• Framed! (Fashion Space Gallery)

    Cyrus Karibu. I was excited to see the huge pair of wire mesh eyeglasses hanging from the ceiling in the reception area on my arrival to College today. An exciting programme of events in the Fashion Space Gallery, entitled ‘Elements of Fashion’ commences tomorrow with Framed! Contemporary Eyewear in Fashion. Over the coming year, the…

  • Ballgowns (V&A)

    Gown by Victor Edelstein, 1986. Worn and given by Lady Heseltine. Museum no. T.264-2001. Image © David Hughes 2011 Fashion is often accused of being frivolous, ephemeral and unnecessary. It is not essential to our survival as human beings. Perhaps it is a sign that times are peaceful, that we are able to create and…

  • Yayoi Kusama (Tate Modern)

    This week I visited the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at Tate Modern. As originally a fine artist, I have always been inspired by the works of female artists such as Frida Khalo and Louise Bourgeois. Kusama’s is a unique and seminal Japanese artist. Still working today in her late 80s, she has collaborated with artists such…

  • Beauty of Age: The Debate

    In preparing for the Beauty of Age debate tonight, a number of themes have emerged that have really set me wondering as to where our contemporary emphasis on equating youth with beauty will lead. For example, growing interest in the ancient fairy tale, Snow White. Currently a number of films, ballets and television programmes are…

  • SUBLIME: Beyond Duty

    Duty: that which one is bound by any obligation to do I have become increasingly interested in how certain actions become first acceptable to society and then, ultimately, something that you have to do. Following on from that, why do society and culture come to see certain behaviour or beliefs as acceptable when they are…

  • SUBLIME: The Fashion Body

    Sophie Robertson. BA (Hons) Fashion Photography The concept of the fashion body provokes in me a number of ideas and thoughts. For example, the role I play in an industry which is dedicated to style, personal identity or the ways we use clothes and adornment to express our bodies. How I like to try and…

  • SUBLIME: The Fashion Body

    The concept of the fashion body provokes in me a number of ideas and thoughts. For example, the role I play in an industry which is dedicated to style, personal identity or the ways we use clothes and adornment to express our bodies. How I like to try and fashion my body through running and…

  • SUBLIME: The Skin You're In

    A recent trip to New York was revealing not because of the shopping or food although they were as varied and wonderful as ever, but I was struck by the number of tattoos proudly worn by people from across the social strata. These tattoos were extensive and showed a permanent commitment to ritual and adornment…

  • Wardrobe Dilemmas

    Traditionally, spring is the time for out with the old and on with the new: a time for blossoming ideas, often about how we might take responsibility for innovating and starting again. To do this we must begin with the personal, we cannot bring about new directions if we believe the responsibility for it lies…