Fashion In Motion returns to the V&A with the British Artist Daniel Lismore. Known for the fabric sculptures, he produced a fashion show in the beautiful surroundings of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
It was unlike any other show I had seen, with twelve outfits on mannequins and laid out like an art exhibition. Each one lit up one by one as a pre-recorded Daniel talked about the outfits and what inspired him, and then suddenly, one of the models moved in the middle, and this was Daniel himself.
What is Fashion In Motion?
Fashion In Motion is a series of fashion shows at the V&A, showcasing contemporary designers. The event is free and usually occurs in the Museum’s amphitheatre. Fashion in Motion is supported by Libbie Scher Mugrabi.
The first show was in June 1999 with the designer Milliner Philip Treacy. Over the years, some of the most well-known designers have taken part. These include Alexander McQueen, Molly Goddard, Roksanda, Vivienne Westwood and Yohji Yamamoto.
Who is Daniel Lismore?
Lismore had his first exhibition at Tate Modern in 2013. The theme was all about self-portraits. He followed this up with another exhibition at Tate Britain in 2014.
Daniel Lismore, a living sculpture from London and Coventry, creates elaborate, extravagant, three-dimensional tableaux of figurative sculptures crafted like tapestries. Daniel’s pieces are crafted out of fragments previously worn by him, meshing history with futurism while reflecting the world in which he lives.
Lismore is also an active campaigner, the ambassador of a climate change charity called Cool Earth. In 2016 he helped H&M on their campaign called ‘Close the Loop’ to recycle clothes.
Exhibition / Fashion Show
Below are the outfits displayed at the Fashion In Motion show of Daniel Lismore’s designs.
1. PRIME MINISTER, 2022
Made from Benjamin Disraeli statue in Liverpool, for Statues Redressed sculpture, Intersex Inclusive Pride flag by Valentino Vecchietti, Burberry Pride scarf, Sorapol Bag, defaced Road Sign.
2. LADY-IN-WAITING, 2016
Reproduction i-D magazine cover, Issey Miyake pleated dress, Renaissance-inspired arm armour, costume pirate hook, oversized fabric flower, and Sorapol tartan wool skirt, designed for Thai Airways.
3. REGINA, 2022
Commission for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Platinum Party at The Palace. Outfit designed by Rachele Terrinoni in collaboration with LCF and Daniel Lismore, inspired by Queen Elizabeth ll. Handmade gloves by Cornelia James. Brooches gifted by Galentique. Salar Bil Caftan.
4. REINE, 2016
Sorapol Marie Antoinette-inspired hat with shredded tulle base, butterfly headpiece, BOY London T-shirt, safety pin and zipper embellishments, Malcolm McLaren straitjacket, Indian sari, Sorapol couture pearl-accented gowns, Badge, gifted by Julian Assange.
5. WARRIOR, 2016
Somali basket lid, Afghan bridal headpiece, Maasai, Native American, and Somali accessories, Andrew Logan brooch, Renaissance-inspired pauldrons with ornamental dragonflies, Alexander McQueen feather dress, Sorapol crystal-embellished stingray dress.
6. PRESIDENT, 2022
Vintage brooches (1920’s – 1990’s) donated by Galentique, Whitney Houston Keyring, P Diddy logo, Star Trek Keyring, brooch from Little Rock AR, chainmail. Gold necklace, Ruby Necklace, Garnet Necklace, Diamond bracelet, Robert Piguet Keyring, Patrick McDowell brooches, Miao Silver Necklace, Kloss badge. Custom made Kaushik Velendra cloak made for the BFA awards. Salar Bil caftan. ‘Daniel Lismore’s Lips’ artwork by Andrew Logan. Alexander McQueen Keyrings. Broken tiaras. Victoria Grant hat, Gucci ankle bracelet.
7. DAME, 2019
Worn to open the Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief show at the British Museum, Pink Monsters ENO costumes, Sorapol crystal cape, Colin Douglas Gray decorated photograph, Celtic Brooch (Scotland).
8. QUEEN, 2016
Sorapol crown, worn by Nicki Minaj in the Freedom music video, chainmail hood and vest, Chinese garnet necklace, Mongolian goat fur, marabou feathers, Jasper Conran rhinestone cuffs, Thai brass dance fingernails, ornamental gold-leafed skull, Louis Vuitton leopard-print scarf, Maasai shuka.
9. PHILOSOPHER, 2019
TED Talk badge, Swarovski Crystals, Kreemart x Daniel Lismore x Mastercard Armour, Sorapol hat, Chainmail, custom made dress for TED Talk, Les Suites Feathers, Kalaga Burma, Kuba raffia pile clot (Kuba Kingdom, DR Congo) ruby brooch and necklace (India), custom made crown, Kuchi headdress (Afghanistan), Chelsea Manning badge (Wikileaks), Shipibo-Conibo necklace (Peru), S’uvimol handbag, Seti pin and badge, Sea Bamboo Necklace.
10. SERJEANT AT ARMS, 2016
Steel helmet, ornamental butterflies, Alexander McQueen jewellery, Chinese, Indian, and Thai accessories, Sorapol couture beaded and pearl-embroidered dress, gilded cardboard jewellery, gilded leg guards, Scissor Sisters concert backdrop fabric, Sorapol sequined fabric.
11. VISCOUNT, 2016
Philip Treacy hat, once worn by Boy George, Thai brass dance bells, Sorapol acrylic dome, tulle underskirt, Alexander McQueen jacket, Sorapol couture beaded gown, latex and polyester mermaid tail.
12. DUKE, 2016
Thai headpieces, traditional dancing accessories, Indian rug with gemstone embellishments, Sorapol couture beaded fabric, and scarves.
More photographs
Below are a few more photos of the fashion show.
Thanks for reading; always amazing to catch the Fashion In Motion shows at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The last show in 2019 with Guo Pei can be read here.
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