MMU artist launches high fashion clothing label
7 November 2014
Dresses feature images from around the world
THE worlds of art and fashion met last night with the launch of artist Andrea Zapp’s clothing line, AZ, at Manchester Art Gallery.
Andrea, a lecturer at Manchester School of Art, is a well-respected digital artist, but her new high fashion line brings her virtual images to life.
The first collection, called “Captured Around the World”, will be exhibited at the gallery until March and features photo-realistic prints of images caught by Andrea using her iPhone while travelling.
The locations featured in each image, from Vienna to Vancouver, have had their original coordinates captured via GPS which are displayed on a Google map.
“Narratives on silk”
After years in front of a screen, Andrea says she was driven to work more “physically and sensually”. The conceptual, contemporary garments, which Andrea refers to as “narratives on silk”, both tell a story and evoke collective memories.
She said: “Our range is certainly a bit of a hybrid as it sits between art and fashion design trying to create a very individual profile, almost collectables, that span the seasons. There is also an element of technology behind it.
“Even though some of the current dresses can come across as quite picturesque in their final design, I hope it is still apparent that I am aiming to extract more structural elements from the realities, objects and urban landscapes that surround us. I am exploring photography for fabric design which I then apply and map onto a pattern to accentuate shapes, colours, themes. The fabric in that sense is still used as a screen or canvas.
“This then goes together with what I consider relevant as my individual profile in fashion – more effortless and minimalist garments but that stand out from the crowd through their conceptual language and high quality, but are comfortable to wear and to style individually.”
Enterprise expertise
The range was part funded by Manchester Metropolitan University with additional practical support from the University’s Centre for Enterprise.
The Centre created a structured business plan, produced trade forecasts, obtained the AZ trademark and advised on company structure.
Ian Gibbs, of the Centre for Enterprise, said: “Working with Andrea has offered valuable insight into what we can achieve by combining our expertise with the knowledge of our outstanding staff.”
For more information about the exhibition, visit the Manchester Art Gallery website.
