19 October
Fashion V Sport examines the way that sports styles are adapted to make fashion statements, both on the street and through high fashion, and how sports and fashion products are consumed, customised and worn. ...function, form AND fashion!
Recent developments have seen an increasing number of collaborations and hybrids, from fashion designers producing collections with sportswear brands to sports personalities heading fashion campaigns or even designing their own collections.
This show has been broken down into four sections:
DARE - Technical innovation. Function and high performance are of primary concern in the design of sportswear. Considerable amounts of time and money are pumped into researching performance-enhancing garments and footwear. For years fashion designers have been integrating these technologies into their designs, often in direct collaboration with sports brands.
DISPLAY - Individuality and Uniformity. You've got ya trainers, a hooded jersey top and a pair of tracksuit bottoms... But how do you make it your look? Individuality can be expressed through subtle differences and modifications... This section explores how homemade street adaptations and the practice of customisation has motivated the production of industrially customised goods sold by the major sports brands.
PLAY - Exaggeration and vibrancy. Sportswear first crossed over into casual wear because it was comfortable and affordable. So today we see new-takes on the classics and remixed-retro ...absolutely anything goes! Designers have pushed the boundaries of what trainers and sports clothes can look like. Witty, ironic, sophisticated and inventive... the choice is ours! (see my favourite examples below)
DESIRE - Obsessive behaviour. Trainer envy, one-offs, limited editions and cult design pieces... This section pinpoints the place in which sportswear's function has become almost redundant and instead its fashionability has become the key feature.
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"My work is primarily based on exploring new structural solutions to clothe the human body" Aitor Throup
Aitor Throup was born to Argentinian parents in 1980. He lived in Spain before moving to Britain, where he grew up in Burnley. Graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2006, he received awards from Umbro, Evisu and Levi's before leaving college. His '06 graduate collection, a culture clash of street sportswear and religious symbolism, entitled, "When Football Hooligans Become Hindu Gods", won him much praise and recognition from the fashion high and mighty! Recent collabborations with Umbro, Stone Island and Topman are sure to keep this young talent in the spotlight.
"I want eventually to create toys, books, animations, sculptures and drawings. I want to show everything." Aitor Throup
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Aitor Throup was born to Argentinian parents in 1980. He lived in Spain before moving to Britain, where he grew up in Burnley. Graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2006, he received awards from Umbro, Evisu and Levi's before leaving college. His '06 graduate collection, a culture clash of street sportswear and religious symbolism, entitled, "When Football Hooligans Become Hindu Gods", won him much praise and recognition from the fashion high and mighty! Recent collabborations with Umbro, Stone Island and Topman are sure to keep this young talent in the spotlight.
"I want eventually to create toys, books, animations, sculptures and drawings. I want to show everything." Aitor Throup
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"The force of the Belgians and why a lot of them have survived is because they understand the balance between creativity and making a good quality product." Walter van Beirendonck
Walter van Beirendonck was born in the Netherlands in 1957. His career in fashion started during 1980, after graduating from Antwerps Royal Arts Academy. His early creative output was prolific and helped earn him a place in the now legendary 'Antwerp six' - the highly influential group of avantgarde fashion designers who graduated from the R.A.R. between 1980-81. Since 1983 he has un-leashed many collections and gained superstar status in his own right. He has designed stage outfits for U2, created a kids character and is currently the director of the Fashion Department at his old Academy. In 1995 his futuristic label - 'W<' (wild and lethal trash) brought us neon 'T's, freaky trousers and over-the-top knitwear. The Cartoon colours and rude characters took the public by storm...(me included). Spectacularly original catwalk presentations and a knowledge of new and exciting fabrics has kept Walters output at the forefront of contemporary fashion. He follows no one and must have the most fabulous name in the industry... BEIRENDONCK - you rock!
...Kiss the Future! W< Slogan
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Walter van Beirendonck was born in the Netherlands in 1957. His career in fashion started during 1980, after graduating from Antwerps Royal Arts Academy. His early creative output was prolific and helped earn him a place in the now legendary 'Antwerp six' - the highly influential group of avantgarde fashion designers who graduated from the R.A.R. between 1980-81. Since 1983 he has un-leashed many collections and gained superstar status in his own right. He has designed stage outfits for U2, created a kids character and is currently the director of the Fashion Department at his old Academy. In 1995 his futuristic label - 'W<' (wild and lethal trash) brought us neon 'T's, freaky trousers and over-the-top knitwear. The Cartoon colours and rude characters took the public by storm...(me included). Spectacularly original catwalk presentations and a knowledge of new and exciting fabrics has kept Walters output at the forefront of contemporary fashion. He follows no one and must have the most fabulous name in the industry... BEIRENDONCK - you rock!...Kiss the Future! W< Slogan
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"I don't think that blokes in bright colours and cartoon shapes look like big girl's blouses. In fact, it forces them to be bigger men. 'You have to be hard to carry it off.'" Carrie Mundane
The multi-talented Carrie Mundane is flying hi! Topman's design director, Gordon Richardson said 'She's a very distinctive fashion voice - a real tonic'. in 2007 she was nominated for 'best menswear designer' at the British fashion awards. In 2008 'Rolling Stone magazine' named her 'best fashion designer. Can she do no wrong? She has sprinkled her stylist glitter on the likes of the Klaxons, MIA and Late of the Pier. Nike and Nintendo, Topman, S***r and Uniqlo have all fallen for her Midas touch - eager to capitalise on her distinctive 'look' and target that all important youth/fashion market.
The CassettePlaya brand was born during 2006. Carrie and Nu Rave partner in grime, DJ Silverlink sent an amazing collection down the runway which gained instant acclaim and miles of press coverage. Huge dayglo-pixel characters, Sonic the hedgehog and neon bleeding eyes were just some the hi-lites! So-far - Fisher Price, original rave, graphical prints, computer games and Wotsits have influenced their collections... stay tuned to find out what happens next!
'A future street gang of pixel warriors battling real and virtual worlds. Sci-Fi grime boys, all wearing a toxicolour uniform of patterns, graphic shapes, luxury street and sportswear. Your megadrive just discovered narcotics!'
The multi-talented Carrie Mundane is flying hi! Topman's design director, Gordon Richardson said 'She's a very distinctive fashion voice - a real tonic'. in 2007 she was nominated for 'best menswear designer' at the British fashion awards. In 2008 'Rolling Stone magazine' named her 'best fashion designer. Can she do no wrong? She has sprinkled her stylist glitter on the likes of the Klaxons, MIA and Late of the Pier. Nike and Nintendo, Topman, S***r and Uniqlo have all fallen for her Midas touch - eager to capitalise on her distinctive 'look' and target that all important youth/fashion market.
The CassettePlaya brand was born during 2006. Carrie and Nu Rave partner in grime, DJ Silverlink sent an amazing collection down the runway which gained instant acclaim and miles of press coverage. Huge dayglo-pixel characters, Sonic the hedgehog and neon bleeding eyes were just some the hi-lites! So-far - Fisher Price, original rave, graphical prints, computer games and Wotsits have influenced their collections... stay tuned to find out what happens next!
'A future street gang of pixel warriors battling real and virtual worlds. Sci-Fi grime boys, all wearing a toxicolour uniform of patterns, graphic shapes, luxury street and sportswear. Your megadrive just discovered narcotics!'
