mmm suits you....

Similar theme to the adaptation of one dress, this exhibition Esquire's Singular Suit sees huge fashion, art and design forces come together to produce an amazing collaboration collection. The suit often a mans mundane work wear staple item has had a dramatic makeover by the 18 leading fashion designers and tailors whom in turn chose an admired artist of their choice to create a bespoke, one-off suit. The result is a combination of artistic skills and vision forming a contemporary array of of pieces, from the wearable to the outlandish.

All commissioned for Esquires September issue, Esquire editor Jeremy Langmead says:

“The designers and artists who took part in Esquire’s Singular Suit project have visually re-defined what the suit represents; the imagination and work involved is incredible. It’s extraordinary to see so many creative forces, from two of the world’s most influential mediums, presenting their work under one roof.”

Designs include an Aquascutum and Antony Gormley creation made entirely from metal plates and lead-filled trousers (pictured top) and a “naked” organza suit by Spencer Tunick and Richard James. Louis Vuitton designer Paul Helbers has teamed up with Christian Schoeler to fashion a heavy suit made entirely from a painted canvas, while Henry Holland has worked with Marc Jacobs’ tattooist, Scott Campbell, to create a leather mustard-coloured suit with tattoo-style markings of supermodels’ names on the sleeve. Norton & Sons and Turner Prize-winner Jeremy Deller have drawn inspiration from Winston Churchill by re-creating the prime minister’s “Siren Suit” — a trademark suit that Churchill designed for himself during the war, while a suit by Donatella Versace and light artist/designer James Clar has lightsabers bursting from the seams.

Intresting fact: The suits took three to six months to produce, and were shipped to London from all over the world. Some were held on suspicion by customs for weeks on end, while others had to be dismantled for the journey and then put back together again.

A compact exhibition (free admission!) in the beautiful surroundings of Somerset House, I luckily managed to take some sneaky inside pics. The layout with the mirror reflecting the suits give an interesting perspective but unfortunately in my case I was also met with a hot weathered reflection of myself the whole time also. As you meander through the mannaquins you are allowed to get quite up close and personal with the garments and admire the handywork.

Hugo Boss and Jan De Cock (right)

Dolce &

Gabbana and Ron Arad

(left)

You can see the collection on display at Somerset House (Terrace Rooms, Seamen’s Hall) from 31 July to 31 August so your have to be quick however if you do miss the chance don't be disheartened as from the beginning of September the exhibition will move, going on display in the menswear department of Harrods.

Not only is Somerset House the new home for the British Fashion council for this years London Fashion Week and Weekend there is also Nick Knights SHOWstudio Fashion Revolution running from the 17th September- 20th December which has to be another must- see!