Never underestimate the power of a good book. Whether that is a work of fiction, an essay, a retrospective or anything else as before this internet thing happened that was all there was to inspire and learn. The British Library of course know this all too well and that is why they are putting on a five day celebration of film, design and fashion with their Spring Festival 2013.
“From Russian propaganda to rainforest recordings, the treasures from the British Library’s archives have inspired up-and-coming creatives as well as established artists. This year the Library is delighted to reveal a brand new piece of art from leading fashion illustrator Julie Verhoeven to celebrate the Festival and, as a tribute to the Library’s incredible collections, a series of postcards from some of the most influential figures in the fashion world telling us about their favourite item in the Library.”
At this years festival there will be industry experts, including Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of GQ Magazine, to leading fashion illustrator and artist Julie Verhoeven, whose portfolio includes Louis Vuitton, Versace and Mulberry, to speak about their sources of inspiration.
The events are great for anyone getting into any of the relevant fields or of course anyone with a curiosity surrounding any of the subjects. As well as talks from industry experts a series of postcards will be sent in by leading fashion names, including Gareth Pugh, Alex Fury, Adam Selman and Christopher Kane, to tell us about their favourite Library collection items. The postcards will be on display for one night only in a pop-up exhibition along with the Library’s historic issues of fashion magazines, from Vogue to I-D, during Late at the Library: Fashion Flashback, an evening of music and fashion co-curated by the Central Saint Martins Fashion History and Theory degree students. The evening will also see Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of GQ Magazine, and fashion illustrator Tanya Ling give a special ‘In conversation with…’ talk, an exclusive ‘paper fashion show’ of specially commissioned designs by the Central Saint Martins Print Design course, a styling area where guests can receive makeovers with leading brand Chantecaille inspired by iconic looks taken from the Library’s Cecil Beaton archives, live costume drawing and sets by iconic British DJs, Princess Julia and Jeffrey Hinton.
When it comes to the film section of the festival the Library and IdeasTap will be celebrating new work from budding UK film makers with a debut film competition. Filmmakers were asked to produce a new short film using sounds from the Library’s unique wildlife recordings, from haddock to bats. The winning film will be shown during the Festival alongside award-winning shorts from the Future Shorts Festival including the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at 2012 Sundance Film Festival ‘Fishing without nets’.
Also designers from all over the country have once again been invited to host a stall at this year’s Spring Market on the Library’s piazza, selling products inspired by the Library’s collections and nurtured to market by its Business & IP Centre. The list of designers is soon to be announced on the Spring Festival pages. See a video of last year’s market on the piazza here.
Other Festival highlights include:
Insider Trends: Retail trends in Fashion
Aimed at fashion designers and businesses, this talk will explore the current trends of the fashion retail sector, from shopping online and via mobile apps, to customisation and the high street. In partnership with Insider Trends
Insider Trends: Retail trends in Fashion
Fri 1 March, 10.00 – 12.00
Business & IP Centre
£15
Meet Fashion Illustrator Julie Verhoeven
Julie Verhoeven, leading fashion illustrator and artist, has collaborated internationally with labels including Louis Vuitton, Versace, H&M, Mulberry and MAC. She will discuss her story and the artwork created for the Spring Festival in this session.
Meet Fashion Illustrator Julie Verhoeven
Mon 4 March 2013, 11.00 – 12.00
Conference Centre
£5 / £3 concessions
The Folio Society: Illustrating Books
Chaired by BBC arts editor Will Gompertz, three soon to be announced illustrators will discuss how they have visualised classic books, bringing them to life and creating images that match and enhance them. In addition The House of Illustration will also have illustrators working live at the event. In partnership with the Folio Society www.foliosociety.com
The Folio Society: Illustrating Books
Tue 5 Mar 2013, 18.30-21.00
Conference Centre
£7.50 / £5 concessions
Lunchtime talk: Meet our Jewellery Designer in Residence
Sarah Warsop has spent the last six months delving into the Library’s music collections. A choreographer, dancer and designer by trade, she has been inspired by 1960s experimental music notation to create her new jewellery range. In partnership with Artquest.
Lunchtime talk: Meet our Jewellery Designer in Residence
Tue 5 Mar 2013, 13.00-14.00
Business & IP Centre
£5 / £3 concessions
LATE at the Library: Fashion Flashback
Fri 1 Mar 2013, 19.30-22.30
Entrance Hall
£7.50 / £5 concessions
Future Shorts Festival and Sound Edit: Wildlife Screening
Sat 2 Mar 2013, 15.00-17.00
Conference Centre
£5 / £3 concessions
Market: Made with the British Library
Mon 4 Mar 2013, 09.30-17.30
Piazza
Free
Temporary display: Encounters between Art and Science
Mon 25 Feb 2013 – Sun 24 Mar 2013, 09.30 – 17.00
St Pancras building
Free
