New Zealand Fashion: Salasai

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Established in 2006 by designer Kirsha Whitcher, the Salasai label has fast gained a reputation as being a major player in New Zealand fashion, known for its conceptually designed codes on dressing, Whitcher uses her understanding of design and innovative approach to develop a sculptural aesthetically pleasing androgynous fashion brand committed to producing clothing of quality, function and nonchalant grandeur. 

MANIAMANIA: THE THIRD MIND part 3

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MANIAMANIA’S Spring 2012 Collection, ‘The Third Mind’ channels the dreamlike spirit and unpredictable visual collisions of the surrealist age. Free from the constraints of rational thought, the collection is constructed in ways that allude to the Exquisite Corpse technique - whereby words and images are collectively assembled and relish an absence of control. The range moniker pays homage to The Third Mind, a 1978 book and concept by William Burroughs and Brian Gysin, which showcased the ‘cut ups’ technique originating from the Surrealists - a form later adapted to film making by Kenneth Anger and Maya Deren. In this mode, unrelated texts and images where literally cut up and rearranged to form radical narratives and vistas. The concept signifies a shared consciousness and creative output, only reachable by two or more people; a place neither could reach alone. In MANIAMANIA tradition, primary metals and natural stones are transfigured. ‘The Third Mind’ meshes Brass and Sterling Silver with Pyrite crystal stone, Amethyst and Tourmalinated Quartz in a series of exquisite forms and symbols to free ones self from time and convention. This fourth range fromMANIAMANIA expands with extensions on signature best sellers from the Immortals series, including a Limited Edition exclusive ‘Abbey Lee Ring’, inspired by modern muse Abbey Lee Kershaw. Collaborating with filmmaker, Elle Muliarchyk and featuring Abbey Lee for a second season, a three part series of short films and campaign images were created using artful techniques of the avant-garde. This included a set built of a life size kaleidoscope which created hypnotic repeat mirror imagery which looks as technical and modern as the digitally mastered alternative, but has tell tale realism of warped angles and beautiful accidents; elements also achieved within MANIAMANIA’s ‘Third Mind’ collection. View film after the jump.

TOM FOOL ARE WE

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Tom Fool are We? The third innovation born from the collaborative efforts of designer Lindsey Thornburg, photographer/director Olivia Malone and director/editor Crystal Moselle follows two mischievous “clowns” as they gallivant through the countryside. The films inspiration comes from French new wave films and psychedelic directors such as Jean Rollin and Alejandro Jodorowsky.  In addition to the cloaks for which Thornburg is most well known, Fall Winter 2010 Lindsey released her first full ready to wear collection. See film after the jump.

[first look] CHARLOTTE TAYLOR S/S 2012 fashion film

LONDON – Charlotte Taylor's extraordinary and eccentric use of fabrics with silhouettes of penguins, bees, and fishermen, and her ability to utilize them to create such refined, chic and wearable pieces make her truly an artist of a designer. With the fourth collection of her eponymous label, and to start off London Fashion week, she commissioned UK creative agency HarrimanSteel to create a short fashion film that captures the spirit of her Spring/Summer 2012 collection – which draws inspiration from "Japanese art and culture, bee-keeping and fishing."  

Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo Retrospective

Veruschka, Wrap by Giorgio di Sant'Angelo - photograph by Richard Avedon

Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo (1933-1989) rose to prominence during the late 1960s with his exuberant and colorful accessories and collections. With an eye for fantasy, Sant’ Angelo created expressive collections that merged his own Latin upbringing with gypsy, Aztec, American Indian and Asian influences among others. Eclectic mixes of vibrant fabrics with rich ornamentation were combined in free-body designs to reflect his ideas of modern sensuality. By reversing the role of stretch fabrics from innerwear to outerwear, he revealed the shape of the natural body as a modern fashion fundamental. “Silhouette as we’ve known it, as something imposed by fashion is finished. The only silhouette for 1971 is the body,” he proclaimed. An exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum presents the first ever Museum retrospective to highlight the extraordinary ingenuity of American designer Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo. Opening September 17 and closing February 12, 2012.