The shoulder, in fashion speak, is HUGE at the moment. Well, they have been for the last few seasons if you haven't noticed, unless you've been chained to a radiator somewhere. And it seems the high street and the designers are still mass producing gorgeous little clothes with big Dynasty-style shoulders; tops, blazers, shirts all crammed full at the shoulder, dresses with added material at the shoulders to create sharp shapes and sculptured silhouettes, even some mens blazers and coats are stuffed with the odd secret shoulder-pad but shhh, don't tell anyone.
It was only a matter of time before some genius took the trend and ran with it so to speak. And that's exactly what Dean Sidaway has done. The Central St Martins graduate, who has a love for decorating the body and fusing different materials together (keys, wood, wool, metal), has produced what I have now called Shoulder Jewellery. It's avant-garde, brave and a concept that could potentially redefine the power label the shoulder carries. I for one love it, and obviously needed to find out more so was delighted when Dean agreed to answer a few questions. Here's what he had to say...
The Very: Shoulders are massive (literally and metaphorically) at the moment. Why have you chosen to focus on them?
Dean: I'd been thinking about design as decoration and adornment for the body for a while, the shoulders being an area which the sort of pieces I was considering could be applied and with the rise in focus on the shoulder seemed like a good a time as any.
The Very: Do you worry that, like a lot of fashion, shoulders will be out in a few seasons?
Dean:It's not a worry, but as with all fashion, things must progress and develop.
The Very: Who are your main inspirations? A person, maybe Joan Collins for instance? Or a label... Balmain?
Dean: I love Joan Collins, but that is the first time I have associated her with my collection! My inspiration came from a variety of sources, but mainly from a desire to fuse other materials, such as wood or ceramics into my designs along with traditional fabrics such as leather and wool.
The Very: If one fashion house was to approach you to design for them, who would you want it to be?
Dean: Lanvin would be amazing, but I am very interested in collaborating with a variety of designers from not only fashion; also art, film and photography.
The Very: What do you tend to dress in day to day? Who are your favourite designers?
Dean: I think I'm quite practical, I like tweeds and chunky knits at the moment. Winter is my favourite time in terms of clothes. Favourite designers that I wear would be Dries Van Noten, but mainly I wear charity shop finds.
The Very: What is next for Dean Sidaway? Any mens accessories?
Dean: I'm hoping that some people would consider some of this collection for men, I could see Chip or A(r)mour easily on men. Next season I'm looking into the idea of fragments.
To find out more about Dean's current collection, have a look on his website, www.deansidaway.com and check out a couple of his designs below, aren't they FAB?
Hey!
Welcome to The Very Simon G. My blog has been going for nearly a decade, but there ain’t getting away from me just yet! Come in for fashion, fun and everything in between. Enjoy!