Alternative Fashion Week, Spitalfields Market, London

Hi everyone,  I’ll be running a stall at the Spitalfields Market Alternative Fashion Week on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th

http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/dspevent.php?name=ALTERNATIVE+FASHION+WEEK

Hope to see you there!

Karen

New designs for 2012

Just added a few of my new hat designs to the website. Why not take a look!

New designs

'Style and Subversion'

On a very quick trip to the Victoria and Albert museum last Friday I managed to catch the Postmodernism exhibition 'Style and Subversion' 1970-1990.

Postmodernism is a movement in architecture that rejected modernist avant garde passion for the new. Artists and designers from this period wanted to create modern designs with a hint of classical forms from the past. After the modern age (post) its a step back to the past to create something even more modern.This movement rapidly influenced all areas of popular culture including art, film, music, graphics and fashion.

I wasn't sure if I would like the show, I thought it may be a bit retro and '80's but I found it very interesting particularity the use of collage in some of the work. I loved seeing the Leigh Bowery costumes from the Michael Clark shows and an outfit from Vivienne Westwood's 'Punkacture' collection. There was a real mix of work that created an exciting show and it was enjoyable visiting this era again.

New dress code at Ascot

Some interesting articles in the press today about the introduction of a new dress code at Royal Ascot which states;

"Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of four inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat"

Daily Telegraph: Royal Ascot to tighten dress code

The Guardian: Royal Ascot pins down hat guidelines

If you'd like to discuss your own individual requirements for ladies day and ensure that you don't fall foul of any Royal Enclosure dress codes, please get in touch! When commissioning your hat, I am always happy to discuss colour and fabric preferences to achieve the perfect look for your outfit.

Contact Karen

Millinery Evening Classes for All

For those with a keen interest in  hat design, my evening classes will introduce you to basic millinery techniques.

No experience is required, and you will learn skills such as blocking, wiring and trimming a felt hat or headpiece for the festive season. At the end of the course you will have created an original hat/headpiece to take home to wear.

Location: Cambridge Art Salon, 29 Cromwell Road, Romsey, Cambridge. CB1 3EB

For further details and booking please contact me on 07875247808 or email info@designsbykarenlewis.com

The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman​​

In this exhibition, Grayson Perry celebrates the work made by unknown men and women throughout history from the British Museum, alongside his new work. 
He takes you on a journey through his imagination to explore cultures and themes, exploring Shamansim, magic identity and contemporary culture. All with the help of his favourite Teddy Alan Measles. 


It is apparent from the show that he has an interest in Japanese and African Culture. Temples and shrines feature in this exhibition, incorporating his beloved Teddy. 
His vases, for which he is most famous, are beautifully decorated. However, they lull you into a false sense of security as when you look closer they are not what they seem.

You have to look closely to see the sometimes quite dark and dangerous messages. I have always found them fascinating; seeing beautiful objects but having your senses pushed in another direction is really powerful. 


Everyone who knows Grayson Perry is aware that he is a transvestite who goes under the name of Claire. He touches on this at his show, always in a humorous way. As he says "one fact that every transvestite has to come to terms with is that a person dressed up is funny. This can be difficult and I feel this has profoundly shaped my outlook on life. I regard humour as an important necessary aspect of art".  
His sense of humour runs right through this show and as he says "The craftsman's anonymity I find especially resonant in an age of the celebrity artist".  
A memorable, thought provoking show. 
http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/grayson_perry.aspx

Media watch

Interesting article in the New York Times entitled 'Hat Makers With Attitude'. Click on the link below

New York Times