The Fashion Together exhibition currently showing at Fashion Space Gallery, explores some of fashion’s most renowned partnerships, it delves into the behind-the-scenes world of these intriguing alliances, illuminating what exactly makes the pairings so captivating. Lou Stoppard, the curator behind this group exhibition focuses on the art of collaboration by setting the spotlight on the process and output of seven of the industry’s most accomplished partnerships.

Mintsquare_It-Takes-Two-to-Make-the-Fashion-World-Go-Round_Nick-Knight-and-Daphne-Guinness_Visions-Couture_Junya-Watanabe-SHOWstudio-2011_digital-filmNick Knight and Daphne Guinness – Visions Couture Junya Watanabe – SHOWstudio 2011

 

This exhibition scrutinizes at how the unique relationship of each pairing facilitates the duo’s success in their respective fields. Featured partnerships reveal that creativity tends to be pushed forward and enhanced most when challenged, but at the same time there is the notion that the duo’s success is based upon unique bonds. Dialogue, discussion, and even confrontation are shown to be central to originality here as Stoppard states: ‘I’m interested in lasting partnerships – the formative, friendships, the unions that exist behind the scenes or the decades-long working relationships that have shaped each participant’s vision and life. These relationships are common across the industry, but their complexity has been under- analysed. How is credit shared? How is work divided? Is jealousy or ownership an issue? Is there a recipe for success?’

Mintsquare_It-Takes-Two-to-Make-the-Fashion-World-Go-Round_Michèle-Lamy-and-Rick-Owens-Alchemy-chair-bronze-and-leather-2012_1-Courtesy-of-OwenscorpMichèle Lamy and Rick Owens – Alchemy chair bronze and leather – 2012  Courtesy of Owenscorp

 

Featured exhibitors include: Rick Owens and Michèle Lamy, Nick Knight and Daphne Guinness, Shaun Leane and Alexander McQueen, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Gareth Pugh and Ruth Hogben, and Thom Browne and Stephen Jones.
From photographers and filmmakers, to designers and milliners, the exhibitors on display come from a broad range of roles within the fashion industry.

Mintsquare_It-Takes-Two-to-Make-the-Fashion-World-Go-Round_Nick-Knight-and-Daphne-Guinness_3D-printed-scans-featuring-Rick-Ownes-2012-Courtesy-of-SHOWstudioNick Knight and Daphne Guinness – 3D printed scans featuring Rick Ownes – 2012 Courtesy of SHOWstudio

 

Mintsquare_It-Takes-Two-to-Make-the-Fashion-World-Go-Round_Viktor-and-Rolf-‘NO’-Coat-Autumn-Winter-2008-photography-Team-Peter-StigterRound Viktor and Rolf – ‘NO’ Coat Autumn -Winter 2008 – photography Team Peter Stigter

 

 

Never-before-seen ephemera such as sketches, handwritten notes and fashion editorials are displayed alongside garments, films and photographic prints. Showcasing some of the duos’ most acclaimed work, from Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin’s portrait of Clint Eastwood for the New York Times Magazine (2005), to Shaun Leane for Alexander McQueen’s “Star” headpiece from the Salem Collection (Autumn/Winter 2007).

Mintsquare_It-Takes-Two-to-Make-the-Fashion-World-Go-Round_Aluminium-Coiled-Corset-by-Shaun-Leane-for-Alexander-McQueen-The-Overlook-Autumn-Winter-1999-Courtesy-of-Shaun-Leane-archiveAluminium Coiled Corset by Shaun Leane for Alexander McQueen -The Overlook Autumn -Winter  1999 Courtesy of Shaun Leane archive

To say the least, fashion is often seen as the hub of eccentric personalities and unique, exceptional talents, but it’s the collaborators, rather than the individuals, who push the industry in full swing. This singularity is the inspiration behind this exhibition.

 

Kristina Gligorovska