Thursday, 26 March 2009
The Wrap Dress...Words From The Women Behind It
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
[Ryan Noon]
The New Boy in Town
“Cause his the kitten the cats prefer”
Our obsession with animal prints and tribal motifs has been one that has taken over our wardrobes every summer. From cheetah to Tsonga prints, its one the fashion world is not prepared to let go. Good news, for those who can tell the difference between their Ndebele and Zulu tribal motifs, as we would like you to meet Ryan Noon. For those who can’t, you’re “totally “reading the wrong blog.
Hailing from the city of Boston, Ryan moved to London in 2002 to study Fashion Print at Central St Martin’s. While studying, he interned for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Filippa K and Henrik Vibskov.Learning the ropes needed to run and design for a label. That label being his own.
Living in London, Ryan found himself bombarded with many cultures, influences and nationalities. But one which can’t be ignored in this collection is his love of South African culture and prints. “I was inspired by my love life, which was to a strapping South African. I know it’s not the most original way, but I’m very influenced by things in my personal life”. But original is a word that has to be used when, describing this designer, the way in which he can assemble prints from Africa with heavy fabrics, seen in polar regions such as Scandanavia,are proof of Ryan’s “out-there” mentality, which is also evident in the name of the collection “Bi-polar”.“My initial interest in African prints was initially to serve as a contrast to my Scandinavian obsession and obsession with the polar regions”.
If you have ever purchased one of Ryan’s “Ndebele Wigga” t-shirts, you would have seen the “made from 100 percent organic cotton “label hanging about. Doing his bit for the environment is one thing Ryan does through his collection, but bears no shame in saying he will do however much he can. Still you can’t help but feel a sense of pride when wearing a piece from his collection with the assurance that it is made from organic cotton. A move many designers have ventured into, but used as front which isn’t fully -developed. However, don’t be put off by the use of organic cotton, in thinking that the item will be extortionate. As you would be wrong to think like that. The collection is priced in such a way that is inexpensive, with a few at a slightly higher price to emphasise rarity. “I'm often annoyed by the current climate towards the organic push, although I completely agree with organic cotton production and ethical production, I hate it when it’s used as a selling angle”.
Doing it all and exhausting all options is mantra Ryan definitely lives by. Designing trainers, hats ,bags, film productions, fine arts and installation projects, just to name a few. “My major installation should be showcased in December, but I should have lots of thing going on before then”. A one-man show indeed. Next month an installation will be used as a platform to showcase Ryan’s new collection” Prince Africa Zulu Noon of Jarrow upon Tyne".Prefering to present it as art in a gallery rather than a runway show. “The collection will use elements of the present collection but with a mix of animal legs, religious insignia and Klein blue”.