Designer Erdem Moralioglu introduces a groundbreaking collection at the British Museum, collaborating with contemporary artist Kaye Donachie, marking a departure from his historical inspirations.
Erdem Moralioglu has unveiled a new collection that showcases his collaboration with contemporary artist Kaye Donachie, marking a significant shift in Moralioglu’s creative process. Traditionally known for his inspirations drawn from historical figures, Moralioglu’s recent collection diverges from this pattern, centering instead on a living artist, Kaye Donachie, who is also a graduate of the Royal College of Art.
During the presentation at the British Museum, Moralioglu expressed his enthusiasm for working with Donachie. “I’ve always wanted to do a collaboration with her, and it was really the first time I’ve ever done a collaboration with an artist, and actually, to be fair, to make a collection about someone who’s alive,” he stated, noting their previous professional relationship where he commissioned Donachie to create a portrait of his late mother.
The collection is alive with elements reflecting Donachie’s artistry, characterized by blurred floral designs and ethereal portraits of women. Moralioglu transformed Donachie’s original line drawings into various elements of the collection, featured prominently on sheer organza dresses, raw-edged silk designs, and cocooning coats. He described Donachie’s work as “a ghost of something,” conveying a certain surreal quality that echoes through the collection.
The designs included three-dimensional flowers crafted from soft leather, merino wool, and jersey, which adorned garments such as a gray knit sweater and skirt featuring black-stitch blooms, alongside a soft pink knit dress embellished with burgundy flowers. Longer gowns exuded a couture aesthetic, richly designed in vivid monochromatic shades of claret and navy blue. Attention-grabbing bright blue sequin coats and mint green dresses brought a sparkle reminiscent of exotic sea creatures under the museum’s lighting, showcasing the fluidity of Donachie’s painterly motifs.
In addition to the clothing, the collection extended into accessories, with Donachie’s floral themes showcased on a new series of handbags. These Bloom bags feature curving brass tulip handles, effectively merging fashion with art in a tactile expression of creativity.
This latest collection stands as a testament to the potential inspiration found in contemporary storytelling and artistic expression, showcasing how current influences can parallel previous historical narratives, all within the vibrant setting of one of the UK’s most notable cultural institutions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
