London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 24 saw a re-charged collaboration with ON/OFF and artist designer, Jack Irving showcasing a stunning live installation of his work of wearable, futuristic, inflatable art sculptures set in Spitalfields, London on the 18th February. Now in its 22nd year, On|Off continues to support creative innovation and push boundaries through fashion, technology and art.
For London Fashion Week Jack Irving’s creative concept was based on a subterranean aquatic underworld with the discoveries of a new alien species set in a backdrop of an abandoned power plant in the ocean. He imagined that in this setting over time the sea had combined with electromagnetic energy while harnessing and creating new hybrid alien life forms.
The static creative atmosphere of the event evokes that of an atmosphere giving electric radio waves like that of a nuclear reactor or powerplant. This strange, bizarre atomic environment combined with the energy of water is a perfect storm to birth alien hybrid life forms, the power of two elements colliding. The viewer discovers these creatures for the first time as a new world discovery.
Models were gracefully rotating on platforms while showcasing three inflatable alien creations in aqua hues with a splash of chrome reflecting the electromagnetic theme and explosion of energy.
A fourth model was seen as an AI created creature through a constantly spinning hologram wall.
On|Off’s Director Lee Lapthorne says,
“I am excited to be working with Jack again and embracing cutting-edge technology, such as advanced video projection systems and holographic technology, to create an immersive experience, in collaboration with Jack. Integrating state-of-the-art presentation technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) opens up a realm of possibilities for creative expression and innovation within the world of fashion and art.”
Lee continues his L’Oreal Professionnel partnership by teaming up hairdresser Jack Merrick-Thirlway with Jack Irving to design the hair in A.I to then reproduce in reality – pushing capabilities of creative hair styling and bringing their creations into reality.
“The decision to partner hairdresser Jack Merrick-Thirlway with designer Jack Irving, in collaboration with L’Oréal Professionnel, and leveraging AI technology, is a ground-breaking approach in the world of fashion and hairstyling. This initiative has the potential to redefine creative hairstyling by blending AI’s analytical and generative capabilities with the artistic vision and expertise of top stylist Jack.”
Jack Irving is famous for his work with Lady Gaga who has worn many of his pieces, the most famous of these is the Sea Urchin Showgirl inflatable dress that she wore on the finale night of her artRAVE:The Artpop Ball World Tour in Paris. Lady Gaga featured her collaboration with Jack in American Vogue as one of her top 20 most iconic looks of all time.
Jack Irving runs his own design studio in East London where he creates collections of wearable art, creating his own cosmic worlds of his hyper-reality. His futuristic vision fuses the worlds of fantasy and experimental design. He is heavily inspired by deep sea life and nature, often experimenting with the concept of shape, silhouette and transformation.
Having won 4 major awards at the World of Wearable Art Awards in New Zealand including the Cirque Du Soleil artisan award for innovation in costume design, Jack Irving is highly sought after and has showcased a live installation of his inflatable wearable sculptures at the prestigious V&A museum London.
By Kim Grahame
Main photo: Kim Grahame
