Art + Design at Concept Fashion Week
Skingraft, photos by N. Jayne Seward
Designers showing at Concept Fashion Week showed off their creative side. The event held at the Ace Gallery, included an installation format which gave designers a unique opportunity to express their vision. Videos, artwork and live models were all part of the mix.
Skingraft designer Jonny Cota made a couture statement. Models dressed in the all black collection wore stunning head pieces made from human hair covered in latex and paint. Trench coats were trimmed in goat hair, knit and leather cardigans paired with leather leggings and leather dresses worn skin tight. Cota said the collection was inspired by his grandmother’s recent passing. “It was very sad, but there is a beauty to it. It reminded me of the fragility of life.”
For designer Curly-V, a Jeremy Scott protégé, classical nautical inspiration was transformed into a playful collection made of unexpected materials. Velvet, lace, Mongolian fur and white vinyl appliqués collided in a mix of textures. Models set amongst a sea of blue balloons and an animated video presentation created a light-hearted mood. Jenny Dayco jewelry added the finishing touch.
“Project Runway” finalist Mila Hermanovski debuted a capsule collection made from recycled cashmere. The designer’s signature textures and graphic shapes were emphasized in a clean white room with her designs hanging from the ceiling. The designer who has been working with Colleen Atwood on the new Tim Burton film “Dark Shadows” is taking an artist’s approach with the collection. “I treat every piece like a painting because I use limited supplies,” explained Hermanovski who been envisioning creating a collection made from repurposed fabrics for years. “Originally I thought just scarves and maybe arm warmers, but now it’s going to be an ongoing high-end line,” she said.
ISM Mode designer, Inka Sherman, created a separate vignette to coordinate with each outfit. A silver silk dressed was paired with metal sculpture, a tuxedo-inspired look set in front on an enlarged photo of downtown Los Angeles and lady-like tops and skirts were color-coordinated with Gary Palmer paintings. The installation illustrated Sherman’s conceptual approach to design. “There is a lot of structure in the clothes,” she explained. “It goes from construction to environment. Everything has to be comfortable, but sophisticated at the same time.”
Skingraft
ISM Mode, photo by Volker Corell
Curly-V
MILA
Kittinhawk
