twenty-seven names on the wall

twenty-seven names installation of Guy Coombes photography for their summer collection ‘twelve’ at Shoroom 22 this week had pre-teen looking models (though they are apparently all over 16) photographed staring directly at the camera evokes a sense of uncomfortableness, like you have interrupted their dream world…

twenty-seven names Summer 2010/2011 collection, ‘twelve’
An exhibition/ installation with photography by Guy Coombes.
Held at Showroom 22, Auckland
Monday 12 April.

Twenty-seven names launched their latest season collection ‘twelve’ in intimate and abstract fashion via an art installation hosted at Showroom 22’s High Street space.

The exhibit consisted of Guy Coombes-photographed portraits of 12 young models displaying the collection, and ethereal structure is what stared back. Think high-buttoned crisp shirts with pastel undertones or moody lilacs combined with chunky knits and silk.

A relatively youthful designer brand, twenty-seven names was started in 2006 by Rachel Easting and Anjali Stewart. It is no surprise that their website states they are from both fashion and art degree backgrounds, something that (clearly) comes through from such an event that incorporates a photography exhibition, a short film and a lookbook for a season launch.

I like it when art has an influence on fashion (or visa versa.) A natural outlet for creativity, fashion doesn’t always get the artistic recognition that it often deserves, particularly when it comes to day-to-day wear. By presenting their collection via artwork, you look beyond the clothes and get a better understanding of the mood twenty-seven names were going for.

Pre-teen looking models (though they are apparently all over 16) photographed against neutral tones, solemnly staring directly at the camera evokes a sense of uncomfortableness, like you have interrupted their dream world (think the make believe world from Heavenly Creatures) and they are not particularly happy about it. To me the clothes then represented a middle ground between playgirl innocence and structured reality.

I am curious to see what their collection would look like on someone of more adult proportions. Their ‘Butter Not Bombs’ Winter 2010 Collection is compiled of wearable yet creative pieces that would suit many figures and is well worth taking a look at.

Below: Victoria Powley & Matthew Banfield