I'm a greedy cow. My boyf buys a new sweatshirt. I'll somehow find a way of wearing it once in a while. A new vintage leather jacket. I'm wearing it as an oversized dress. A new issue of Monocle? I'll take it into the bath for a read with Radio 4 on at the same time. Arena Homme Plus? I'm flicking through it and poring over the editorials with him as opposed to leaving him to read quietly. In theory I should have left this post to Steve seeing as menswear isn't my forte but alas, the boy is somewhere in Dorset and I popped to the private view of the new "When You're a Boy: Styled by Simon Foxton" exhibition at The Photographer's Gallery tonight, the first exhibition I've ever been to that's solely dedicated to a stylist.
Simon Foxton needs no introduction I think. Most will probably know him for his styling work in i-D where he has been toiling away at for over twenty years. Some might recognise his work from Arena Homme Plus most significantly this image from the 'Galliano's Warrior's editorial from the summer/autumn 2007 issue. He's basically a legend who has seen all those seismic shifts in menswear portrayal and is someone who is constantly questioning definitions of masculinity in his work. I'm always fascinated by menswear editorials given that there are obvious limitations when compared to womenswear that there are supposed more boundaries and barriers. A lot of Foxton's work dispels that myth for me and he weaves a compelling styling narrative with his quirky aesthetic, given his penchant for clashing tailored and sports in a neat mash-up.
The exhibition is highly selected and rightly so given how prolific Foxton has been over the years. His work for i-D alone could probably fill a cavernous Tate-sized gallery. It's distilled into four main sections; his collaborations with Jason Evans (1), Alistair McLellan (2), Nick Knight (3) and his portrait work.
This is probably Foxton at his iconic best... four images from the 'Strictly' series from i-D July 1991 photographed by Jason Evans...
One of my favourite images from the whole exhibition... which I think is an unpublished image from Arena Homme Plus summer/autumn 2008... mixed prints overlaid on what I think is a vinyl background...
*blub* Images from The Face Feb 1986 shot by Nick Knight...
I loved that Simon Foxton has been keeping sketchbooks since 1981... and here are some of them on display... I've seen stylists use moodboards and torn out sheets for references but never such neatly kept scrapbooks...
Simon Foxton's recent collabo with Fred Perry is on sale... the boyf has already been on the phone asking how muchy, how muchy...HAH... well we all know how that'll turn out...I see them sitting nicely with my stripy Co-Operative Designs dress...
The first five leaflet/zine issues of i-D are also on sale and going for a princely sum of £750 each... spot the cover price of... 50p!!!!!
I'm also in love with Simon Foxton's shed where he constructs his sketchbooks... again never thought a stylist would have such a specific workspace...
Is there nothing Steve has his revenge with by pinching of yours?
I want that pink & orange polo for my boyf..then I could borrow it :D
Posted by: Ali | 16 July 2009 at 22:53
Ali: Well there is a Swash jumper that he might want to borrow... and the occasional bag.... but sadly, cages, hats and leggings aren't his thang...
Posted by: susie_bubble | 16 July 2009 at 22:56
I love seeing where artists, (and I do consider fashion styling an art) work, it really lets you in on their personality.
Posted by: Molly Rose | 17 July 2009 at 00:14
amazing. and the thing i love the most is the I HATE MUSIC poster in his workspace.
Posted by: SwanDiamondRose | 17 July 2009 at 02:16
wow, wow, wow! what a beautiful little world!
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Posted by: Michael | 17 July 2009 at 05:58
Heh, you never know Susie he might get a taste for it!
I was just trying to think actually if I have anything that my boyf would borrow..hmm nope. I guess it is a one-sided thing, us girls being able to wear things over-sized. There's something so nice about pulling on your boyfriend's cardie..
Posted by: Ali | 17 July 2009 at 09:49
I know you're used to more professional and prestigious features but I just wanted to let you know that I have featured one of your outfits on my blog... :)
Ciao!
Posted by: Blue | 17 July 2009 at 10:17
waaav , that'S space is so cute and warm. I'm amazed by how he filled every corner by himself...
Posted by: lady | 17 July 2009 at 11:37
Amazing little studio that :-D thanks for reminding me about this. def going to get down there... I love the photographers gallery. And I'm thinking of moving menswear-way career-wise, so uber-interested. Woop! Those fred-perry collab shirts are so kwl too. Can't wait to see them on ;-D Xxxc
Posted by: Cassiopeia | 17 July 2009 at 13:04
The most organised stylist I have ever seen! Honestly! Aren´t most stylists slightly shambolic?
Posted by: fashion-able | 17 July 2009 at 13:38
The Selby needs to do a feature on this guy. I love i-D magazine, I'm assuming he is the reason why.
Posted by: Isabel | 17 July 2009 at 13:58
Okay, I think I want a shed now.
Posted by: Meream | 17 July 2009 at 17:08
mmmm, love the shed with all the pots of colouring pencils!
Posted by: rollergirl | 18 July 2009 at 19:39
erm are you quite sure simon foxton's collab with fred perry is recent? i bought last november the exact same polo as the fourth one in your photo (the orange, grey white and black one..) ((http://zhori.blogspot.com/2009/01/perry-fairy.html))
Posted by: Zhori | 19 July 2009 at 23:25
^When I say recent, I mean in the last two years.... that's why on Twitter I said the collab probably isn't available anywhere BUT The Photographers Gallery now...
Posted by: susie_bubble | 20 July 2009 at 08:31
i liked the yellow shades worn in one of the pics. They are cool enough to make me look at them again n again. Quite Retro!
Posted by: Dior Sunglasses | 27 July 2009 at 18:40