INSPIRATION
The Art Deco movement was best known as an age of extremes. It represented not only the fast and the new, but also a return to traditional design aesthetics. Spanning the hedonistic, Roaring Twenties and the Depression-hit 1930s, Art Deco affected an array of design forms; from architecture, film, fashion and the decorative arts, to photography, transport, music and dance.
This multifaceted movement dominated the globe, bursting onto the world stage at the 1925 Paris Exposition. The Exposition Internationale des Art Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes became known as the leading authority on fashion and its influence was felt internationally for decades.
Inspiration from exotic traditions and ancient cultures like Africa and Egypt provided a wealthy source of imagery. The archaeological discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb fuelled a romantic fascination for ancient Egyptian culture while influences also came from the art of the avant-garde. The exoticism of the famous Ballet Russes and the imagery of the machine age also played a major part.
With such a broad base to work from, the studio chose to focus on the dynamic development in fashion, and chose three of the leading couture designers of the 1920s; Jeanne Lanvin, Paul Poiret and Madeleine Vionnet. These designers were pivotal in creating the first real style for the modern woman.
The brilliantly beaded and embroidered evening dresses of the early 1920s were the starting point for the studio's surface pattern design and directly inspired two designs, Vionnet and Rivoli. Sateen based jacquards were chosen to reflect the glamour of this period, particularly the couture gowns worn by socialites of the time. The use of lustrous fine warps also allowed the studio to capture the detail of their designs, and along with a strong presence of metallic tones make direct reference to the embellished clothing and striking jewellery of the era.
A mattelasse geometric, upholstery weight embroidery and heavily pleated velvet, also pay homage to the bespoke detailing of this era with the collection completed by two contrasting upholstery plains, one slick and sophisticated with a calendered finish, the other, earthy and masculine.
The Moderne collection mirrors the eclecticism of the 1920s and aspires not only to sit alongside the beautiful textiles of the past, but also to deliver luxurious designs that keep pace with our modern times.
This multifaceted movement dominated the globe, bursting onto the world stage at the 1925 Paris Exposition. The Exposition Internationale des Art Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes became known as the leading authority on fashion and its influence was felt internationally for decades.
Inspiration from exotic traditions and ancient cultures like Africa and Egypt provided a wealthy source of imagery. The archaeological discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb fuelled a romantic fascination for ancient Egyptian culture while influences also came from the art of the avant-garde. The exoticism of the famous Ballet Russes and the imagery of the machine age also played a major part.
With such a broad base to work from, the studio chose to focus on the dynamic development in fashion, and chose three of the leading couture designers of the 1920s; Jeanne Lanvin, Paul Poiret and Madeleine Vionnet. These designers were pivotal in creating the first real style for the modern woman.
The brilliantly beaded and embroidered evening dresses of the early 1920s were the starting point for the studio's surface pattern design and directly inspired two designs, Vionnet and Rivoli. Sateen based jacquards were chosen to reflect the glamour of this period, particularly the couture gowns worn by socialites of the time. The use of lustrous fine warps also allowed the studio to capture the detail of their designs, and along with a strong presence of metallic tones make direct reference to the embellished clothing and striking jewellery of the era.
A mattelasse geometric, upholstery weight embroidery and heavily pleated velvet, also pay homage to the bespoke detailing of this era with the collection completed by two contrasting upholstery plains, one slick and sophisticated with a calendered finish, the other, earthy and masculine.
The Moderne collection mirrors the eclecticism of the 1920s and aspires not only to sit alongside the beautiful textiles of the past, but also to deliver luxurious designs that keep pace with our modern times.
