Nick Knight- fashion photographer extraordinaire
the sharpest works available on 1-9 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, LDN
Knight with Kate Moss, his favourite model, 'so easy to work with'
2003 Pirelli Calendar: Knight realises the genius of set designers.The celebrated photographer, Nick Knight, known for his experimental visions and his desire to challenge conventional notions of beauty, has just launched the new SHOWstudio SHOP ten days ago, officially opened yesterday. This part live studio, part gallery, located on Bruton Place in London, has as its aim to sell hand picked iconic props from photo shoots and catwalk shows. It will also invite international designers to create unique pieces live on webcam, to be sold in the shop.
The studio, an old brothel turned art studio for artists Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, is now the home of extraordinary pieces of art which form part of fashion’s history, offering the public the chance to buy pieces of set from fashion shoots. Knight, who has photographed everyone from Kate Moss in the nude to Cheryl Cole for her new album cover, became obsessed with props whilst shooting for the Pirelli calendar in 2003 and was simply outstanded by what set designer Gideon Ponte came up with. He immediately recognised set designers as artists, hence his interest in opening the shop. “I don’t see why these beautiful creations which made such an impact should end up in the dump”, said Knight at a press conference yesterday.
The collection includes a Union Jack customised by John Galliano, oversized cherries, a miniature greenhouse from a Tim Walker shoot, papier mache heads created by Michael Howell for a Dior Show, a huge illuminated dollar sign and a stuffed Bengal Tiger. Designers who have already decided to contribute in the scheme include Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garcons and Gareth Pugh. The objects can act as frivolous decoration or statement-making art. Just as resistant as any other ornament you’d have in your home, and filled with a sense of historical provenance, a story behind them; the idea is fun and avoids shameful waste. All in all, a fashion forward initiative that sheds light on talented set designers, and allows customers the chance to buy something other than the clothes featured in campaigns.
The studio, an old brothel turned art studio for artists Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, is now the home of extraordinary pieces of art which form part of fashion’s history, offering the public the chance to buy pieces of set from fashion shoots. Knight, who has photographed everyone from Kate Moss in the nude to Cheryl Cole for her new album cover, became obsessed with props whilst shooting for the Pirelli calendar in 2003 and was simply outstanded by what set designer Gideon Ponte came up with. He immediately recognised set designers as artists, hence his interest in opening the shop. “I don’t see why these beautiful creations which made such an impact should end up in the dump”, said Knight at a press conference yesterday.
The collection includes a Union Jack customised by John Galliano, oversized cherries, a miniature greenhouse from a Tim Walker shoot, papier mache heads created by Michael Howell for a Dior Show, a huge illuminated dollar sign and a stuffed Bengal Tiger. Designers who have already decided to contribute in the scheme include Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garcons and Gareth Pugh. The objects can act as frivolous decoration or statement-making art. Just as resistant as any other ornament you’d have in your home, and filled with a sense of historical provenance, a story behind them; the idea is fun and avoids shameful waste. All in all, a fashion forward initiative that sheds light on talented set designers, and allows customers the chance to buy something other than the clothes featured in campaigns.
Knight who has won numerous awards for his editorial work for Vogue, W Magazine, and I-D including the Moet Chandom Fashion Tribute in 2006, sees the future of fashion in film. He accurately observes that clothes are made to move with the person they dress, hence it makes most sense to capture them in motion, which is what photography tries to do, and film succeeds most realistically. It is with this in mind that he has launched the Raw Power competition which offers young filmmakers, artists and directors the chance to create a video short by splicing their own unique film material with footage captured during his 'Crane Vs. Tiger' shoot for the Alexander McQueen PUMA S/S 2010 campaign. One winning filmmaker, chosen by Nick Knight and Alexander McQueen, will be commissioned to direct the Alexander McQueen PUMA Spring/Summer 2010 art movie, previewed on major fashion websites and visible in key fashion department stores and boutiques worldwide from January 2010.For more information see http://www.showstudio.com/project/rawpower/.
Below are some of the works available to buy online. Authentic pieces of fashion history for your eyes only..
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Created for April 2003 W magazine editorial and SHOWstudio.com SHOOT feature.
Created for April 2003 W magazine editorial and SHOWstudio.com SHOOT feature.
Designed and photographed by Nick Knight.
Painted wood, 178 25W bayonet lightbulbs, 5 British Standard 1363 domestic AC power plugs. 207 x 151 x 10cm
£ 7,500
£ 7,500
Head with a Cigarette
AnOther Magazine, Spring/Summer 2008
Photograph: Paolo Roversi Shona Heath
Model: Kasia Struss Painted papier mache, cigarette
£ 3,500
£ 3,500
Union Jack
John Galliano
Created by John Galliano for July 2001 portrait photographed by Nick Knight. Cotton. 90 x 178cm
£25,000
John Galliano
Created by John Galliano for July 2001 portrait photographed by Nick Knight. Cotton. 90 x 178cm
£25,000
