CONTEMPORARY FASHION ARCHIVE
May 05, 2004
Yuppie, we are so happy to see the big things that our friends are realising around the world; in this case we are talking about Unit F, an association for contemporary fashion based in Vienna, a information-, communication- and co-ordination point for fashion designers, the corporate world, science and culture. Unit F defines fashion as a cultural discourse, as well as, an economic factor. Central to all activities of Unit F stands the mediation of contemporary fashion design and the promotion of Austrian fashion designers. They have a brilliant project going on, it is the CFA - Contemporary Fashion Archive: an international project that addresses contemporary fashion design. Six renowned European fashion institutions have joined forces to establish a unique information network, which detects and presents current positions and developments in fashion design. This information network consists of an Internet platform with a digital archive and local documentation centres located at the different institutions of the partners in question.
The archive will feature collections and projects of various international fashion and accessory designers, whose work is characterised by an experimental and innovative approach to fashion.
The focus lies on the impulses, aesthetic concepts and network strategies of a new generation of designers that shaped 90s fashion e.g. Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela and Walter van Beirendonck, later followed by Raf Simons, Viktor & Rolf, Bless and Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga. The increasing connections between fashion design and neighbouring creative fields such as photography, industrial design, arts, graphic and web design, styling, architecture and electronic music are highlighted and documented. In addition, relevant institutions, magazines and exhibitions are presented, as well.
Since May 2002, the CFA is set up as a European co-operation project. It has been awarded funding as an exemplary project in the area of fashion by the European Union in the context of the Commissions' culture program Culture 2000.The CFA addresses all interested in culture, the arts and fashion as well as the general public and professionals.
The co-operation partners involved organise and execute a series of events and lectures in the cities represented in the project. The goal is to, on the one hand, communicate the interdisciplinary and mediating role of contemporary fashion and to further the exchange of knowledge and the collaboration between the participating institutions, on the other.
You probably know them already, but a few words won't kill: those are the partners of Unit-F for this amazing project:
Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, London (GB)
Central Saint Martins is one of the most important and traditional training posts for contemporary fashion in Great Britain. Aside from the renowned fashion classes, the college is also highly respected as an educational facility and scientific research institution in the fields of applied arts, fashion, graphic and 3D design, theatre and performances, as well as, interdisciplinary arts. The long list of famous alumni include: John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Stella McCartney or Alexander McQueen.
Flanders Fashion Institute, Antwerp (B)
The goal of the Flanders Fashion Institute is to promote and further establish the Belgian fashion scene. In September 2002, the ModeNatie building was opened: a unique fashion institute housing a fashion college, a museum, a library, an archive, a forum, and the Flanders Fashion Institute which had an substantial role in the planning and execution of the ModeNatie. This building offers a unique platform for students, designers, fashion aficionados and the entire industry as well as provides a home to the international fashion scene.
Dutch Fashion Foundation, Amsterdam (NL)
The Dutch Fashion Foundation (DFF) strives to strengthen the cultural, economical and social role of Dutch fashion on a national and international level. The DFF network consists of the most talented young Dutch fashion designers. DFF forms a contact point and quality guarantee for all parties, both commercial and non-commercial, that want to work with fashion on the highest level possible. Through four fields of service; presentations and creative concept development, consulting and mediation, international network activities and documentation and information provision, DFF makes her network accessible.
University of Applied Sciences, Pforzheim (D)
In 1978, the traditional University of Applied Sciences created a fashion curriculum. Soon, an international profile was established. Right from the start, a clear goal of the fashion class was to train highly qualified designers who are flexible enough to incorporate adjacent areas professionally as well as creatively.
Give'em your support and use all the information and inspiration you can get out of this incredible tool.
Unit F
CFA - Contemporary Fashion Archive
