Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Denham: The Art of the Scissor Issue

It all started with a pair of scissors.

For Denham, but also for garment-making in general. Cutting cleanly through cloth with a knife is a tricky business. The breakthrough invention combining two knives on a pivot changed everything.


For us scissors are a metaphor. The shape of Jason's first scissor inspired the Denham logo. They are an obsession, evidenced by Jason's personal collection as well as that of the label's design director, Liam Maher whose combined collection can be seen within the Denham Garment Library. They are as beautiful as bronze Brancusi sculptures and as dangerous as Mack the Knife. They record a shared history. They come from as far back as the Dark Ages up through the Era of Savile Row making pit-stops in the American Civil War as well as rural tailoring workshops in the Middle and Far East.


They are triggers for the artistic process as demonstrated by art director Ali Kirby's seemingly infinite illustrative variations. Grafted together into hybrids he has joined them with chainsaws, sickles and propellers and deconstructed them to create mechanistic mammoths, preying mantises and bald eagles as a 2nd metaphor that represents the brand mantra: "WORSHIP TRADITION . DESTROY CONVENTION".


They link us to our collaborators. Forming the basis of new work from respected artists and designers whose interest in the twin-blades is sharp enough to convince them to play in our sandbox for a time. They are our House Guest Artists.



They are a universal language. They bridge us across cultural boundaries enlivening our dialogs with scissor-wielding artisans from every corner of the globe.

And each season we celebrate them all over again. This time around with seven individual scissor-art tees for men and three for women as well as scarves and custom-commissioned jewelry. The men's graphic range is founded, as-ever, on our signature basic-tee design making it available with or without artwork.

Friday, 23 March 2012

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Editorial: Art Comes First, Hedi Slimane & Sarah Richardson for I-D Magazine, March 2012


Jacket by Sam Lambert & Shaka Maidoh for Art Comes First

Shirt by Mirja Rosendahl.
Tie John Galliano


Shirt by Pringles of Scotland
Trousers by Sam Lambert & Shaka Maidoh for Art Comes First
Braces by Top Man, Shoes by Amathus


Photography by Hedi Slimane,
Styling by Sarah Richardson

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Editorial: Art Comes First, Sarah Richardson & Glen Luchford for Another Magazine, March 2012

 
Kati wears oversized blazer by Maison Martin Margiela; kilt by Uniqueness; Striped socks by Tabio; Leather shoes by Dr. Martens.
Yuri wears printed short sleeve shirt and rhinestone brogues by Prada; Tie and belt from Rokit; Pleated wool trousers by Sam Lambert & Shaka Maidoh for Art Comes First

Photography by Glen Luchford
Styling by Sarah Richardson