Pills, Thrills and and Couture

Tue, 08 Jul 2003 12:54:07 GMT

08 Jul 03

Textile artist Susie Freeman and practising GP Dr Liz Lee, are an unlikely twosome for an artistic collaboration. More unusual is the work they create - clothes that seem fluffy and frivolous but actually draw attention to medical matters.

Susie Freeman and Liz Lee are old school friends and Susie explains how their collaboration developed: 'We chat like all women do. Liz was very interested in family planning, and wanted to raise awareness of contraceptive methods available.' Around the same time, a U.S. gallery which sold Susie's work, commissioned one of her textile garments decorated with pills. Susie hadn't made such a piece but the mistaken request sparked an idea - combine Susie's dramatic fabrics with Liz's medical objectives.

Their idea, which they called Inside Out, won them a Sci-Art Award in 1998 - a grants scheme sponsored by the Wellcome Trust encouraging collaborations between scientists and artists. This set them on the path of 'drawing attention to medical decisions that people make', enabling Susie and Liz 'to express the thought processes and emotions involved when patients make decisions about medical treatment.' ...

Susie Freeman's and Dr Liz Lee's work can be viewed at: Contemporary Applied Arts, 2 Percy Street, London W1P 9FA (enquiries call 020 7436 2344) and from 19 July - 27 August at Fact, Fantasy and Pharmacopoeia, MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH (enquiries: 0121 440 3838). [fashionUK]

Prepare to Wear

Sat, 05 Jul 2003 01:27:08 GMT

04 Jul 03

Paris is abuzz with preparation for Haute Couture Week which kicks off on Monday. As international press, editors and high brow couture clients prepare to enjoy the bi-annual extravaganza of fashion supersights, from the likes of John Galliano at Dior, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Valentino and Julien Macdonald at Givenchy, some fashionistas are simply gearing up for a week of seriously glamorous parties.

First on the agenda is ex-Scherrer designer Ritu Beri, who will get everybody in the mood with a soiree on Sunday night to celebrate her autumn/winter collection. Next up, ex-Yves Saint Laurent muse Loulou de la Falaise is expecting 200 of her very closest friends and press pals to celebrate the jewellery range she designed to accompany the couture line that she launched in February. Wednesday night's highlight will be a glittering bash thrown by the Gucci-owned Boucheron label - expect a full Gucci turnout, including Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford. Finally, Paris' fashion governing body, the Chambre Syndicale, will host the final evening's gala which will see between 700-800 of the world's most fashionable players sipping the best Champagne and nibbling canapés in the gardens of the Sacretariat. [Vogue/UK]

Kirk Smith: Fashion/Style/Travel

Pills, Thrills and and Couture

Prepare to Wear