Hairbands: Verdant, Fuchsia, Citrine & Argent

These first two hairbands are based around the favourite colours of their respective owners and though normally I wouldn't use such bright colours, the magentas and greens were certainly appropriate this time around. Below 'Verdant' and 'Fuchsia' are two other hairbands I've recently made, the first 'Citrine' was a birthday present for my flatmate and 'Argent' a commission. 

Verdant

Fuchsia

 Citrine

Argent

Hairbands and images by KLV

Forage

The Bermondsey based exhibition 'Urbandsey' took place on 14th April and as the name suggests it followed an 'urban' theme. As a follow up to my 'Ancestors' collection from the previous exhibition (see here for the images) Open/Closed, I modified a set of men's hats with natural materials that I scavenged from my local area and from this the name 'Forage' was born. The key materials were fox bones, wood pigeon feathers, a dead sparrow, faux fur and foliage. My intention was to give this urban associated headwear a feral edge, these pieces can be seen as both a signifier of the rural reclaiming the urban but also the rural bending to the will of the urban. In either case these hats are neither one or the other and a possible ideology of the balance between human and nature. 

Cervid

Cervid was constructed on a sports cap with final shape, and materials used, being reminiscent of some form of hunting attire. With a cervid being the name of an animal from the deer family, combined with mammal inspired qualities and especially the antlers, it seemed an appropriate name and acts as a representative for fur and mammals in this collection. A transgression from the leather to fur and finally the deer head.

Columba 

This was the first hat I completed out of the four, comprising of wood pigeon feathers and one of two dead sparrows I have. The name derives from the genus of 'typical pigeon' that includes the species that provided the feathers, reconstructed from singular findings to form a bird like entity. Through Cervid we have the covering of the head in fur and leather, with Columba it is feather that takes the centre stage and an to show the more refined look of the pigeon.

Vertebrae 

This bowler hat has been adorned with my most important materials that border on spiritual, a fox spine that I found almost in the state you see it though there were several cleaning processes inbetween of course. The human race has historically used and continues to use bone in body adornment all over the planet, so bringing this tradition into the urban setting is satisfying for me. Also important to this design are the highly symbolic connotations of the fox as an animal with associations as the trickster, fire bringer or creature of the afterlife. As a final point, you will frequently see examples of the fox taking on human qualities or the the creature actually transforming into a man in popular culture. With this my hat is a result of urban meets rural, human meets animal. 

Strobilus 

 The final hat, another sports cap, is based around the true name for pine cone - Strobilus. The Strobilus or Megastrobilus is the female sexual organ of the conifer tree, so in affect I have constructed a mohawk shape of plant genitalia. This ties in with the notion of Mother Nature and the reproduction of plant life to take back the urban should the time of humans pass, with the buds of other trees and bushes beginning to emerge.

 

All Images and Headwear by KLV

Bridal Millinery - Wispern

Wispern is a bridal hat for my good friend Hannah and her wedding taking place this summer, the name of the hat being from the etymology of the word whisper due to the chosen colour scheme of 'Whispering Blue'. This is my first true venture into the hat side of millinery, since my internship, and from notes and memory I followed all the traditional techniques in the sequence I learnt from my tutor Rachel Drewer. Starting with the making of the hat block I then blocked the sinamay, stiffening it then allowing it dry. It was then ironed, taken off the block, followed by wiring and then the attaching of all beading, feathers, veiling, petersham and the headband. I enjoyed the process and thankfully my friend is happy with the results too. There is excess veiling at the moment which will be cut to size properly after the bride and hairdresser decide upon a suitable style. 

 

 

Images and Headwear by KLV

Open/Closed

On Friday 10th February the Art School Disco collective exhibted work within a biscuit factory in Bermondsey, ranging from kites, painting, prints, videography and hats. So enjoy these photos of our artwork as taken by myself and photographer for the night, Sabina Campbell.

Simon Abbott

 Ben Phe

Johnny Ace

 Ed Brown

Katie Allen

The space

Keiron LeVine

Ancestors

My first hat/headdress/mask collection:

Mesozoic

This mask/headband was one of the first ideas of the collection, in fact it sparked off the idea for collections name of 'Ancestors'. Mesozoic is the era that encompasses the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods where Dinosaurs existed.

Pounce

This hat was to make the link between the Dinosaur design and those that are bird or feather based. The name inspiration is obvious, even more so when worn as the lizard is very animated.

Majesty

 Inspired by the diverse range of headdresses from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular those of  the Yaka and Pende people as well as the Bwami society of the Lega. The name signifies the importance of head wear as a representation of power.

Ara

Ara is the genera of parrot that the scarlet macaw belongs to, the same species that these feathers belonged to. Using them in head wear is reminiscent of South American styles where the macaws are naturally found.

Trove 

As the name suggests this is intended to be a a treasure pile of kinds but also a nest. Much like the magpie or the bower bird who collect coloured/shiny objects to adorn their nests/bowers.

Wildnernis

The German and Dutch variation of the world 'wilderness'. This piece is a combination of British and European birds and butterflies, combined with the famous Mohawk hairstyle which has been in existence from around 392 B.C. to 201 B.C. with a mummified corpse discovered in Ireland to back this up.

Pelt

The first of two masks, Pelt highlights the habit of animal print being associated with African mammals (except Tigers). There are also links here to the DR Congolese headdresses and their use of animal skin or parts. 

Era

 A collage of fossilised creatures with the name 'Era' being self explanatory.

Skulk

Apart from sounding extremely similar to skull, the most prominent material used, 'Skulk' is also the term for a group of foxes which the skull happens to belong to. I found, cleaned and treated it myself then wore it to the private view of Open Close pop up exhibition I shall blog about shortly. It's the only hat to feature a mammal part.

Slumber

 The second piece that deals directly with dead animal, 'Slumber' of course means sleep which is what some consider death. The way in which the sparrow is preserved allows it to sleep amongst the feathers of others. The sparrow itself was a present from when I left Southampton.

Images and Headwear by KLV