J.W. Anderson Spring Summer 2011: “The Devoured And I”

J.W. Anderson continues his exploration of youth sub-cultures with his Spring Summer 2011 collection entitled “The Devoured and I.”

It documents the intimacy and journey of two people as they experiment and get lost in self-discovery – and subsequently the fallout and consequences of this.

An ongoing theme of Anderson is the apparent contradiction of our experiences, in this case the blinding colour and then darkness, the heat and cold sweat, the liberation and oppression.

Anderson first looked at the photographer William Gedney, closely working with Duke University, New York, who hold Gedney’s full body of work, including his diaries.

Looking specifically at how Gedney would document the journey of these two people. What results is a psychedelic mismatch of clashing fabrics; patchwork and dip dye on a tight silhouette.

Embellishments are key: Swarovski crystals are presented in an unexpected way and become one of the unifying themes of the collection. Hand crocheted doilies are applied to tulle tops and then dip dyed with neon colours, representing hallucinations. The ultimate hallucinatory effect is created on the boots, which appear to have Swarovski crystal formations growing from the toes.

See all the photos here.

Photos & text Copyright Oki-Ni.

John Rocha's Fragrant Harmony

Like his ever-expanding portfolio of designer collections, John Rocha is an exotic mixture of Chinese and Portuguese descent. Born in Hong Kong, John was raised in a "fragrant harbor" where East meets West on a daily basis. As traditional society mingles with a booming cosmopolitan center, so the city's sprawling skyline harmonizes with its natural setting.

John decided to study fashion in the 1970's and, thus, moved to London. As he was experimenting with Irish linens for his graduate collection, John visited Ireland, where he has resided with his wife Odette for the past 20 years. Besides working with fine fabrics, John's portfolio has expanded to embrace crystal, jewelry, architecture, lighting, and interior design.

Similar to his fragrant city of origin, John's creations are a crossroads of the graceful flowing strokes in Chinese calligraphy and the simple clean lines of Irish patterns. Brilliantly harmonizing contemporary styles with classic traditions, John strikes a dramatic balance between texture, form, and detail—regardless of the medium.

Twelve years after winning the prestigious title British Designer of the Year in 1994, the Queen of England bestowed upon John Commander of the British Empire for his manifold contributions to the fashion industry.

As you visit John's sprawling portfolio of creative works, allow yourself to savor the eclectic aromas of his harmony, gracefulness, and purity by clicking here.

Stay tuned for another article on John Rocha's exciting life and career in the world of design!

Photos 2009 a/w collection Copyright by John Rocha.