At Somerset House

19 February

PUBLIC EVENT: Fashion Utopias: Then & Now
13.30- 17.30 19 February
Screening Room, Embankment Entrance Somerset House, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 2PH
Tickets: £10/£8 Concessions
Booking: www.somersethouse.org.uk

A symposium in partnership with the Courtauld Institute of Art History of Dress Research Department exploring the philosophical, political, social and cultural implications of fashion and utopianism. Researchers from the Courtauld Institute will present papers looking at Utopia in a historical context with responses from contemporary curators and designers. Topics include: the body,  democracy and dictatorship, the fashion image and surrealism.

PUBLIC EVENT: Fashion Utopias: Friday Late in partnership with Time Out London
19.00– 21.00, 19 February
West Wing Galleries, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Tickets: £15
Booking: www.timeout.com/IFSLate  

An evening of fashion, music, performance and activities going behind the scenes of Fashion Utopias during London Fashion Week. Join us as we explore the utopian dreams of some of the most talented young designers from around the world. Featuring activities, including an exclusive workshop with creative director Carri Munden, a pattern tour with Patternity, fashion performance blurring the lines between food and fashion, behind the scenes workshops from designers exhibiting in Fashion Utopias and music from Porto-based DJ Solution.

In partnership with Time Out London

20 February

PUBLIC EVENT: Fashion Utopias Workshops

11.00 - 17.00, 20 February
Utopian Treasury, Embankment Entrance Somerset House, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 2PH
Free Drop in

A series of craft workshops exploring textile design and craft from around the world.

• 11.00 METAMORPHOSISTEXTIL

A workshop with Sofia Contreras from Guatemalan brand MËUS exploring symbology in Mayan textiles. Visitors will trace symbols in textile design from ancient to contemporary and create their own symbols.

• 13.00 Shape and Structure: Fashion Workshop with Czech and Slovak Designers

A practical workshop suitable for both adults and children, focusing on  contemporary embroidery and weaving used by young designers. Participants will be working with various materials and techniques, some traditional, some recycled or newly developed by the designers themselves. The individual pieces of embroidery will later be attached together and form a large collective canvas.  Material, tools and guidance will be provided. Drop in any time between 13.00-16.30.

22 February

PUBLIC EVENT: Fashion Utopias spotlight tours
12.30 & 16.30 22 February
Drop in. Spaces are limited, registration form will be available on reception 30 minutes before tour start time.

Exhibition spotlight tours with curators and fashion industry insiders who will choose their highlights from Fashion Utopias.

Find out more information about the tours here

23 February

PUBLIC EVENT: Fashion Utopias spotlight tours
12.30 & 16.30 23 February
Drop in. Spaces are limited, registration form will be available on reception 30 minutes before tour start time.

Exhibition spotlight tours with curators and fashion industry insiders who will choose their highlights from Fashion Utopias.

Find out more information about the tours here

Keynote Debate: New Ways, Better Ways - Imagining a Utopian Fashion System  
18.45 – 20.00 23 February
Kings Cultural Institute, East Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 2LS
Free admission, spaces limited.
Booking: billetto.co.uk/en/events/IFS-2016-Keynote-Debate

For the fashion industry to survive and grow we all have to face up to its dystopian impacts. From environmental destruction and waste, to sustaining cycles of exploitation and poverty, inequality and a lack of sustainability are built into certain aspects of our global fashion system. However, a new breed of designers, entrepreneurs and activists are questioning the very infrastructure of the industry.

As part of the International Fashion Showcase and Utopia 2016 season at Somerset House a panel of experts on innovation and sustainability come together to discuss the big questions the industry faces and to suggest what a Utopian fashion industry might look like. Speakers include journalist and writer Lucy Siegle author of 'To Die For: is fashion wearing out the world?' and Caryn Franklin.

Satellite Events

PUBLIC EVENT: Basic Structures of…
09.00 - 17.00 Mon-Fri, 9 February - 1 April
Austrian Cultural Forum London, 28 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PQ

Basic Structures of… presents three artists that use the vocabulary of fabric within the development of their practice. Positioned within the frame of fashion week, this exhibition delves into the conceptualisation of trends, repetitive processes of production and human relationships to weave. Participating artists include Anna-Sophie Berger and Constanze Schweiger from Austria and Fay Nicholson from the UK.

PUBLIC EVENT: Brand Korea
18.30 - 19.30, 22 February
Korean Cultural Centre UK, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5JR
RSVP: info@KCCUK.org.uk +44(0)20 7004 2600

Panel discussion chaired by Print Matters curator Tory Turk.