Hussein Chalayan- “If You Don’t Take Risks, Nothing Happens”

Muchaneta Kapfunde | @FashNerdEditor

We are inspired by a designer who does not seek approval. Creates what feels right. Is an innovative risk taker. Is unafraid to design groundbreaking collections. This fashion week season that designer is Hussein Chalayan.

Hussein Chalayan Studio in Paris the day before his Spring 2016 show. Photo: Jason Lloyd-Evan
Hussein Chalayan Studio in Paris the day before his Spring 2016 show. Photo: Jason Lloyd-Evan

Central St Martin graduate, Hussein Chalayan MBE is a British/Turkish Cypriot fashion designer who has won the British Designer of the Year twice and was awarded the MBE in 2006. This season in Paris, he marked his 10th year collaborating with Swarovski with a collection that pushed boundaries of traditional fashion design.

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Hussein’s SS16 was a spellbinding collection that creatively enchanted its audience. Successfully fusing fashion and technology, the finale had to be seen to be believed. It all began with a runway of gorgeous models adorning striking clothes and as the show came to an end, two models appeared. With no emotion on their faces, dressed in crisp white dresses, they made for the perfect mannequin. As they stood there in front of a live audience, water was suddenly poured over them. They stood still, getting drenched and then suddenly their garments started to melt away. As a collective sigh rippled through the audience, the water soluble garments disintegrated to reveal gowns embellished with Swarovski crystals- the white dresses where no more.

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With such drama on the runway, one could accuse Hussein of being a show man, but like the man said “if you don’t take risks in the world, nothing happens, you just stay static.” 

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