I finally made it down to the
SHOWstudio exhibition at Somerset House (it ends on the 20 December). Fashion exhibitions are generally a bit weird, because a gallery isn't necessarily the best place to experience fashion - it's not a static medium and means less once removed from humans, but... SHOWstudio are one of the most interesting conceptual forces in fashion, and the exhibition raised some interesting bits and pieces. One of the key things about SHOWstudio is that they demystify the creative process by making it visible.
I loved the 'Banquet' project, a 'lavish fashion performance, based around a twenty-three course banquet cooked by ... Heston Blumenthal'. While it was being shot, viewers could see live footage each plate setting from directly above and hear audio from hidden mics - and then try and guess who was round for dinner. For the magazine (W) that commissioned it was a set of reportage shots by Nick Knight (see image below), but I love the game-like aspect created while the shoot was going on. The viewers of the live footage must have been the first to pick up the magazine when it hit the stands in order to find out who was involved (amongst others, Aimee Mullins, Dita von Teese, Liberty Ross and NOKI).

Cheeky course from 'Banquet', Heston Blumenthal/Ed Griffiths, 2004
I'd never come across the Design_Download project before, but it's brilliant - but also for people who are more talented with the sewing machine than me. Through the project you can download patterns by designers such as Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh and Junya Watanabe. Those who have made their own versions can send in photos which are posted on the SHOWstudio website. Very cool.
Casting reminded me a bit of the Liberty window display that they did a couple of years ago. It's a nice way to get people involved in the exhibition, have a reason to check out the SHOWstudio website (all the pictures are posted) and have the chance to appear in a live shoot as part of the exhibition.
Any quoted bits are from exhibition catalogue
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