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| Paper Fashion Show at the British Library |
One of the highlights of the evening was an impressive paper fashion show by CSM Fashion Print students who were inspired by the Library's images, Japanese and Russian collections. The whole atmosphere of the building was transformed by the spectacular paper dresses and all the activities going on throughout the evening.
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| Paper Fashion Show at the British Library |
People were having their portrait drawn by a fashion illustrator and a make-over with cosmetics brand Chantecaille, inspired by Cecil Beaton. There was also the popular photobooth where friends were playing around with different props creating their own memento of the night.
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| Fashion Flashback at the British Library |
But the most captivating moments of Fashion Flashback were the insights into the publishing industry by GQ editor-in-chief Dylan Jones, fashion academic Iain R Webb and writer Camilla Morton. Fashion illustrator Tanya Ling, whose work V&A has recently purchased, was also very interesting.
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| Paper Fashion Show at the British Library |
If you're wondering about what an editor-in-chief looks for, Dylan Jones revealed it's all about having an opinion and being confrontational. It's also important not to have a preconceived idea about the subject you're working on but immerse yourself totally on it.
"I was lucky enough to discover something I was passionate about earlier in life." Dylan Jones, GQ editor-in-chief
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| Fashion Flashback at the British Library |
Fashion academic Iain R Webb confessed one of his favourite places in the world is Colindale where he enjoys sourcing magazines and newspapers to find information for his books. When he embraces a new project, he organises a structure for it, making lists of people to interview, drawing things and writing things down.
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| Latest book by Iain R. Webb |
His latest book took two years to write and it includes original collaborators of Blitz magazine published between 1980-91 such as Nick Knight. The forward is written by renowned stylist Katie Grand. "Putting a book together is a very physical thing for me, the feel of the book is really important and it's also about editing and having the confidence to leave things out".
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| Paper Fashion Show finale at the British Library |
"A book you treasure, you keep for life, it's like a friend you take home with you." Camilla Morton
The evening ended with Camilla Morton who has a vibrant and engaging presence. She trained to be an opera singer before going into fashion and used to write love letters as the character of John Galliano's fabulous collections for Dior. She speaks as a storyteller, recounting her fashion experiences with humour and grace. She compared writing a book with composing a symphony.
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| Camilla Morton at the British Library |
It's important to have all the different instruments working together and research is also a big part of her work. She enjoys being shut away in libraries and goes out to galleries, clubs and fashion shows "where you see all these characters just begging to have their story told."
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| Fashion Flashback at the British Library |
Other related blog posts:
DVF: Love is Life
20 Years of Dazed & Confused Magazine
Manolo Blahnik: a Fairytale