, ,Emma Trenchard, ,Fine Art, ,Free Range Art & Design Show, ,Hannah Lucy Whitlock, ,Joseph Christa Michael, ,Kerry Fairclough, ,Laura Patience, ,Liam Sanders, ,Lydia Reeves, ,Marjan Saberi, ,Max Harrison, ,Megan Ilet Mackie, ,Newcastle Fine Art Degree Show, ,Northbrook College, ,Northumbria University, ,Penni Pierce, ,Phil Frankland, ,Renunciation, ,review, ,Ryan Dovenor, ,Sam Taylor, ,Sean Halcrow-Cook, ,Size Matters, ,Sophie Newton, ,Toby Lennox Hilton, ,Traci Moss, ,Truman Brewery, ,University for the Creative Arts

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Amelia’s Magazine | An interview with illustrator Faye West, as featured in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration

(Commision which came about from Amelia's Mag feature) by faye west
Commission which came about from Amelia’s Magazine feature, by Faye West.

Faye West‘s whimsical watercolours first came to my attention nearly four years ago when she had just graduated from university. Since then a lot has changed, but her unique take on fashion illustration remains the same – beautiful, timeless and finally gaining the recognition it deserves. Since appearing in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration 2011 has been a busy year for Faye and 2012 looks set to be even more so, with a big move to London imminent. Time to check in with one of Amelia’s Magazine’s most prolific and delightful contributors…

My Fave 'Amelia's' piece by Faye West
Faye West‘s favourite illustration for me. This was to illustrate the Gossypium dress and bag that comes free with issue 10 of Amelia’s Magazine, and appears in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration.

You first came to my attention several years ago when you delivered some gorgeous (and yummy) hand decorated cupcakes to my door – what prompted the idea and what persuaded you to get in touch again last year?
My London College of Fashion friends finished their Fashion Journalism degree with a bit more of a clue in what was going on than I had (Faye studied at Fashion Promotion and Illustration at University for the Creative Arts), and knew Amelia’s Magazine was highly illustrative so we devised a plan to woo you with illustrated cupcakes. I had always meant to follow it up with some illustrations, but it was before I was twitter-conscious and the next brief I happened to see was in fact the ACOFI, or Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration open brief.

Faye west Cupcakes
Those infamous cupcakes! I wish I had taken a better photo… alas they have long since been demolished…

Florian-Jayet-by-Faye-West
Florian Jayet S/S 2012 by Faye West for Amelia’s Magazine.

How has producing fashion illustrations for Amelia’s Magazine and ACOFI developed your perception of the fashion and illustration worlds?
It has basically been a way to stay working to briefs, in the way you do as a student. It’s very hard to stay motivated without someone else setting you a brief because you are only doing self-authored work which tends to get a bit stale. The variety of images you then produce are so wide and interesting that your work just evolves through all the experimentation. Amelia’s Magazine is almost like a giant spider gram of illustration opportunities.

Finalist entry for V Mag Gaga comp
Finalist entry for V Magazine Lady Gaga competition.

You’ve just launched a sexy new website, what prompted the redesign?
I wanted to get a website up and running that was a bit more of a platform for my pieces, almost as though someone had decorated a Faye West shop for all of my work to be displayed or sold in. It was also a little challenge to myself to get to grips with the creative side to website building.

Sketchbook Magazine image by Faye West
Sketchbook Magazine image by Faye West.

What was behind your decision to create Edit Collective, and can you describe a bit more about the project?
I had just spent a while contacting galleries, local to Devon and London and had a very negative response. Which is all part of the business but having graduated over 6 years ago, exhibiting was a goal that was proving unobtainable. So I thought I’d see if anyone else was having the same issue and the idea of a group exhibition started. Edit Collective is basically to show off the work we have produced over the last year, all the JPegs sat on computer desktops, and original pieces filling up portfolios not seeing the light of day. I was so bowled over by the interest from other artists that it involves near to 30 artists. I hope to continue expanding this number each year, keeping to the proviso that it is editorial work. Fellow ACOFI featured illustrator Gemma Milly is partnering my venture and the majority of artists have come to know each others work through contributing to magazines such as Amelia’s Magazine.

Faye West Self Portrait
Faye West Self Portrait.

How did you get involved with Think Act Vote, and can you give us a taster of what you’ve produced?
I was sent a lovely email asking if I would like to take part in their upcoming publication. As a student I was away with the fairies, I had no political view point at all which seemed to vex my tutors a bit. But in my old age I am starting to become very interested and unfortunately angry at the current state of affairs. This is what drew me to to illustrate Katherine Hamnett‘s piece in particular. I have illustrated something playing on her infamous slogan tshirts, mixed with the idea of a figure representing Democracy in the same vein as the Statue of Liberty.

for Ballad of Faye West
Illustration for Ballad Of by Faye West.

What is the VV Collective and what you have done for it?
This is Vivian Vile, a collective put together by two artists who feel that young female artists can often be overlooked. I am always drawn to the feminine, and feel quite proud to be alongside some wonderful artists and photographers in the ‘Members Lounge‘ They were involved with Ladyfest this year which was something I had wanted to get involved with since being a student interested in Riot Grrls and the like. They have just launched a competition to submit a self portrait which, if successful will be exhibited at Cultivate on Vyner Street. I decided to really set myself a challenge and paint on canvas with acrylic which was a little more time consuming and frustrating at times compared to my usual water colours. 

Harriet Gray's Dream by Faye West
Harriet Gray‘s Dream by Faye West.

Gareth Hopkin's Dream by Faye West
Gareth A Hopkin‘s Dream by Faye West.

You’ve built up quite a friendship with Ukraine based illustrator Daria Hlazatova, recently creating Lupine Osmunda together – how did this come about – both meeting and doing a project together?
I am her number one fan. I just loved her work so much, it makes me feel like a child starting at fairy tales again! So basically I commissioned her to illustrate me scenes from the Twelve Dancing Princesses because it was a story book I had as a child with illustrations which fascinated me. We often chat on twitter and email and our discussions would turn to the bizarre dreams we were having so we decided to illustrate each others and turn it into a project.

Teatum Jones by Faye West
Teatum Jones S/S 2012 by Faye West for Amelia’s Magazine.

Apparently you have some exciting news, that you will be will soon be in-house illustrator for Ballad Of. How did this come about and what will you be doing?
Yes, it’s all very new so not started anything yet. But I really enjoyed doing some pieces for the girls for their last issue. They have a two submission limit to give everyone an opportunity to have their work showcased. It was the last submission for me which I was rather sad about! So I asked them to consider me if they were ever looking for someone to help out with little illustration jobs. They liked the idea and agreed to have me on board, so I am looking forward to their next issue and to start writing some of the Illustration blogs for them. Ballad Of is one of the things I found through fellow Amelia’s Magazine illustrators on their blogs and through twitter; a wonderful example of how many doors have opened from the advice you gave me to get some internet presence!

Ballad of Bag Faye WEST
Ballad Of tote bag by Faye West. Photo courtesy of Lindsey and Claire.

GLITTER love Faye West
GLITTER love by Faye West.

What has been the most exciting thing to happen because of your involvement with Amelia’s Magazine and ACOFI?
Has to be seeing my work on printed silk dresses for Beautiful Soul and finding out that I was one of the 30 illustrators going in to Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration! Also I designed an exclusive limited edition tote for Ballad Of‘s last launch party and I had a special Courtney Love commission (see above) from a blogger who like the image I did of the singer for Topshop Boutique a few years ago.

Tallulah pet portrait commission by Faye West
Tallulah pet portrait commission by Faye West.

Anything new coming up? What will you be up to in 2012?
At the moment I am working on portrait commissions for Christmas presents, I have had a high number of dog portrait requests this year! Very sweet. I love being asked because you know you’re helping someone give a special and unique gift. I plan to move back to London, get Edit Collective‘s exhibition under way, and I would really like to concentrate on some more print design. Here is a link for portrait commissions which I have just put together! Do get in touch!

Morris-Dancers-by-Faye-West
Morris Dancers by Faye West for Amelia’s Magazine.

You can see more of Faye West‘s beautiful work in Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration. Buy both my books together with four rare back issues of Amelia’s Magazine (including the one with the bag illustrated above) for just £50. A bargain! And I can’t wait to see how Edit Collective evolves.

Categories ,ACOFI, ,Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, ,Ballad Of, ,Beautiful Soul, ,Courtney Love, ,Cultivate, ,cupcakes, ,Daria Hlazatova, ,Devon, ,Edit Collective, ,Fashion Illustration, ,Fashion Promotion and Illustration, ,Faye West, ,Gareth A Hopkin, ,Gemma Milly, ,gossypium, ,Harriet Gray, ,interview, ,Katherine Hamnett, ,London College of Fashion, ,Lupine Osmunda, ,Pet Portraits, ,Riot Grrls, ,Sketchbook Magazine, ,Statue of Liberty, ,Think Act Vote, ,Topshop Boutique, ,Tote bag, ,Twelve Dancing Princesses, ,UCA, ,University for the Creative Arts, ,Vivian Vile, ,VV Collective, ,Vyner Street

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