Karine Laudort Kornit Fashion Week was held by digital textiles production company, Kornit Digital Ltd. Earlier this year, Kornit Digital teamed up with Fashion-Enter Ltd for the launch of the Fashtech Innovation centre, which provides sustainable, micro-factory production.
In an industry filled with pollution, unethical practices and overproduction, world-renowned fashion icon Motty Reif made sure that when he was producing the show, to bring together the brainiacs behind the fashion sustainability game. The fashion show was held at Freemasons Hall from the 15th to the 17th of May and it was definitely challenging stereotypes and driving a change within the fashion industry.
With presentations from the likes of fashion geniuses, Julia Clancy and Love Hero, the fashion show was one not to be missed so let’s go through the highlights of each day!
Day 1: Manish Arora
Legendary Indian designer Manish Arora opened up the Kornit Fashion Week with a show filled with eclectic colours, bold patterns and a fresh take on societal beauty standards, with no boundaries in terms of age, colour, size, gender and sexuality. A thoroughly refreshing interpretation of what Arora says ‘isn’t from one inspiration but everything in his head.’
Throughout his show, there were stunning performances from vocalist and composer Bishi, living sculpture Daniel Lismore and performance artists, Charity Kase, Is She Hungry, Pandemonium, Michael Moon and recording artist, Virgin X. The performances throughout the show created the perfect atmosphere for Arora to showcase his collection which was pulled together in just weeks.
Not only did Arora’s show kickstart the Kornit Fashion Week perfectly but he really set the pace for other designers. Arora’s show was challenging the fashion industry’s stereotypical practices- Not only with a refreshing blend of fiery colours, a wide variety of sizes, shapes and genders but also with a liberating sense of reformation for the industry to come within the future.
Day 2: Love Hero, Litkovskaya and Maison Artc
Love Hero
Day 2 kicked off with a fabulous presentation from Maison Artc followed by an installation from Love Hero. The show started with a scene in an artist’s studio where a painter starts throwing colour against a canvas which then turned into a dress and worn by a model.
Then, the show continued with models walking out in clothes with swirls and marbling done by Joshua Scacheri and his 7-year-old daughter. Alike Arora, Scacheri also wanted to show the world that the fashion industry’s stereotypical models are outdated and had an entourage of gorgeous models of all different ages, genders and sizes. With sustainability at the forefront of Scacheri’s work, all the pieces were rendered by Kornit’s waterless print solution, ditching pre-treatments, steaming and washing.
Schacheri’s show was all about embracing creativity and pushing the boundaries that are dominant within society and it was so refreshing to see.
Litkovskaya
Following on from Love Hero’s incredible display, Lilli, also known as Litkovskaya, took to the runway to present an extraordinarily moving show, highlighting the struggles that many are facing in Ukraine. Featuring an all-female Ukrainian cast “as our men are at war”, the models paraded down the catwalk against a backdrop of a rolling newsreel of imagery and words relating to the atrocities of the Ukrainian-Russian war. Lilli also had the models wear yellow armbands, similar to the bands that Ukrainian volunteer forces wear- Symbolising how we should all be helping in one way or another.
All models were wearing draped dresses and skirts with long jumpers or jackets over the top. With many also rocking the military colours of Khakis, greens and navys, it was obvious that Lilli’s heart-wrenching show was meant to trigger the audience and overall, to bring more awareness to the devastation that is still happening in Ukraine.
At the end of the show, Lilli came out at the end in tears holding a sign in the Ukrainian colours stating “HELP MARIUPOL NOW”. She was then embraced by the Ukrainian ambassador’s wife and a group of supporting women; An incredibly solemn show that brought to light the struggles that Ukrainians face in the midst of the war against Russia.
Day 3: Preen, House of Jaffa and Julia Clancy
Finalizing the Kornit Fashion Week, on Day 3, we saw a selection of icons take to the stage to showcase their collections. However, one designer, in particular, stood out to me the most.
Preen
Preen by Thorton Bregazzi’s exhibition started off in bed which was a much more relaxed atmosphere, to say the least. Starting with the world’s oldest supermodel, Daphne Selfe tucked up in the bed surrounded by other models laying on Preen’s bedding installation, the presentation was definitely one to catch your eye.
Throughout Preen’s presentation, Greta Bellamacina walked among the audience reciting a poem, creating such a wonderful atmosphere for the audience to comprise. Serving us breakfast in bed, Preen’s exhibit was definitely more than what met the eye.
House of Jaffa
House of Jaffa was next to present and this exhibit embraces all sizes, genders and races but with the limelight on what it is like being queer in the Middle East.
From intricately detailed tasselled gowns with gorgeous Meditteranean colour to a double denim co-ord with a striking cropped hamsa beaded denim jacket, House of Jaffa was inspired by “the strong perfumes of the souk mixing with sweat and desire under the hot Mediterranean sun.”
House of Jaffa is the brainchild of Golan Frydman (of FYODOR GOLAN) and Eddie Gavrillidis, who got inspired during the lockdown when they left London for Tel Aviv. Finding a new way of life, Frydman and Gavrilldis made their home in the district of Jaffa which was the inspiration behind the brand name.
Challenging the social concepts of masculinity, both appealing and toxic, House of Jaffa created an ethereal display incorporating bold Mexico print and Sabra flower stripy linen into their garments.
I hope to see more of House of Jaffa’s work in the future as not only was it gorgeous to see the pieces inspired by Isreal’s Mediterranean coast but it was great to delve into the world of being queer in the middle east.
Kornit Fashion Week was a blast- Everyone who took part in the show not only created a fabulous atmosphere but also brought to light the importance of many issues we face in society today. From the struggles queer people face in the Middle East to the Ukrainian- Russian war that is still present right now, Kornit Fashion Week was one not to forget.
