 WET RED: RUSSIAN FOR HOT! By Sara Darling It's not just been the Royal Wedding that has been dominating the news this weekend. Brighton has been host to it's annual musical extravaganza, The Great Escape. Whatever tickles your fancy in the world of music, you can be guaranteed to find it, in one of Brighton's treasure trove of venues. Gigs pop up in all manner of nooks n crannies which make the festival memorable for all involved.  This year saw some amazing talent and and bands come from all round the world to showcase their skills and one of my faves was part of the Russian showcase at the Arches -post-punk disco outfit from Moscow- WET RED, who rocked Brighton with their larger than life stage personas. Just what you needed on a Saturday afternoon- noisy synths and powerful vocals, anyone would think these guys were angry! But actually the group provided visual pleasure as well as the catchy beats, and deserved their fashion-conscious moniker.  Front woman, Eva Vostroknutova is a star in her own right on the Moscow nightclub scene, and the whole band's edgy fashion sense both IRL and in videos has made them pin ups in the Russian fashion scene and media, with Eva already being featured in Russian Vogue, Rolling Stone and Tatler, Mixing haute couture fashion with OTT performance, the band pushes the boundaries of punk-pop. Whether you are a fan for the music or the atmosphere, Wet Red will make sure you leave their gigs gushing about both. With a debut album scheduled to be released later this year, after hugely successful five singles there are big things on the horizon for WET RED. But first there are lots more festivals to enjoy the punchy beats at this summer. Catch more of them here 
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 Review: Jaswant Bhachu This season premium brand Acephala invite you to play with a spectrum of shapes and fabrics. Signalling a fresh view of dressing for work. The inspiration for the collection came from the analysis of working rituals and the belief that clothes can affect the creative process. The collection is built on 10 different work-associated situations and emotional states including: ‘Email in bed’, ‘Conference call on Skype’ and ‘Running errands in town’.  Designer Monika Kędziora and brand manager Bartek Korzeniowski founded the brand 4 years ago in Warsaw, Poland. Acephala nods at women’s rights through conceptual and individualistic designs with premium fabrics and quality finishing.
The SS18 collection boasts of modern tailoring with a fun take on work wear for the summer because a grown-up wardrobe should never be boring! Other themes that run through the collection are the black pieces that have been made with a technical anti crease fabric making these styles extremely versatile especially if travelling.
Acephala  Article: Roy Hilton Young emerging Saudi Arabian fashion designer Noa Couture is blurring the lines between the sexes and redefining the Silhouette role in this modern gender fluid sociality, with his latest prêt-à-porter collection “Windows”. Paying Homage to the works and life of Zaha Hadid was the backbone of this sessions collection. However the real soul and inspiration comes from the life struggles of any artist. The duality of realty and creativity, body and mind, life and death, the awareness of our limited time, and finally our stamp and place we have made in the universe. In this refreshing unisex collection, the attention to fit is impeccable. Having to deal with numerous challenges not only in the form of chromosomes but to try to compliment any shape and height. Noa Couture has raised the bar in this field, using a muted colour rang of white back and navy blue, and off tones, representing the modernist idealism: Line, form, structure as-well as making it classic and wearable all year around. Noa Couture
Article: Christopher George 55s fashion department just cannot keep its feet on the ground at the moment with the international fashion week’s blossoming all over the globe. Our latest destination was Belgrade, as we have been hearing that the city is bursting with fashion from international talent fighting to platform their collections on the Belgrade catwalk. Belgrade Fashion Week has participated in introducing almost all-important Serbian fashion designers and made a great contribution to the development of the independent fashion design scene. This season we were blown away with the creative ideas from these young designers, and especially captivated by print design, pattern cutting and tailoring along with the use of striking colours. Here are our 6 designers of choice from BFW 2018.
Ana Ljubinkovic Andy Warhol’s sentence “Kiss me with your eyes” was used as the inspiration for Ana Ljubinkovic’s collection of the same name. This statement describes the relationship between a work of art and its admirer and which represents freedom, love, happiness, joy or sadness… It is obvious that the silhouette is flawed and ripped on purpose, but at the same time is still feminine and soft. With the visuals of classical art and Northern European style mixed in with a contemporary PUNK edge. The collection was both editorial and wearable.
SIDHU JI by Anupreet Sidhu Founded in 2014 by Anupreet Sidhu with the aim to create simple garments with a twist. Experimental techniques have embraced the laser cutting of materials, such as metal and wood, are extensively used to enhance the appearance of the garments. The designer creates pieces that are practical and interchangeable, making a more diverse and functional collections available to a wider audience. With striking print designe in a art-house style, 55 found the collection exciting and daring.
FAKTORY by Bosko Faktory by Boško has launched its new collection for AW18/19 which is inspired by the style of the 80s. By focusing on individuality, the younger market can acquire a sporty but sophisticated look. BOSKO has emphasizes comfort and quality without forgetting to make it visually attractive. The idea is to create an everyday look that is always different and with a twist. All the fabrics used in the collection were sourced from Serbia. One of 55s favourite designers of the season!
RAEGUN by Kamran Patel Kamran Patel is showing at Belgrade Fashion Week for the second consecutive season. While building a reputation as a talented and innovative designer who continuously pushes the boundaries of design, he also explores the traditional crafts of India that are modernised with today's technological advances in fashion. This season he brought bold colours along with the 70s hippie style and an ethnic stroke of enchantment.
Milica Ceneric The inspiration for this mini collection came from the futuristic dream scape and visuals in film making and costume design. The film Matrix inspired the sharpness of the cuts, along with a nod to hippie culture contributing to the 70s’ silhouettes in a futuristic look. Attention to the detail and cuts really made this collection power dressing! We loved it and cant wait to see more from this talented new kid on the fashion block.
Teodora Pasalic
Inspired by the powerful energy of engines, the collection resembles visually and physically the edgy look and feel of being ready for a race. The complex concept of designing with zips and patents placed under different angles gives a structured, geometric aspect with elements of the futuristic look. The use of leather and special materials such as latex and neoprene creates a stronger visual that is directly associated with motor bikers. The combination of colours (white, black and grey with red) is an important part of the collection because it challenges the traditional idea of the everyday aesthetic. An incredible men and women's collection with direction and continuity throughout. Being able to dress comfortably and excessively without too much drama. This is a city collection to be seen in the urban edges to the sophistication of the city highlife.  Giacomo Brunelli Article: Christopher George Giacomo Brunelli's New York series belongs to a long and rich photographic tradition of celebrated photographers (William Klein, Paul Strand, Berenice Abbott) who brought a new visual intensity and originality to photographing the city. New York is the result of Brunelli's constant walking, often for ten hours a day, chancing upon particular things that sparked his interest be that the shape of a hat, a piece of clothing or demeanour of a person. Adopting the position of voyeur or spy, he follows his prey until he alights on the right time to create the image. Brunelli's aesthetic is personal, inspired by a film-noir sense of disquietude. By pushing the lens to the closest point of focus, almost touching the subject, he suggests a very close intimacy with these strangers, whilst at the same time respecting their anonymity.
Brunelli shoots and processes in a classical style of photography that has become rare in recent times, photographing with a 1962 Miranda and printing in his darkroom. Such texture has been crated with Brunelli's distant voyeuristic and graphic black and white images - Bringing back to life a New York photographic art and style. Giacomo Brunelli
 AARON UNKNOWN Article: Sara Darling Summer is on its way (promise) and global fashion brand Superdry spent the winter scouring the land for the hottest new acts who are shaking up the music scene, in preparation for SuperdrySounds. Because they are kind like that! Launching on May 1st, SuperdrySounds is set to showcase a selection of uber cool newbies who have caught the eye (and ear) of ‘those in the know’ at Superdry HQ and catapult them into global recognition. Mixing fashion and music is a match made in heaven, and it must have been a tricky gig narrowing down the cream of the crop. But with a summer of intimate gigs, store appearances and festivals on the agenda, there’s no doubt these good looking chaps and chapettes will look even better with the backing of Superdry! The lucky shortlist includes: Aaron Unknown (UK grime star backed by Stormzy), Au/Ra (US Indie singer who is Vevo’s one-to-watch), Santino Le Saint (singer songwriter from London), Ami Carmine (UK-based DJ), Lexie Liu (US singer, rapper and performer) Timmy Xu (Chinese singer and actor) and Sam Blacky the international DJ- something for every musical taste! Keep your eyes peeled for SuperdrySound where you can see some of the talent up close and personal; So far, some of the acts have been confirmed for Field Day, Splendour in the Grass Fest in Australia, Festival de les Arts in Spain and Melt! in Germany. What are you waiting for? Get to know the band, and be prepared to rock out. Check out the SuperdrySounds product pages where you can buy the clothing that the artists are wearing. Men’s SuperDry Women’s SuperDry
 Review: Jaswant Bhachu Our 55 Editor-in-Chief had the pleasure of previewing the incredible PHYA over a spot of breakfast at The Ivy London last week. It didn’t take long for the buzz of this exciting brand to get back to the rest of the team and make us want to find out more… PHYA is a Thai brand focused on creating atelier, high-class leather bags and goods. Founded by Jirayong Anuman-Rajadhon in 2016, there is a perfect combination of craftsmanship from Thailand and Italy along with premium materials from both countries. I true mix of East and West luxury design. The striking designs are based around the hexagonal shaped logo, which depicts a beehive dwelling of the queen bee, who only deserves the best.
It is clear that these bags have been designed with great subtlety and restraint, having enough personal detail whilst still keeping in line with the luxury feel of the brand. A 55 favourite was the striking NAPAT collection. This is a limited collection in remembrance of the late King Rama IX of Thailand. The mix of engraved brass with textured fabric and embroidery makes these pieces really prominent to the eye. PHYA Luggage
 Review: Christopher George Before becoming the critically acclaimed filmmaker responsible for such iconic films as Dr. Strangelove and The Shining, Stanley Kubrick spent five years as a photographer for Look magazine. The Bronx native joined the staff in 1945, when he was only 17 years old, and shot humanist slice-of-life features that celebrate and expose New York City and its inhabitants. Through a Different Lens reveals the keen and evocative vision of a burgeoning creative genius in a range of feature stories and images, from everyday folk at the laundromat to a day in the life of a debutant, from a trip to the circus to Columbia University. Featuring around 300 images, many previously unseen, as well as rare Look magazine tear sheets, this release coincides with a major show at the Museum of the City of New York and includes an introduction by noted photography critic Luc Sante. These still photographs attest to Kubrick’s innate talent for compelling storytelling, and serve as clear indicators of how this genius would soon transition to making some of the greatest movies of all time. Stanley Kubrick Photographs. Through a Different Lens   Splash: Acrylic on board Review: Christopher George Dennis and Gnasher, Minnie the Minx and Billy Whizz might not be obvious artistic muses but, that is all set to change in a collaboration between classic children’s comic Beano, and artist and legendary bassist, Horace Panter. In its 80th year, Pop-Artist Panter, bassist of 2-tone super band The Specials, has sent the notorious gang of iconic British comic book characters into the worlds of Warhol, Lichtenstein and Hockney in a new collection of paintings and silkscreen prints. The collection will be sold at a selection of UK galleries after the original art works go on display for a public exhibition at Beano Studios in London on Thursday 19th April 2018. The pieces took the artist six months to create in his Coventry studio, carefully adding the beloved cartoons into the settings of some of his favourite Pop Art pieces. You can spot Minnie the Minx as a Warhol starlet, Lord Snooty as an iconic character in the style of a Roy Lichtenstein painting and Dennis and Gnasher making mischief in Hockney’s LA swimming pool,
The limited edition prints from this series will be sold at the following galleries from May 2018 and others to follow: EBOW, Dublin RED HOUSE ORIGINALS, Harrogate ACCORDING TO MCGEE, York  Review: Jaswant Bhachu The World Wide Web went live on the 6th of August 1991. Since then it has become the single most powerful resource available at hand. Technology offers a constant update of the physical and cultural changes happening. This exhibition is giving a platform to up and coming artists with their own interpretation of the digital world we live in. One of the standout displays in the exhibition is by Bryony Loveridge ‘A Self-Reflection’. It is made up of mirrors, acrylic and oil paint and is inspired by the online application Pinterest . The collaged effect is reminiscent of the sporadic nature of viewing images online. It also references the ever-popular ‘selfie’. Although very vibrant in colour and execution, there are notes of both positive and negative emotions.
Exhibition dates: 16th Feb – 6th May
Location: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery |
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