Hi! Fashion
Exhibition
Hi! Fashion12 August 2017 – 12 November 2017
ANREALAGE | ÚNA BURKE | LAOISE CAREY | SYBIL CONNOLLY | COMME DES GARÇONS | AIDEEN GAYNOR | LAINEY KEOGH | DEREK LAWLOR | RICHARD MALONE | ISSEY MIYAKE | KENTA NISHIMURA | JOHN ROCHA | DANIELLE ROMERIL | MICHAEL STEWART | MAIKO TAKEDA | NORITAKA TATEHANA | WRITTENAFTERWARDS | KANSAI YAMAMOTO | YOHJI YAMAMOTO
An exhibition of fashion from Japan and Ireland, Hi! Fashion presents womenswear garments and accessories, which explore visual correlations and contrasts between the two islands over the last 60 years. The concept of Kanreki, which in traditional Japanese culture symbolizes the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, is used as a backdrop to explore the cycles of fashion in terms of inspiration and process.
During the 1980’s avant-garde Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto sourced Irish cotton and linen from Irish mills, while Connemara featured as a location in his Ys campaign of 1998. Using street casting, his team travelled countries and cities following his philosophy of mixing womens and mens, anonymous and celebrity, asking locals to pose in his clothing and create his images. This exhibition echoes his idea of mixing, presenting Japanese and Irish fashion side by side, looking at how difference can be similar.
Escaping sequential narrative, this experimental exhibition explores visual form, juxtaposing designs in installations, to create a loose stylistic essay. These contrasts, whether in approach and application of techniques, reveal unspoken dialogues that create a new space inspired by the cyclical nature of fashion forms.
Curated by Gemma A. Williams and designed in collaboration with Roji, Hi Fashion! will show at the National Design & Craft Gallery in Kilkenny from 12 August to 12 November 2017 and will then tour to Farmleigh Gallery in Dublin from 1 December to 29 April 2018. The exhibition is presented as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival and is an official event in the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Ireland.
Supported by the Japan Foundation.
Image: Look 16 AW15, Richard Malone - Sarah Doyle Photography
Exhibition hard-cover publication can be viewed here - DesignBySlice
On Tour
Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin 1 December 2017 – 3 May 2018
Education & Outreach
Hi! Fashion: Curators Introduction Sat 12 Aug, 3pm
Join exhibition curator Gemma Williams for an introduction to Hi! Fashion, with a discussion on the ideas, pieces presented and the designers participating. Followed by the offical exhibition launch at 4pm.
Community Installation: I (she) was here Fri 11 August, 10.30am-5pm | Sat 12 + Sun 13 August, 12pm - 5pm
I (she) was here is a community craft installation in Castle Yard for Kilkenny Art Festival 2017, begining with a day of lace workshops on Fri 11 August in the Yurt in the Yard and continuing with wider community involvement to produce the installation on Sat 12 & Sun 13 August.
Learn Limerick Lace stitches and embellishment techniques with designer maker Ruth Duignan to stitch, sew and embellish silhouette forms with texture and patterns. These textile forms reflect the interetsing shapes of the designs from the Hi! Fashion exhibition, while the 2-dimentional silhouettes of consider the often anonymous role woman play in the fashion and craft industry.
Sessions start on the hour, drop-in to take part.
Adult Craft Workshop: Leather Working with Úna Burke Mon 14 Aug, 6pm - 9pm
Create your own bespoke leather accessory in this hands-on workshop with multi-award-winning leather designer Úna Burke for a hands on workshop. Booking through kilkennyarts.ie | €35
Children Craft Workshops Tues 15 Aug - Thurs 17 Aug, 2pm & 3pm
Fashion Eye-Con with Carrie Lynam: Inspired by Maiko Takeda create a fantastic sculptural object to be worn on your head.
Japanese Woodblock with Debra Bowden: Draw and carve your own woodblock design to create unique prints.
Kirigami Creations with Paul Bokslag: Use pattern to create individual papercut sculptures.
kilkennyartsfestival.com | Booking by phone 056 775 2175 weekdays: 10am - 5pm | €5 | One workshop per child
Teen Craft Workshops Tues 15 Aug - Thurs 17 Aug, 4pm
Scultpural Headwear with Carrie Lynam: Cross the boundaries of fashion an art to create a sculptural head piece.
Japanese Woodblock with Debra Bowden: Using pattern and shape from the exhibition create your own woodblock design.
Kirigami Creations with Paul Bokslag: Create a paper artwork using the traditional Japanese kirgami technique.
kilkennyartsfestival.com | Booking by phone 056 775 2175, weekdays: 10am - 5pm | €5
Culture Night 2017 Fri 22 Sept, 5pm - 9pm
View full list of free events HERE
Primary School Textile Workshops Mon 18 + Tues 19 Sept, 10am + 11.45am
Explore the exhibit and create dramatic sculptural headpieces with Carrie Lynam. BOOK
Savour Kilkenny: Oishii! Tastes of Japan 28 Sept, 6pm
Experience the tastes of Japan, with sushi expertly prepared by acclaimed Japanese Chef Takashi Miyazaki, Programme Launch for Savour Kilkenny. *Please note event date was changed*
Junk Kouture TY Workshops Every Thurs in Oct, 1.30pm
Exploring and developing creative design ideas for Junk Kouture with fashion designer Joan Brennan BOOK by emailing events@ndcg.ie
Masterclass: Experimental Textile Techniques 13 Oct, 12pm - 5.30pm
Innovate with textile techniques inspired by knit, weave and Japanese lacework with fashion designer Derek Lawlor BOOK by email events@ndcg.ie
Samurai Armour: Collections to Contemporary Craft 13 Oct, 6pm
Join Audrey Whitty to hear about the Japanese armour in National Museum of Ireland’s collections while Derek Lawlor speaks about his contemporary evolution of armour forms
Family Design Day: Origami Kusudama 14 Oct, 10.30am + 12pm
Explore folds and structure to create flower forms with Marika Miklosi-Manning BOOK
Meet the Designer: Noritaka Tatehana 5 Nov, 4pm
Noritaka Tatehana talks innovative design process incorporating traditional craft skills with a demonstration of Japanese Yūzen-zome dyeing technique. Tatehana’s Heel-less Shoes are both contemporary and reflective of Japanese tradition, enabling them to move back and forth across the borders both of innovation and tradition, of local culture and global sentiment.
More infoMake:Shift Ireland, Innovation and Making Conference 6 Nov, Dublin
International speakers discuss cutting-edge approaches to making. BOOK through eventbrite.ie
Masterclass: Crafting Fashion with Noritaka Tatehana 7 Nov, Dublin, 10-1pm
Integrating contemporary design with traditional craft skills in fashion for designers and students.
School Guided Visits Wed - Fri 6 Sept - 10 Nov
School Guided Visits tailored to suit your class group from primary through to third level. Enthusiastic education facilitators will introduce your group to the Hi! Fashion exhibition. BOOK by email events@ndcg.ie