Fashion Olympians
Lane Crawford enlists designers to take on the Beijing 2008 games
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
(NEW YORK)
Thanks to Lane Crawford, designers are channelling their inner athletes this summer. For The Collective: Synergy in Fashion, the Hong Kong-based retailer invited 12 of the world's leading minds to create a one-of-a-kind garment showcasing their take on an Olympic event. Naturally, the initiative celebrates the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Participating designers include 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alberta Ferretti, Alexander McQueen, Burberry Prorsum, Costume National, Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, Maison Martin Margiela, Neil Barrett, Rick Owens, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent. All were given carte blanche to let their imaginations (and designs) run wild.
The looks will be displayed at numerous events throughout the Olympic season in Beijing this summer. After an unveiling at "Fashion In Motion," a collaboration of today's visionary forces in fashion, art, photography, videography and design at the Today Art Museum in Beijing, the collection will be displayed at Lane Crawford Beijing during July and August. Later, they will be auctioned, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting UNICEF's Driving Dreams project.
The designers concocted a bevy of unique takes on their respective sports. At YSL, Stefano Pilati's fantastic running look features a soft vanilla silk jersey gown with printed winged sleeves and hand-painted edges paired with a beaded Olympic emblem chain belt. "In this, you find a fantasy inspired by the experience of a true athlete, her heroic journey through space and time," said Pilati, who was inspired by Icarus. "Almost in defiance of nature, almost in flight."
Ferretti's gymnastics look is a delicate dove grey chiffon dress with elaborate embroideries and subtle voile. For his fencing look, McQueen created a piece that is fully embroidered in India using silk and cotton threads and mirrors. At Burberry, Christopher Bailey translated his sailing look with a dark nickel mink-lined waterproof parka jacket with hood and signature trench coat.
At Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci created an archery look via a black leather coat with golden arrow detail, a multi-colored laced-up leather bustier, black leather and jersey Bermuda shorts. "The look is inspired by Diana the Goddess of the Hunt," said Tisci. "She was praised for her strength, athletic grace, distinct beauty and hunting skills." Also challenging fashion norms is Margiela, whose badminton-inspired outfit is an abstract series of shuttlecocks, assembled to create a backless top. Also choosing equestrian, McCartney designed an oversized shirt and classic breeches. "I wanted to do equestrian because there is always this stereotype of what one wears when one is horse riding," said the designer. "I thought it was a nice area to have a bit of fun and try to change that perception slightly, but still keep the history of horse riding in that. And obviously, I have grown up on horses my whole life."
For a whimsical take on a table tennis look, Lim created a two-piece dress in the form of a knitted, tiered ensemble. The shade of pink chosen is inspired by peonies, a popular flower of Asia, with red trimming to coincide with the cultural color of China. "My inspiration was simply to recognize and celebrate the often forgotten elegance of the sport of Ping-Pong," said Lim. "I wanted to create a concept of dress that will ask: how much more inspiring the sport of Ping-Pong can be with such dressing options."
JIM SHI
