Conceived as part of the SHOWstudio Shop exhibition 'Practice to Deceive: Smoke & Mirrors in Fashion, Fine Art and Film', over June and July 2011 a selection of fashion designers were invited to re-interpret an all-time fashion classic: the evening tuxedo, or as the French would say, 'Le Smoking'.
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Les Smokings - Giles Deacon
In the second residency of our Les Smokings series, British couture star Giles Deacon and team plaster our studio in silver and craft a fringed metallic leather Le Smoking in homage to rodeo tailor Nudie Cohn.
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Process Film
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Process Film
Live Stream Q&A
19 Q&A Posts
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Q. did i miss the interview?
Giles has left the building but his smoking jacket is available to view (and indeed, to buy eventually from the SHOWstudio Shop) for a little while longer.
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Q. Seems like you put a huge confidence in your assistants. How long is it since you work together?
Alcy who works for Giles full-time:
I've worked for him for three and a half years now
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Q. Is it Giles actually doing this live stream?
He had to pop out for a short time but will back a little later!
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Q. What do you prefer to start working on a piece? From paper, pen and pattern? Or dress form (or human body) with fabric pins and draping? And why?
All of them!! Some things we work on from the stand other times we draw or take photographs and use them to draw with.
I like to keep it as varied as possible!
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Q. Whats with all the silver foil? Is it your version of Andy Warhols factory?
It certainly has its similarities!
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Q. Do you have a range rover?
No I don't!
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Q. who cuts alcy's hair? where's the strobe?
Giles Deacon!
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Q. Is there going to be a Barbarella sequel after today? Jane Fonda would look great in Space Leather.
She would - good idea!
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Q. what did you just spray all over the jacket?
SMOKE MACHINE!!!
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Q. Going back to the court summons invite: was the intention to make people have a minor coronary?! Because I had one!
Only those with guilty consciences!
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Q. What kind of music do you usually work to?
Many and varied - we have music on all the time.
Things like Moon Duo, Soft Truth, Yellow Fever.
For me music is essential. I can't work in silence. It gets an atmosphere going!
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Q. Who is in the studio with you? Seems like a BLAST! I want to come play.
John Quinn - lots of hand-sewing
Jess - Designs and shop manager during showtime, in time model
Alcy - Designer - multi-talented!
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Q. What is Style the Nation like?
Really really good fun - Nick Grimshaw is fantastic. i never thought telly could be so much fun!
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Q. Has working at Ungaro been a huge change for you?
It means I spend a lot of time on the EuroStar!! It's been amazing and it's great being in Paris so much.
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Q. You seem to design for women with real figures - ample hips, full busts fill out your designs. Is that a conscious decisions?
I design for all women - all shapes and sizes. Every woman.
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Q. For your last collection you sent out an invite that looked like an exact facsimile of an official summons to appear in court, right? How come?
The show was at the royal courts of justice so it was apt - so people called up saying they hadn't received an invite as we sent them in the original court style envelopes and most people had thrown them in the bin!
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Q. My GOD! What are you guys actually making and how much will it cost. I've always wanted a mirrored jacket.
A leather smoking jacket. It will be available to buy from SHOWstudio Shop and will be exhibited in our current exhibition - Practice to Deceive: Smoke and Mirrors in Fashion, Fine Art and Film. It is £6,500. For any enquiries, email shop@showstudio.com.
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Q. This totally reminds me of that scene in Superman when Superman and Lois first crawl into bed together. Only thing is, they looked cold in the scene and you guys look like your boiling. Are you? And is Superman a source of inspiration?
A bit of kryptonite wouldn't go a miss - and hes hot!!
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Q. can I buy Giles as he is so lovely?
I think we can strike up a very reasonable deal!