New Book 'Fashion Central Saint Martins' Celebrates the School's Impact on Fashion
Authored by two CSM tutors, Cally Blackman and Hywel Davies, the tome launched at Dover Street Market as part of LFW celebrations.
Authored by two CSM tutors, Cally Blackman and Hywel Davies, the tome launched at Dover Street Market as part of LFW celebrations.
Amidst the chaos of London Fashion Week, the new Thames & Hudson publication Fashion Central Saint Martins launched with a bang at Dover Street Market in a combination book signing and exhibition.
Authored by Central Saint Martins' Fashion History & Theory tutor Cally Blackman and Fashion programme director Hywel Davies, the tome is dedicated to the esteemed fashion school and documents unseen student work from some of British fashion's most important designers, a selection of whom had pieces from their graduate collections on show, including John Galliano, Christopher Kane, and the late Alexander McQueen.
Alongside the exhibition, Dover Street Market launched 10 limited edition book covers, each customised by CSM alumni designers such as Charles Jeffrey, Simone Rocha and Phoebe English. Anna Fox’s Blink photography project that follows the lead-up to the MA Fashion graduate show completed the immersive CSM student experience.
With all proceeds going to the CSM Fashion Fund that assist current students, many of the college’s esteemed faculty were in attendance along with students both past and present. Blackman and Davies were shown support by the likes of Fashion Print’s Natalie Gibson and Fashion Journalism’s Judith Watt, along with alumni designers Matty Bovan and Gareth Wrighton, and fashion’s favourite hooligans Harry Freegard and Gui Rosa.
Given the event's date slap-bang in the middle of London Fashion Week, there were plenty of other fashion happenings going on. i-D editor-in-chief Alastair McKimm signed copies of the latest i-D magazine, ’The Post-Truth Truth' issue and recording artist FKA Twigs signed her i-D posters shot by Willy Vanderperre.
It was also an opportunity to see new London collections up close. CSM alum, milliner Stephen Jones presented his latest collection through an interactive display: guests were invited to try on hats balanced on a pile of stacked chairs, resulting in an ever-changing spectacle of haphazard headpieces. Pringle of Scotland presented an exclusive new capsule with archive Argyle patterns at its core - read more about it here.
The Central Saint Martins celebrations continue on Tuesday 1 October, when journalist and Central Saint Martins graduate TJ Sidhu chairs an event that sees Davies and Blackman discussing how the institution became home to a generation of game-changing fashion designers. Followed by a Q&A and book signing, the event will take place at Foyles Bookshop on 107 Charing Cross Road, Central Saint Martins' former home.