"8
secrets uncovered"
In a season of "safe" collections, sameness, and global brand-boredom, the 16th edition of Area Paris will present
a very special selection of the industry's newest and best-kept secrets
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1. Rich Saguaro "Materico": New works in textiles and treatments
Treviso's undisputed master of textile finishing will introduce a new array of world premiere
fabrics in cashmere and metal in his new collection for women
Few outside the Italian
fashion manufacturing system know
about Rich Saguaro. But ask any major design house or manufacturer with
a world-famous name, and they will certainly know the man behind
this almost secret new label. For 30 years, he has been a 'stilista per gli stilisti" (a
designer for the designers), developing and producing many of the
most memorable fabric treatments and finishes in the industry for the
most famous and respected names in designer fashion and denim. So
unique and advanced is his work in the field, that it has earned him
over a dozen worldwide registered patents.
His newest collection which will be presented in Paris at Area is entirely made in Italy and has been in development for over two years. The collection incorporates intriguing and surprising new interpretations of cashmere, metallic printing, hand dyeing with very soft new applications of metal and copper yarn that yield an amazingly soft feel and touch. "In order to be the “master” of my ideas and to proceed without compromises I had to create a full production line, from the starting of the loom, along with the making, printing and colouring, all the way to the washing procedure. This is the only way one can realise new and exclusive solutions. In this project, I tried to re-interpret cashmere; I love the idea of using more than 60 kilometers of thread to obtain 1 kilogram of cashmere. And with 100-150 grams, create one garment. Also the practical aspect is fundamental: my cashmere can be washed in a washing machine!"
The new materials are all carrying registered patents worldwide and will be available exclusively in a new collection of women's pieces that embody a very new and very creative approach to luxury.
Available exclusively in Paris at Area 16. By appointment. contact: make.srl@libero.it
His newest collection which will be presented in Paris at Area is entirely made in Italy and has been in development for over two years. The collection incorporates intriguing and surprising new interpretations of cashmere, metallic printing, hand dyeing with very soft new applications of metal and copper yarn that yield an amazingly soft feel and touch. "In order to be the “master” of my ideas and to proceed without compromises I had to create a full production line, from the starting of the loom, along with the making, printing and colouring, all the way to the washing procedure. This is the only way one can realise new and exclusive solutions. In this project, I tried to re-interpret cashmere; I love the idea of using more than 60 kilometers of thread to obtain 1 kilogram of cashmere. And with 100-150 grams, create one garment. Also the practical aspect is fundamental: my cashmere can be washed in a washing machine!"
The new materials are all carrying registered patents worldwide and will be available exclusively in a new collection of women's pieces that embody a very new and very creative approach to luxury.
Available exclusively in Paris at Area 16. By appointment. contact: make.srl@libero.it
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2. Rose e Sassi: the secret phenomenon from Tuscany, presenting for the first time in Paris
Alessandra Marchi is the quiet artisan designer behind one of Italy's best kept and best-selling secrets. In a market, which has been bowled over by euro-inflation and cheap foreign imports, her Rose e Sassi collection has been hitting single-store sales records in Florence at the eclectic designer retailer A Piedi Nudi nel Parco that are truly phenomenal... a growing consumer following that is buying almost a half million euros worth of her clothes a year at retail in one of the world's most competitive fashion centers (Florence is home to the Pitti Uomo and Pitti filati exhibitions as well world reknowed retailers including Luisa Via Roma, Guya, Gerard and Raspini). Behind the remarkable commercial success is a serious veteran designer with decades of experience who is dedicated to continuous innovation, renewal and the merging of traditional hand craftsmanship and technological advances in her work. With a precise vision of her customer, and firm control over all aspects of her business, she describes the woman she designs for as one that "dresses today in this moment--the real mover and the originator of new forms that please the eye, the touch and the mind. My clothes don't sell because of a superficial image, but because whoever touches them, turns them around, observes them, and puts them on, physically feels the emotions."
Showing for the first time in Paris, exclusively at Area 16. Distribution will be exclusive and extremely limited for all world market territories. By appointment. contact: rosesassi@libero.it
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3. B.O.R.N. by Norbert Fiddelers: new one-of-a-kind pieces by the irreverent and iconoclastic artist from Maastricht
A very cool and very special new collection about "bunnies, horses, bears, balls, tartans, space-and landscapes." Collages on wraps/pareo, restyled vintage pieces, scarves, bags, legwarmers, djellabas and dresses. The handfinished unique pieces will be a very personal mix of painting and embroidery. In the collection autumn/winter 2007/08 the equestrian part and aspect in work and daily life is getting more important for the artist, "the caretaking of the horses and ponies at the homefarm in the Netherlands is a welcome variation towards the intense labor in the studio. And gives a very positive feedback in energy. Studio b.o.r.n likes to welcome you at Area to show this season's result. But be warned, You need to know how to ride a wild horse as well, otherwise for your own safety, please stay away from our stable...Norbert Fiddelers 'stable-groom'/designer "
The artist's unique one-of-a-kind artisanal pieces with a steady following in the luxury market have been distributed to an international range of select stores including Al Ostoura-Kuwait, Hanna Gallery-Tokyo Ginza, IF-Beirut, and Apres Paris-Treviso. His work has also appeared in special gallery and museum exhibitions in Holland, Dubai, Japan. and at the Musee de la Mode et Tissues in Paris.
Distribution strictly limited. World showroom presentation exclusively at Area in Paris. By appointment. contact: b.o.r.n@xs4all.nl
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4. Megyn Florence "Elementary": The American avant-gardist from Brooklyn takes us
back to the classroom with some glorious outbursts of rebellion
Adding new spins to classic shapes, the collection brings back a wholesome nuclear era, when "a young girl's dress was as regimented as her posture", and strict codes of femininity were imposed upon young ladies...resulting of course in glorious outbursts of rebellion. Materials that recall days of primary school give unexpected surprises, from traditional wool felts and yarns to materials such as cork and a new textile that acts as slate and can be used with chalk as a blackboard.
A collaboration with the graffiti artist known as PIXNIT (Latin for "she paints") has created a series of decorative floral motifs or "spores" for incorporation with some of the pieces resulting in an ornate garden of winter florals that express feelings of soft femininity and nostalgia, juxtaposed with the harder edge of graffiti and street art culture. Artist, floraphile, guerilla gardner and exterior designer, PIXNIT creates delicate images that are influenced by floral and ornamental design historically used within the home, for works generally installed outdoors and in a direct dialogue with architecture and landscape. Together, Megyn Florence and PIXNIT evoke memories of rigid antiquity in the prep-school classroom, creating a world where organic meets artifice and industrial becomes bio-morphic.
Covered in Collezioni Donna and Milan's Kult magazines, Megyn Florence worked with Zac Posen prior to starting her own collection, and studied mixed media sculpture and conceptual art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and fashion design at the Massachusetts College of Art Boston. "Elementary" will mark her 4th collection shown in Paris.
World showroom exclusively at Area 16.Paris. By appointment. contact: megyn@megynflorence.com
Press Defile: Thursday 1 March at 20h30
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5. Special Guests: House of Done "Opening the Cocoon"
Acclaimed Paris and Berlin concept artists Zabo and Nathalie Chabiland are the creators of House of Done. Their new collection continues exploration on conceptual jewellery that allow transformations and interactivity. In this time of spreading fear from the other, the new "Opening the Cocoon" collection will explore the transition from the chrysalis to the open world. The designs evoke both destruction and construction, depending on your own perception. Built out of loose, knitted and crocheted chains, fabric and leather, the pieces are all being made by hand in France. Also on view will be their intriguing new "Umbilicus" concept that explores and revolves around the human belly-button and its symbolic place in the life of us all. Covered in magazines such as Elle France and WeAr Berlin, House of Done creates and makes jewelry and accessories with a very unique and modern artistic approach that has an international cult-following. They have created work with Walter Van Beirondonck in Antwerp, the prestigious Printemps Design space at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Veruschka at the 62nd Venice Film Festival, and other art exhibitions in New York, Berlin and Antwerp.
A special showing exclusively at Area 16. By appointment. contact: nathchab@hotmail.com or houseofdoneparis@yahoo.com
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6. Kohshin Satoh: Discretion at the highest levels
Described recently as a "a new master in dark-sided luxury" in Collezioni magazine, the legendary Japanese designer Kohshin Satoh began his career during the beginnings of the Tokyo designer fashion movement in the late 1970's where his fashion shows were held and attended by thousands in football stadiums. During the 80's and 90's he was known for dressing longtime best-friends Miles Davis and Andy Warhol as documented in Miles Davis' 1993 book "The Best to Best: Kohshin & Miles". Today his remarkable work with rock-oriented sensibilities, dark hues, and intricate hand embroideries in superfine cashmere and other precious fabrics is being sold exclusively in top stores in Paris, Milan, London and Moscow to a super-elite clientele under the strictest discretion. His latest work will introduce fur and knits in a challenging and novel way and continue an uninhibited and creative approach to fashion for both men and women. World showroom presentation exclusively at Area 16 in Paris. Distribution very limited. By appointment. contact: kohshin007@ybb.ne.jp
Press Defile: Thursday 1 March at 20h30.
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7. Live and Let Live: the world's most exclusive and deluxe recycled leather bags
Since 1993, Geoffrey B. Small has been a pioneer in recycled fashion design. For many years, he has been creating very personal and very special bags hand cut and remade from vintage leather garments to go with his clothing collections. In 2006, he received a special commission to design and make a limited edition series of special recycled leather bag designs exclusively for Celux Louis Vuitton Japan. At the request of leading retailers, he has introduced "Live and Let Live" his first complete collection of deluxe recycled leather bags. Designed for customers seeking a new concept of ethical luxury and value for the 21st century. The special pieces are entirely made by hand in his workrooms in Italy. No ecological resources or animal life are wasted to create them. Unique, individual, and respectful of life on earth and sustainable nature. Distribution limited to 15 stores in the world. Maximum production 100 pieces worldwide.
World showroom exclusively at Area in Paris. By appointment. contact: geoffreysmall@hotmail.com
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8. Geoffrey B. Small : "Heroes of another gender"
His Napoleonic period-look launched seven seasons ago at Area containing a hidden political message transformed fashion and has since been interpreted by many of fashion's biggest names. Now after a landmark men's show currently being seen by thousands on the Area space at iqons.com he continues his quest to change the direction of fashion once again, embarking on his third medieval-inspired collection based upon leading women of the middle ages, and today. Maximum production 500 pieces for world per season. All hand made in his Cavarzere studio workrooms in Italy near Venice.
World showroom exclusively at Area 16 in Paris. By appointment. To reserve your appointment please contact: geoffreysmall@hotmail.com
Press Defile: Thursday 1 March at 20h30.
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Area
Paris edition 16.
By invitation only. Exclusively in Paris
February 28 - March 3
Espace Saint Martin 4th floor, 199bis rue Saint Martin 75003
Area Defiles: Thursday 1 March 8:30 PM
Kohshin Satoh, Megyn Florence, Geoffrey B. Small
press contact: lionel cisinski/fashion therapy:
fashiontherapy@free.frBy invitation only. Exclusively in Paris
February 28 - March 3
Espace Saint Martin 4th floor, 199bis rue Saint Martin 75003
Area Defiles: Thursday 1 March 8:30 PM
Kohshin Satoh, Megyn Florence, Geoffrey B. Small