…years before the iWatch as well, and to be honest, in a much more beautiful and spectacular way.
Text: Iliana Deligiorgi
How can one combine tradition and technology, without doing wrong to none of them? I would ask Hussein Chalayan. His often handmade clothes with the simple, minimal and not really elaborated lines are so incredibly combined with technology that transform every single of his creations into live performances. From micro-chip dresses, to furnitures turning into skirts, Swarovski crystals with lasers that light up, dresses that change colour and patterns with just a slight pull or sugar-glass garments completely destroyed with small hammers, there’s nothing this man hasn’t done.
Born in Cyprus, in the part of the island that is under Turkish occupation, Hussein Chalayan identifies London as a big part of himself and his background. The city of London had a big influence on him and his creations, as he was one of the lucky ones who witness the rise of the Brit-art back in the 90’s. Starting his career as a designer then the field was hungry for new creators, he didn’t just rest in his talent as a tailor. He developed his skills and collaborated with many other artists and technicians, giving us incredible fashion shows to be impatient for, season after season. What’s next? Nobody knows, but according to the designer himself, the risk that he takes every time he does something innovative is more that big, but so worth taking it.
“I loved the idea of a video moment as a dress.” – Hussein Chalayan
Discover, remember or get inspired by Hussein Chalayan’s designs in the images and video below. For those who are not familiar with his work, be prepared for a ‘pleasant shock’.
Autumn/Winter 2000
Spring/Summer 2001
Spring/Summer 2007
Spring/Summer 2008
