Paper cut outs, fabric flowers… a beautiful relationship

When Su Blackwell‘s fantastically intricate paper cut pieces met Dragana Perisic‘s fabric flower dress made of discs of sheer black silk in the window of the Dragana Perisic store on Cheshire Street near Brick Lane, who knew it would be such a harmonious relationship.  It is exactly what the exhibition is called: ‘The Beginning of Something Beautiful.’

I always find it great when art (in the more traditional and stricter sense of the word anyway) collides with fashion and elevates it to something beyon wearing.  In any case, I’m still lusting after that sheer black dress to wear over something a bit more solid to balance out its delicacy.

Dragana Perisic who I have admired before for her thoughtful crafty details and artisanal sentiment obviously saw similar qualities in Su Blackwell, an RCA textiles graduate whose work has been featured in Vogue.  The words ‘delicate beauty’ can be seen in both Perisic’s garments and in Blackwell’s handmade paper cut-outs popping out of books.  Here she was inspired by spring, trees beginning to show signs of rebirth as they are cut out from fashion magazines, indicating a new season even though the shape of the trees show them to be bare.  The birds flocking around the dress add the final spring touch.

As well as collaborating on the window display, Blackwell also created three exclusive sculptures for the Dragana Perisic boutique. 

It’s always good to see Dragana Perisic’s fabric jewellery again, pieces which I’m considering as presents but actually want for myself.  *Hint hint nudge nudge wink wink* to all those that know me in person! 

Looking at Su Blackwell’s portfolio took me somewhere else altogether… this is one of her solo exhibitions entitled ‘While you were sleeping’. 

She has also created somewhat of at trademark with her papercuts popping out of her books.  Stories that are familar that come to life with paper sculptures…

Alice – A mad tea party // Birds of the Open Forest Dusk // The Secret Garden

15 comments

  7. hiya, just noticed your bit about teenagers along your margin there! love love love them! anyway, thought you’d be interested in a little known brand here in ireland called ‘enfant terrible’…its dresses, hoodies and bling for everyone! if you check out my blog i’ve a piece on it and there should be a pic of one or two of the teenagers (and ham sandwich and the maccabees…) wearing a piece, can’t remember which pics i put up! all the links are there too, the online shop is just up but theres lots more to come too i believe =]

  9. oh, wow. that “while you were sleeping” exhibit is totally surreal. i feel like i’ve seen a painting or animation like that.

  11. trying to make something beautiful is the most impartant struggle in life of any one and i think every one should effort to make their life beautiful and as about this dress, it’s really fantastic and beautiful

  12. trying to make something beautiful is the most impartant struggle in life of any one and i think every one should effort to make their life beautiful and as about this dress, it’s really fantastic and beautiful

  13. This fabric flower dress is looks attractive.Its like something from my dreams!I am see in my dreams that One fairy come to my home and she wear like this dress.and We are sing a song Together.

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