PARIS SHOWROOMS| Taeseok Kang AW14

A London College of Fashion graduate, Taeseok Kang has pushed the boundaries of handbag design, presenting us with collections which combine luxury leathers with surrealist elements. Utilising human hair in his handbag designs, Kang creates hair tassels and braided hair handles, challenging preconceptions of tradition.

All hand-crafted in vegetarian leather, Kang’s designs explore sexuality and the human body, with past pieces using shape function and detail to reflect aspects of the sexual human body. Inspired by his own sexual curiosity as a child growing up in Korea, Kang gives us a lesson in controversial couture. Upon first glance, Kang’s collections appear to be as you would expect from a luxe fashion brand however on further inspection, erotic undertones seep to the surface as he juxtaposes the subtle with the extreme.

Having previously exhibited at Fashion Scout London, Kang has gone on to show his SS14 collection at Fashion Scout's Paris Showrooms, where he will be returning this season with his latest offering for AW14. Expect sexual narratives in premium leathers as Kang’s innovative and unique vision continues to tackle taboos.

By Charlotte Muscat, (@CharlotteLM9), Contributor

Images, courtesy of Taesok Kang.

PARIS SHOWROOMS| Taeseok Kang SS14

Graduating from the London College of Fashion, accessory designer Taeseok Kang creates couture handbags that feature an unlikely material: human hair. Showcased in sleek black leather, the edgy accessory pieces feature tress-infused details that include braided hair handles and ponytail-like tassels.

His past collection titled Sexual Humorous translated the human body and explored themes of androgyny as well as the “palpable sensations that manifest from the sexual instinct of a human”. 

Almost surrealist, Taeseok Kang introduces us to a new perspective on design that celebrates the provocative and the taboo.

We look forward to seeing more of Taeseok Kang, as one of many talented designers at the Paris Showrooms.

By Georgia Hathaway, @GeorgiaHathaway

Images by Hannah Wilson @xHannahWilsonx and Max Barnett @MaxBarnettPhoto

NEWS| Fashion Scout designers featured in Collezioni magazine

Four Fashion Scout designers have been focused on by Collezioni magazine as part of their accessories edit for A/W13. The Editors from Collezioni came across Fashion Scout designers Taeseok Kang, David Longshaw, Nova Chiu and Kirsty Ward at the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom last season and has consequently selected them for this feature. 

EXHIBITION| Taeseok Kang FEB'13

This season London College of Fashion graduate Taeseok Kang is showcasing the sexually orientated, innovative designs in his AW13 Collection at the Fashion Scout Exhibition space at Freemasons Hall for a second season.

What is your brand aesthetic?

My work explores the narratives of sexual human body parts and the sexual sensations that manifest from human nature. I work with the displacement of human body parts, deconstructing them and illustrating them through my designs, which range from sexually subtle to erotic and extreme.

Tell us about your inspiration for the AW13 collection:

I have reassembled sexual body parts into the designs of my bags and accessories, they are demonstrated through the shapes, functions and details. I have also taken inspiration from the art of cross-dressing, a concept which has influenced the functions of my creations; in particular the backpack which includes a hood in it’s design and the ‘garment bag’– illustrating the multi-functional nature of my designs.

How do you create the items?

They are all handcrafted using a combination of vegetarian leather and plated brass, which is used for fixtures, closures details and the earrings, brooches and clips I have designed.

What are the future plans for the label?

I aim to withhold the same concept whilst working on new shapes, I will be taking a more masculine perspective on my work working on symbols to signify male body parts. I will also be taking inspiration from my childhood memories centering around the relationship I had with my father when I was a boy.

What are your thoughts on working with Fashion Scout?

It has allowed me to network with so many people and make new connections within the fashion industry. It has also allowed me to import my own world to the public eye, providing an amazing opportunity.

Interview by Brooke McCord (@BrookeMcCord)

Images by Hannah Wilson (xHannahWilsonx) and Max Barnett (MaxBarnettPhoto)

PREVIEW| A/W13 Designers

With just days to go until Fashion Scout London's A/W13 showcase, we are pleased to present our designer preview for February '13. Illustrating the range of creative talent from a selection of our international designers, these exclusive shots of the A/W13 collection give an indication of the incredibly high standard of design to expect from our showcase and exhibition. 

Designers featured are in the following order:

YEASHIN

ZIAD GHANEM

HELLEN VAN REES

CARLOTTA ACTIS BARONE

CHRISTOPHER WALLER

 DAVID LONGSHAW

KIRSTY WARD

ANNA OCTOBER

ROHMIR

LIZ BLACK

TAESEOK KANG 

For the full list of designers showing their collections on the catwalk- click here.

EXHIBITION| Taeseok Kang

On the surface, Taeseok Kang’s collection has all the appearance of a luxe-commercial brand; using a classic combination of black leather and metallic gold embellishments.  However, on closer inspection the MA ‘Fashion Artefact‘ graduate surprises his audience with the use of hair and the unique construction of each piece.  We spoke to Kang to find out exactly what his inspiration was for the collection:

   

“My inspiration is Sexual Curiousity, which stems from my childhood and cultural background in Korea.  At that time it was really conservative; sexuality or sexualisation were not included in Sexual Education.  It was because of this that I am fascinated by the idea of Sexual Curiousity - almost like it is Pandora’s Box.  I am using hair, metal and leather; the colour black represents the concept.”

The juxtaposition between Kang’s intended audience and his controversial concept, mirrors the confused state from which his theme arose; thus adding to the personal - almost autobiographical - nature of the collection.  

Text by Abigail Gurney-Read

Images by Rebecca Andrews, and Lauren Marsh

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13 | Taeseok Kang

From London College of Fashion’s MA Fashion Artefact course, Taeseok Kang is the young designer from Korea that pushes the boundaries of design with unique handcrafted bags.

The collection titled Sexual Humorous translates the human body and explores themes of androgyny as well as the “palpable sensations that manifest from the sexual instinct of a human”. Using vegan leather, hair used as tassels, and even gold plated casts of actual nipples this is a collection that goes beyond the norm. The bags range in size and shape, illustrating perfectly the theme of the human body. Almost surrealist, Taeseok Kang introduces us to a new perspective on design that celebrates the provocative and the taboo.

Since being developed in 2007, London College of Fashion’s MA Fashion Artefacts course has been famed for producing designers who are individuals in their own right, such as Taeseok who play with techniques and ideas that introduce us to new ideas and concepts. Taseseok has already been handpicked for new heights - he was a semi-finalist in International Talent Support (ITS) 2012, alongside ITS 2012 Accesories winner and VFS designer Victoria Spruce. 

We look forward to seeing more of Taeseok Kang, as one of many talented designers exhibiting at Vauxhall Fashion Scout from 14^th September to 18^th September.

By Vanessa Omoregie

Twitter: @wewearblack

Images from Vogue Italia and BFW