Atelier Magazine

The Rebel Child: Finger In The Nose

Clothing brands for children have gotten cooler over the last few years and Finger In The Nose  is definitely no exception.  Based in Paris, the clothing has "a lot of authenticity, a dose of Rock & Roll, combined with a dose of functionality." 

This label is not just about cutting a stylish figure on the streets; integral to its DNA is the long-term quality of the pieces, offering superior comfort and wearability. They use 9-11 ounce real European denim with raw, stone, bleach, snow and leather-look washes, and real feather down for their jackets and Geelong merino angora for their knitwear. Their 100% cotton tees feature wild animals and mythology-style graphic prints. The only negative? Your kids could quite likely steal the spotlight from your own Satorial efforts. Consider yourself warned! - Kate Vandermeer, The Cool Hunter

Enchanted Palace: The Veil That Obscures The Restoration

Kensington Palace is being transformed. As the walls of the palace are being shaken by a £12 million renovation project the rubble and the dust is unleashing powerful and secret stories about the lives of Kensington's princesses.

At the heart of the Enchanted Palace  journey is a quest for the seven princesses who once lived here. Their lives have been re-imagined as installations offering a fascinating interpretation of the palace's hidden stories.

OK, this is amazing;  An exhibition space opened in the middle of a construction zone.  It's as if  Rei Kawakubo has built a guerilla exhibition and performance space in one of the most famous of London palaces. The Enchanted Palace will feature works and pieces from Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest, Stephen Jones, Boudicca, Aminaka Wilmont and Echo Morgan.

As I was a little late for entrance earlier today, I will have to wait until Monday to visit Kensington Palace and experience the fantasy for myself.

Maria Cavallo: Fine Art, Couture and the Atelier

When I asked Maria to be my first studio visit, I wasn't sure if it would even take place.  It seemed that every time there was an exhibition or event where I could experience Maria's work, the stars were just not aligned.  Therefore, I was delighted when I received confirmation.

Having recently graduated form the MA program at Central Saint Martin's in London, Maria worked on her folio for a good part of the year before submitting it to the Ecole de Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.  The clothing definitely rides on the line of being fine art, but isn't that what couture is all about?  And her process is much different than most fashion designers;  It begins with a 2D surface, some pins, fabric and a camera.  From there she uses a collage technique to transfer the piece to a flat form and will then begin to drape and piece the clothing based on the result of the collage.

The final result being structured and strong, yet easy at the same time.

Maria sites the neighborhood surrounding her studio/flat as an influence on her work.  Home to a large population of Orthodox Jewish people, the feeling on the street is uncomplicated and balanced.  When viewing her porcelain accessories, it really hit me ... that calmness of symmetry. 

I think that the move to Paris and the experience at the Ecole de Chambre Syndicale can only yield even more amazing results.

 






 

Anna Piaggi: The Work Space

The first time I saw Anna Piaggi with her Olivetti, I became intrigued with the personalization of the space in which one works.  How does this space affect how we create?  Or does it just serve as a mere box to shade us from outside influence?

In her book, Fashion Algebra, it all becomes quite clear.  For Anna, creativity is within her ... just as she needs air to breath, she needs to release her creativity.