“In the Mood for” LAB

LAB HOMME AH11 range is titled “In the mood for” inspired by the film In the Mood for Love by director Wong Kar Wai.

Taking you on a journey to rediscover the intimate living of Hong Kong in the late 50's with European undertones.

Stories of secrets, affairs and matters of the heart lends as reference to LAB’s signature simple yet modern approach to classic menswear.

Have a look at the images here.

Images courtesy of James Demitri for LAB, text copyright LAB Gallery.

A New Era with Lab Gallerie

LAB for Cause—See the Light Aids charity tee is a project very dear to the heart designer Chris Cheng.

For autumn/winter 2010, Chris has enlisted a New Era of sporting stars to lend their face and bodies in support for LAB’s “See the light Charity tee project.

With 30% of proceeds from the sales of “See the Light” tee to benefit the Aids Trust of Australia & ACON. (Online sales of See the Light tee—50% contribution.)

See the collection here.

Photos Copyright Lab Gallerie.

“Beautiful Minds” with LAB | Su du est

In the past, I have reviewed several collections from Chris Cheng’s main line, which bears the title LAB Local Art Base.

Now, I would like to introduce you to the premium line at LAB, which is entitled LAB Su du est.

Chris has truly outdone himself with this line’s 2010 autumn/winter collection called “Beautiful Minds,” which is inspired by lunacy and insanity—an eventful twist on hospital chic that plays on matters of the mind.

The collection draws influence from a range of films, including Requiem for a Dream, Fightclub, Amelie, and Clockwork Orange.

Reflecting the layers of the conscious mind, the collection abounds in pleating and folds.

The lookbook stills have been taken from a short film, which vividly introduces the collection.



Photo & slideshow Copyright LAB GALLERIE ®.
Art Direction - Chris Cheng
Styling Assist - Aska Yokoyama
Hair & Makeup - Jo Candelaria
Photography - David Taylor
Film Director - Harry Triglone
Backstage Fotos - Fernando Barraza
Model - Joseph. S
Model - Ben. F
Shoes Courtesy of Diesel - Black Gold.

"Love is a Stranger" Lookboook from LAB

Several days ago, I posted an article entitled “Love is a Stranger” with LAB, in which I narrated the general plot of Madame Butterfly.

Tonight, I just received the “Love is a Stranger” Lookbook from designer Chris Cheng, and I wanted to post it immediately.

Enjoy the fresh colors and new trends soon coming your way!



Credits:
LAB H O M M E PE10'
Art Direction - Chris Cheng
Photography - Romain Machefer
Hair & Makeup - Danii Harry
Models - Jason.B @ Chadwick & Scott.B
Shot on Location: Paddington, AUS. Courtesy of Iain Dawson Gallery www.iaindawson.com
Shot on Location: Sydney, AUS. Courtesy of Montique Exclusive Furniture www.montique.com.au

"Love is a Stranger" with LAB

When Giacomo Puccini wrote the tragically romantic opera Madame Butterfly at the turn of the 19th century, I doubt he was expecting to inspire a entire line of menswear!

Set in a home within the city of Nagasaki in the 1890’s, Madame Butterfly narrates a story of a dashing US Navy officer who falls in love with a 15-year-old girl whom he compares to a fragile butterfly.

From the beginning of time, soldiers have been falling in love with someone where they are stationed. This is precisely what designer Chris Cheng of the Sydney-based company Local Art Base (LAB) had in mind for spring/summer 2010:

“My aim for this collection is to emulate the mental processes of soldiers in love. Just like love, the pieces had to have an element of longevity in them, but yet variations that celebrate the emotional landscapes of someone that's deeply in love. Classic styles were updated with unexpected fabrics or applications to provide something of interest and something that speaks to the heart.”



Photo & slideshow Copyright Local Art Base.

LAB—Magical Art Encapsulated in Japanese Design

So what does painter and writer Henri Fuseli of the 18th century have in common with 20th century designer Yōji Yamamoto? Local Art Base, commonly known as LAB!

Born Johann Heinrich Füssli in 1741, Switzerland—the second of 18 children—Henri was eventually expelled from his homeland, sojourning in nearby countries like Germany, England, and Italy where he changed his name to the Italian-sounding Fuseli.

Somewhat reckless in technique, Fuseli painted more than 200 works before his death, often emphasizing supernatural themes. At times superior to his paintings, Fuseli's sketches total 800, many of which are known for their exaggerations.

On the other side of the globe, and several centuries later, Yamamoto Yōji was born in Tokyo, graduating in law from Keio University in 1966. He furthered his studies at Bunka Fashion College where he earned a degree in 1969.

After his 1981 debut in Paris, Yamamoto rose to fame as an avant-garde designer whose signature is the over-sized silhouette frequently in black with multi-textured drapery.

At his debut at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Sydney designer Chris Cheng of Local Art Base unexpectedly brought together European art and Japanese design.

In his LAB Homme “Debut” collection, Chris reinterpreted the supernaturalism of Fuseli’s paintings, the exaggerations of his sketches, and the romantic narrative of his literary works, encapsulating them in the inventiveness of Yamamoto's modern Japanese styling.



Photo top left by the Yorck Project Copyright Wikipedia Public Domain.
Slide show photos by David Taylor, LAB Homme "Debut" collection, Copyright Lab Art Base.