Celebrated Stains

I think it's important to mention that I have an obsession with stains, decay, wear, anything that is particularly perceived as negative. My work explores how these stains bear the traces of life and I'm keen to challenge our values towards them. I have come across many designers who like me are fascinated by these traces and discovered the work of Kristine Bjaadal. Her Underfull Tablecloth makes accidental spills and stains into a design feature, celebrating the story of their appearance. Also her Underscog Textile prototype embraces the breaking down of textile fibres as something which should be celebrated. The textile wears away to reveal a pattern which celebrates use and denounces throw away culture. These textiles are to be cherished, and over time their beauty grows.

http://kristinebjaadal.wordpress.com/

Mastercrafts-Weaving

I know I am very old in mentioning this as this program was aired months ago but I have only just got round to watching it and loved it. I have many weaver friends and I don't think they get enough credit so it's good to see something celebrating how much work goes in to producing woven textiles. I can safely say this from my taster in first year of the basics of weave where I nearly had a nervous breakdown! So hip hip hooray for the weavers.

Maison Martin Margiela 20 comes to London

I am waiting in apprehension for the Maison Martin Margiela 20 exhibition which is coming to Somerset house in June. They opperate so far away from the norms of fashion and through their designs question the industry as a whole. Thier Artisanal collections have been of particular interest to me as they elevate the status of normal every day objects through clever transformations and re-workings.

The picture to the left is one of my favourites made from strips of elastic and just demonstrates the pure ingenuity of this fashion house.