Turkish born artist/designer Hussein Chalayan and Central Saint Martins graduate (1993) has managed to construct an installation that explores composition, music and form all in one.

The exhibition is made up of four different rooms, each one home to an alternate aspect of the composition in itself.

The first, as you walk into the gallery, is a statue of the vocalist herself. Central to the room, your gaze becomes transfixed on her vivacity. The alabaster figure creates the allusion of purity and delicacy, whilst the projector creates contrast as her face is full of energy, enthusiasm and, of course, animation. Chalayan projects the image of the vocalist’s face onto the statue to give the allusion of the figure actually singing: eyes blinking, lips moving—she’s got it all.

The room adjacent to the figure is totally plain. Excluding the numerous speakers of course. This room’s focus is on the voice itself, without background music of any kind. It is clever as it manipulates the voice in itself, rather than allowing yourself to concentrate on both the orchestra, as well as the vocalist.

With much anticipation I stumbled downstairs into a dark room filled with yet another projection. This time, it was complete with vocals, orchestra and visuals.

The last space was occupied with yet another projection, this time of
the orchestra alone.

The installation itself seemed exceptional at first, until further investigation. To me it lacked substance and seemed somehow inadequate in comparison to his intense and design. Simplicity, might be what he may have been aiming for. However, the installation does deserve some accreditation as Chalayan was taking a fresh and alternative approach in contrast to his usual art.

The order of this concept was somewhat confusing. The gallery space seemed rather insufficient to say the least. I would have thought that the main projection should have come first, and then gradually waned in descending order.

To conclude, the installation held an impressive stance and deserves much praise. Particularly the constant eye contact from the vocalist in the main projection. However, it was something less than what I expected from the renowned Hussein Chalayan.

H&M’s summer campaign is right under my nose, and I’d say it’s slightly too close. £3.99 bikini tops? I guess that explains the unfortunate choice of pattern and colour. It’s a shame as they hire such gorgeous and renowned models to wear such vulgar pieces. To be fair they are plain and simple, so perfect if you’re not too bothered. But for those who are, I have hunted down a few exquisite and interesting bikinis…

Topshop Fan and Bird Style Bikini: £25

Topshop Bow Print Style Bikini: £28

Paul Smith Floral Style Bikini: £55

The new high-waisted style bikini bottoms are irresistable for le petit derriere.

Urban Outfitters Floral Print High Waisted Style Bikini: £28

Less is certainly not more…

Liberty Ianthe Print One Piece: £110

And a unique take on the one piece from Peter Jensen:

Peter Jensen Rabbit Placement Suit: £105

catwalking.com

catwalking.com

One eye-catching collection was that of the St. Martin’s graduate Jean-Pierre Braganza. His cyclonatron collection consisted of dark colour tones such as blacks and burgundy’s which gave the outfits a real edge which grabbed my attention among the other shows exhibited at London Fashion Week.

Much like Marios Schwab’s collection, Braganza embraced the futuristic and modernised look within his fall collection. It was abundant in bodycon and origami-type shapes with wide shoulders and digital tie-dye prints. Once again, the fascination of hard versus soft materials were evident in this collection, particularly the coal-black leather panels.

Braganza used a lot of hard tailoring, creating structured and tight-fitting garments which oozed sex appeal with an innovative twist.
What really made the collection for me was the peculiar hair styles which were enthralling and laid emphasis on Bragnanza’s futuristic approach to his fall collection this year.

catwalking.com

catwalking.com

yuketen.com

yuketen.com

selectism.com

I recently discovered Mr. Hare’s footwear. The shoes are perfection in themselves and the photography on the website is experimental and enlightening…

mrhare.co.uk

mrhare.co.uk

mrhare.co.uk

mrhare.co.uk

mrhare.co.uk

These shoes are available at Dover Street Market and oki-ni.com.