Sandra backlund biography
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Sandra Backlund
Framing Fashion
For Swedish designer Sandra Backlund, knitting is a signature technique. Influenced by Sweden’s strong history of craft practices, she creates pieces that build on these traditions, yet display an independent approach and unique visual language. Since establishing her studio in 2004, Backlund has created work that bears links to the output of masters such as Azzedine Alaïa, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Gareth Pugh, who have all experimented with knitwear. Yet she also likes to “consciously dress and undress parts of the body” in an effort to “highlight, distort, and transform the natural silhouette with clothes and accessories,” which recalls the interest of Comme des Garçon’s Rei Kawakubo in deconstruction. Subverting traditional ways of making clothing, Backlund, like Kawakubo, aims to break down hierarchies and suggest an alternative approach based on new rules and production techniques that are in tune with contemporary life.
Despite Backlund’s bold output, she has found it difficult to illustrate her collections with fashion photography. In 2008 she commissioned Swedish photographer Ola Bergengren to shoot her collection Last Breath Bruises as if the pieces were objects in a still life. The resulting, close-up images portray d
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Left: Blond Lips, Charlie Le Mindu using Hairdreams. Image by Manu Valcarce - Right: Sandra Backlund knitted dress, © John Scarisbrick
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Crafts Council celebrate the role of making in our lives by presenting an eclectic selection of over 100 exquisitely crafted objects, ranging from a life-size crochet bear to a ceramic eye patch, a fine metal flute to dry stone walling. Power of Makingis a cabinet of curiosities showing works by both amateurs and leading makers from around the world to present a snapshot of making in our time. On view September 6 to January 2, 2012.
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Fashioning description Object: Hallow, Boudicca, Sandra Backlund
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