23 June 2008, London - Norwegian knitwear designer, Siri Johansen, is the winner of this
year’s Todd & Duncan Award for Excellence in Fashion and Textiles
at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. Siri has been studying at
the RCA for two years and her first men’s knitwear collection made its
catwalk debut at the RCA Graduate Shows in June 2008.
The
RCA’s Todd & Duncan Award for Excellence brings together two
prestigious brand names that embrace similar values of innovative
thinking and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved at the
cutting edge of fashion and textiles. The award is open to all design
disciplines across the RCA’s School of Fashion and Textiles. This year
23 students’ collections were short listed and judged by Todd &
Duncan’s Managing Director, and Scottish knitwear designer, Lachlan
Munro, a former student of the RCA.
“What stands out
in Siri’s work is her fantastic grasp of concept, her sophisticated and
discerning eye and her sheer professionalism that one would expect in a
designer beyond her years,” said Lachlan. “She combines a very
thorough approach to research and investigation which translates into
highly innovative design experimentation. She pushes the boundaries
and overcomes the restrictions that are inherent in menswear to present
subtle, yet challenging ideas in a collection that is a celebration of
technical and creative ability.
“As part of the
criteria for success this year we were looking for a student who
demonstrated that they had the passion, resolve and strength to go
straight out into the industry and create their own commercial
collections. We believe Siri’s innovation and mature approach elevate
her into this category.”
Siri took inspiration for
her “Up Close” collection from “re-interpreting the beauty and
simplicity of everyday items, such as the white T-shirt, the five
pocket jean and knitted Arran jumpers.” She plays with the
traditional and the familiar through print, pattern and structure and
is particularly interested in very traditional details; patterns and
specific knitting techniques that have started to slip from view.
Using
shape, pattern and gauge of yarn she achieves this ‘reinterpretation’
through investigating ways of mimicking structures of traditional woven
fabrics by either knitting or printing them. She also mimics
traditional knitting techniques, like cables by knitting them in
different ways; such as digital or with right and purl stitches.
There is also a hint of camouflage in her work through mixing different
garments to create a two-in-one effect.
Todd &
Duncan, Europe’s leading cashmere yarn spinner, manufactures on the
banks of Lochleven, Kinross, Scotland where it employs around 210
people. It is a world leader in directional colour and product
quality. With a heritage stretching back over 140 years, the company
exports cashmere yarn on a global basis to the world’s top fashion and
couture houses as well as top contemporary designers.
Source: www.todd-duncan.com
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