Designer of the week is Hussein Chalayan. Born in Nicosia, Chalayan graduated from the Turk Maarif Koleji school in his hometown. Around this time, there was struggles between Greek and Turkish authorities. After attending Highgate School, Chalayan studied for a National Diploma in fashion and clothing at Warwickshire School of Arts to finally studying Fashion Design at central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. One of his final tasks was to create a graduate collection. Chalayan created a collection that he buried in his backyard to digging it back up before the show. This had such a powerful meaning in reference to life, death and urban decay.
This caught the attention of Browns boutique in London who borrowed the collection to feature in their window display. Chalayan's established his brand in 1994 called Cartesia Ltd. Chalayan's fashion shows are characterized by minimal sets and a mood of suspense. The shows would incorporate elements of contemporary interiors, urban architecture and geometric structures. Each piece that he creates tells a story across the body like an art piece on a blank canvas. Not only tell the story but his use of architectural proportions were used to amplify their interplay with their surroundings. A cultural territory at times. His inspirations have caught the eye of many so wining awards and working along side Bjork has been an added bonus to Chalayans journey. Over the years, Chalayan has made sure that each piece has a meaning which is what I admire the most. He's true to himself while staying relevant.
Since Chalayan designs clothes for many occasions and private properties, anyone can carry these items that define their identities and cultures with them during their planned and or unwanted journey's. Despite all the attention and recognition for his work, Chalayan still struggled with sponsorships and funding that forced him into voluntary liquidation. The collaborations he did only lasted till 2001 when he decided to not renew the contract. This was the year he staged his comeback and turned everything around. British Designer of the Year in 1999 and 2000, Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2006, International recognition followed by Design Star Honoree by The Fashion Group International at their annual Night of Stars Gala in 2007. Chalayan journey is worth being a part of. By 2019, Chalayan became a professor at the University of Applied Sciences Berlin at fashion department with specialization on sustainability.
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