Hasta La Ideas

Designed in Hackney: scribbled faces on fabric masks feature in the latest collection from young designers Leutton Postle, who continue this week’s look at Hackney fashion designers.

Abstract illustrations of facial features adorn the collection, which combines textured knit, reverse appliqué, metallic yarn and tinsel.

Sam Leutton and Jenny Postle both studied at Central Saint Martins before making their debut together at London Fashion Week in September 2011. Their craft-led creations won them the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award for Spring Summer 2012.

Their studio is next to Hackney Downs.

Here’s some more information from Leutton and Postle:

Autumn/Winter 2012

The AW12 collection from cult design duo Leutton Postle is visually arresting, playful and intensely detailed.

Labour-intensive looks artfully meld textured knit and reverse appliqué together, often to surprising effect.

A knitted face is enlivened with a three dimensional weft of hair that becomes a ponytail.

Patterns come in the form of facial features, both illustrative in knitwear and abstract in textiles; a motif which is echoed throughout the collection.

Diverse inspirations ranging from tinsel to faces to blocks to Wes make for a muted colour palette (mulchy earth tones, putty, inky blues) offset with intense primaries.

Never afraid to utilise unusual materials in their work, splashes of tinsel and sparks of metallic yarn illuminate the collection.

Classic knitwear shapes such as vests, cardigans and v-neck jumpers are subverted and the classic smart skirt suit is re-hashed with intense patterning and metallic tones.

Garments are worn layered: delicately trimmed tunics are paired with boldly patterned trousers and heavy boucle jackets along with quirky headwear, which set a playful tone for the rest of the collection.

These are luxurious statement pieces in their own right and statement looks when worn together. The upshot? A sartorial mash-up for bold, vibrant women.

Designed in Hackney map:

.

Key:

Blue = designers
Red = architects
Yellow = brands

See a larger version of this map

Designed in Hackney is a Dezeen initiative to showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen’s offices. We’ll publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney each day until the games this summer.

More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.

Designed in Hackney: today’s colourful fashion focus is the neon bright Resort 2012 collection by Christopher Kane.

Kane’s vibrant collection embraces every colour of the visible spectrum.

Kane’s designs often involve a fusion of fabric, colour and print, and Resort 2012 includes pleated metallic lame, rainbow cashmere, tailoring and embroidery.

The designer is a former Central Saint Martins student and was awarded the Harrods Design Award for his 2006 graduate collection.

His studio is on Shacklewell Lane in Dalston.

Designed in Hackney map:

.

Key:

Blue = designers
Red = architects
Yellow = brands

See a larger version of this map

Designed in Hackney is a Dezeen initiative to showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen’s offices. We’ll publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney each day until the games this summer.

More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.

Designed in Hackney: Donna Wilson‘s Frank, Ernest and Henry Pouffes conclude our week focussed on designs that were developed in studios above SCP‘s Shoreditch shop. 

Top: Frank, Ernest and Henry in Treecloud
Above: Frank, Ernest and Henry in Nos Da

The three different sized pouffes are filled with calico bags, hand stuffed with 100% recycled PET fibre and upholstered with knitted panels in Wilson’s distinctive patterns.

Above: Frank, Ernest and Henry in Braid

The Braid patterned covers use a traditional Fair Isle knitting technique and were made in Scotland, while the Nos Da designs are produced in Wales.

Above: Frank, Ernest and Henry in Nos Da

Donna Wilson is based just outside of Hackney in Tower Hamlets. She has designed various products for SCP including furniture, rugs and cushions featuring her knitted textile designs. See all our stories on her work here.

Above: Frank, Ernest and Henry in Nos Da

All this week we have been featuring designs from SCP, a design brand that has been based in Hackney since 1985, working with some of the best designers in the industry. We have included the Josiah pendant light by Terence Woodgate, Tom Tom & Tam Tam by Konstantin Grcic, the Balzac armchair by Matthew Hilton and Side Table by Jasper Morrison.

See all our stories about SCP»

Here is some more information on the Frank, Ernest & Henry Pouffe from SCP:

In 2009 Donna Wilson came up with a playful response to the problem of occasional seating with a range of three low-lying pouffes, designed to bring a little softness, intimacy and colour into the home. Each pouffe is made by hand stuffing Calico bags with 100% recycled PET fibre and upholstering them with the knitted panels, reminiscent of segments of an orange.

The Braid upholstery is also designed by Donna Wilson and knitted in Scotland from 100% lamb’s wool using a traditional Fairisle knitting technique. Also available in Nos Da, Bora Da, Zig Zag and Treecloud fabric. The pouffes are one of the many designs by Donna Wilson for SCP. Other designs include the Nos Da and Bora Da collection, Bertha armchair, Motley ottoman, Munro sofa and Sprig bone china collection. Designed in Hackney, made in Norfolk.

Key:

Blue = designers
Red = architects
Yellow = brands

See a larger version of this map

Designed in Hackney is a Dezeen initiative to showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen’s offices. We’ll publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney each day until the games this summer.

More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.

Movie: burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese morphs into a stiletto shoe every fifteen minutes in a holographic performance that was created by London company Musion for the Design Museum‘s exhibition on iconic shoe designer Christian Louboutin.

This film shows the making of the hologram, projected onto a stage in the main exhibition room that’s shaped like an upside-down shoe.

Inspired by fairgrounds and cabaret shows, the exhibition was designed by Hackney studio Household.

It includes a shadow theatre, fetish room with photographs by David Lynch and a recreation of Louboutin’s Paris studio.

The exhibition continues until 9 July.

Photographs are by Luke Hayes.

Here’s some more information from Musion:

Christian Louboutin’s sensational retrospective comes alive with a Musion holographic performance from Dita Von Teese

On the 30th April, Musion will help mark the beginning of a ten week, spectacular exhibition from designer Christian Louboutin and The Design Museum. Dedicated to design and architecture, the world leading museum will commemorate over two decades of Louboutin’s career in the first UK exhibition dedicated to the iconic shoe designer. With the event drawing on his creative concepts and inspirations, in a thematic rather than chronological format, it will offer visitors a truly unique experience.

The Design Museum has enlisted the help of holographic leader Musion, to create the museum’s first ever holographic installation. To illustrate one of his early design inspirations, the showgirl, the ‘queen of burlesque’ Dita Von Teese, will be turned into a three dimensional holographic performance.

Taking centre stage, the breathtaking vision involves Ms Von Teese’s unmistakeable silhouette morphing from an oversized Christian Louboutin shoe before proceeding to dance around the stage. The performance concludes with Dita Von Teese transforming back into the elegant stiletto.

Ian O’Connell, Director of Musion, said, “The Design Museum is a perfect organisation to work with. Its support for creativity and innovation matches the same philosophies we believe in at Musion. Our technology has been used to its full artistic potential for Christian Louboutin’s awe-inspiring showcase and we are thrilled to be part of this celebration.”

Musion EyelinerTM technology is a unique high definition holographic projection system which delivers remarkably life-like, full-scale images within a live stage environment. Its holographic effect is created through an adaptation of the 19th Century Pepper’s Ghost technique. Musion recorded and filmed Dita Von Teese for the Musion EyelinerTM display with post-production partner Square Zero providing special effects and animation. A video explaining how the holographic projection was created will be shown alongside the installation at the exhibition.

Christian Louboutin
1 May – 9 July

The Design Museum presents the first UK retrospective of iconic French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, celebrating a career which has pushed the boundaries of high fashion shoe design. This exhibition celebrates Louboutin’s career to date and showcases twenty years of designs and inspiration, revealing the artistry and theatricality of his shoe design from stilettos to lace-up boots, studded sneakers and bejewelled pumps. Louboutin’s shoes are the epitome of style, glamour, power, femininity and elegance.

Designed in Hackney: this week’s focus on classics from design company SCP in the heart of Shoreditch continues with the Balzac armchair by Matthew Hilton.

Created in 1991, it was the first upholstered piece from SCP and went on to be their best-selling chair of all time.

It’s manufactured entirely in their Norfolk factory, which has just been expanded so all chair-making processes can happen under one roof.

All this week our Designed in Hackney series features designs from the archives of SCP, working with some of the best designers in the industry at its Shoreditch headquarters since the mid 1980s. See their first product, Jasper Morrison’s Side Table, in yesterday’s story.

See all our stories about Matthew Hilton »
See all our stories about SCP »

Here’s what SCP have to say about the Balzac armchair:

In 1991 came our first upholstery piece, the Balzac armchair by Matthew Hilton. The chair has a solid beech frame and is upholstered in multi-density foam with feather cushions and American oak legs. Few were sold in the first two years and it initially received mixed reviews but the chair went on to become the bestselling SCP chair of all time, something of an icon. Conran took it on in 1993 and continue to stock it in all of their stores today. It was included in the well-known Taschen book “1000 Chairs” and has a permanent residency at the Geffrye Museum, the Museum of the English Domestic Interior. Many famous people have been spotted sitting on the Balzac including politicians and rock stars. The Balzac is still in production today. Designed in Hackney, made in Norfolk.

Key:

Blue = designers
Red = architects
Yellow = brands

See a larger version of this map

Designed in Hackney is a Dezeen initiative to showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen’s offices. We’ll publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney each day until the games this summer.

More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.