BAN XIAO XUE ~ INTERNATIONAL WOOLMARK PRIZE
FASHION's "POETIC" DESIGNER
Shopping online recently, I have begun seeing more and more Chinese designers appearing on the fashion scene. I think for mainstream America, China is not the first place thought of as burgeoning with hot new design talent, but rather mostly known for their booming production industry. Even though China has not "yet" become a fashion design capital, chinese designers have definitely begun setting themselves apart on the international fashion scene and have demonstrated just how unique they are in both artistic expression and garment execution.
Ban Xiao Xue of China has proven himself as a "designer on the rise" since he first emerged as a founder of his own local brand in 2007. The prestigious INTERNATIONAL WOOLMARK PRIZE committee seems to share these sentiments because they have nominated Xiao Xue to represent China during London Fashion Week this month.
Ban Xiao Xue will join other designers from Europe, the US, India and Australia in February 2013 during London Fashion Week in the competition for the grand prize, which has been awarded to fashion giants Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
I call Ban Xiao Xue fashions "Poetic Designer" because if you compare his ad campaign on his website to those of his peers, you can tell that he actually does draw his inspiration from his surroundings. His images give you a sense of artistic expression rather than the overt sexual reliance that most designers use to sell their clothing. He is in a sense fashions "poet", making bold statements with airy subtly. I have to say that what he offers most is the refreshing sense of trailblazing that the creative arts have seem to lost. Gone are the days when artists were capable of having the courage to step outside the "norm" and be bold enough to dream with imagination. Rarely now do I see anything that awakens my senses and dares me to see things in a different way than I believed possible before. Everything that we see now is about proven "numbers" and not about innovation and expression. Could it be that we have reached our peak of artistic expression and thought? Or are any of us brave enough to be different and to be special for what we see and how we "personally" view the world around us in the most positive way possible.
"The International Woolmark Prize (IWP), first launched in 1953 to raise the profile of wool in the fashion industry by celebrating the work of innovative designers, has been re-launched this year after an absence of about two decades. China is among the five countries and regions from which semi-finalists have been chosen for the final round, marking the country's role as a top influence in the fashion world. The prize offer is nothing short of huge: $105,000 (US) and the chance to be stocked in some of the most prestigious department stores around the globe including Harvey Nichols in London, Bergdorf Goodman in the US, 10 Corso Como in Milan, Joyce in China, Eickhoff Königsallee in Germany and David Jones in Sydney.
The judging panel of nine is nothing short of extraordinary – made up of nine of the most influential identities in fashion including the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Donatella Versace and Victoria Beckham.
CEO of Australian Wool Innovation Stuart McCullough says the Woolmark Company’s event has “gained extraordinary momentum over the past 12 months”.
“The final event in February will showcase the future of fashion and we are very proud that Merino wool will hold a firm place in that exciting and prosperous future.”
Here is a first taste of the incredible collections, shot by Hugh Stewart and featuring model Sarah Birkett" ~ Lauren, The Urban Silhouette
BAN XIAO XUE
Comments
Post a Comment