A Collection of Limited-Edition Artist Designed Scarves: This autumn sees a unique collaboration of art and fashion come together between institutionally recognised, British-based artist Kate MccGwire, and Paris-based Co-Lab369, to create a series of limited-edition artist-designed scarves. Inspired by Kate MccGwire ’s existing artistic practice, each individual piece evokes cycles, patterns, and the dualities of nature born from a childhood in Norfolk as well as featuring feathers and earthy tones conjuring nature and time which the artist has become renowned for.
A visual artist and sculptor, Kate MccGwire goes through labour-intensive processes of collecting, sorting, and cleaning her materials to create muscular, writhing forms reminiscent of classical sculpture and creatures from mythology which are the inception of her sculptural practice. These sculptures explore dualities of aesthetics, being simultaneously seductive and repulsive; being at once organic and abstract; and appearing fluid yet being static. It is these forms which
find new life in the creation of these bespoke scarves.
Kate MccGwire’s extraordinary creative vision finds new life and meaning in these one-off collectible fashion pieces, enabling existing and new collectors to wear her artworks. Crafted in meticulous detail to recreate her delicate practice these signature designs – Host, Nimbus Reflection, Cavort Iris and Cavort East – each bear the unique signature of MccGwire’s distinctive creativity, which is rooted in nature and in an exploration of form and function. Made from luxury silk, wool and cashmere with beautiful hand-finished edges, there are between 50-100 scarves of each design available to buy in this first edition. The creative collaboration with founder of Co-Lab369, Michelle Lindup came about over a 10 year friendship with the artist, inspired latterly during a solo show at Galeries Filles de Calvaire in 2022.
Each unique scarf is crafted using artisanal techniques and practices from Como, Italy renowned for the best in bespoke luxury. Kate MccGwire x Co-Lab369 scarves are committed to responsible production, including the use of, for example, sustainable and environmentally friendly dyes. The scarves are made to order, ensuring minimum waste.
This series launch coincides with the unveiling of a new work by MccGwire commissioned for 1Hotel, Mayfair. TORRENT (2023) is a large installation situated in the Dover Yard Bar, where drinks include repurposed ingredients from the restaurant kitchen. 1 hotel is committed to a more sustainable approach, and this is reflected in both the design and the menus.
Speaking on ‘the duplicity of nature’, Artist Kate MccGwire has said, ‘My work is inspired by the water forming incredible patterns that are there one second and gone the next. Everything is fleeting on the water; it is beautiful but there is danger and treachery underneath the surface. I’m intrigued by that dichotomy.’
These scarves launch at a time when MccGwire’s work is being increasingly recognised as an independent creative force by both the fashion and art worlds. From 29 November 2023 – 28 April 2024 the fashion designer Iris Van Herpen will have a grand retrospective ‘Sculpting the Senses’ at Musée des Arts Decorative, Paris, which will include MccGwire’s sculpture INVEIGLE. This captivating and immersive exhibition will form part of Van Herpen’s showcase of 140 of her haute couture designs and accessories, being shown alongside work of artists that have inspired her career.
In December 2023, 10 of MccGwire’s works will be heading to Miami for the second time, this time to the Untitled Art Fair, Miami, presented by Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire, Paris – previously MccGwire’s work was shown in Miami in 2022.
CAVORT IRIS & CAVORT EAST
The scarves ‘Cavort Iris’ and ‘Cavort East’ were inspired by the installation CAVORT EAST (2020), Mixed media with pheasant feathers, 197 x 197 x 23 cm.
Created for Kate’s 2020 solo show at Harewood House, Leeds, this huge sculpture consisted of an undulating mass of feathers arranged in mesmerising patterns. Inspired by the ornate interiors designed by Robert Adam at Harewood House, CAVORT incorporated mirrors to create an intriguing kaleidoscopic installation.
Cavort Iris – £380.00 inc all duties and taxes
Cavort East – £405.00 inc all duties and taxes
HOST
The scarf ‘Host’ was inspired by the artwork: HOST II (2010), Mixed media with pigeon feathers, 61 x 36 x 15 cm.
HOST is a series of works shown at Kate’s 2012 solo show at All Visual Arts, London. The series features intricate sculptures made entirely from pigeon tail feathers layered into organic, otherworldly forms. The delicate forms, reminiscent of mushroom gills or fragile edges of burnt pages, defied logic as they seeped out of the gallery walls.
Host – £380.00 inc all duties and taxes
NIMBUS REFLECTION
The scarf ‘Nimbus Reflection’ was inspired by the artwork: DWELL NIMBUS (2011), Mixed media with white/grey pigeon feathers in an antique glass dome, 27 x 37 x 37 cm.
DWELL NIMBUS was created through a meticulous, repetitive layering process using pigeon and dove feathers. In 2013 Iris van Herpen selected DWELL NIMBUS to be shown as part of Nick Knight’s SHOWcabinet. Van Herpen selected work by artists that also find their inspiration in the natural world to sit alongside her intricate, inventive couture pieces.
Nimbus Reflection – £355.00 inc all duties and taxes
ENDS
For all Enquiries: KTW London
Katy Wickremesinghe: katy@ktwlondon.com, 07717 733891
Natalia Cassel: natalia@ktwlondon.com, 07949 020230
Notes to Editors
About Kate MccGwire (RCA)
Born in 1964 in Norfolk, UK, Kate MccGwire (RCA) lives and works in London. An internationally renowned British sculptor whose practice probes the beauty inherent in duality, MccGwire employs natural materials to explore the play of opposites at an aesthetic, intellectual and visceral level. Growing up on the Norfolk Broads, her connection with nature and fascination with birds was nurtured from an early age, with avian subjects and materials a recurring theme in her artwork. Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2004 her sculptures have been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery (London), Museum of Art and Design (New York), the Royal Academy of Arts (London), the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Paris), recently at the Chiostro del Bramante (Rome) and in numerous private collections around the world.
About CO-LAB369
CO-LAB369 scarves are made in Italy by artisanal craftsmen using only the finest natural, sustainable fabrics and non-toxic dyestuffs. From the Parisian studio to the creative and collaborative hub, CO-LAB369 immerses itself in the realm of its curated artists. A strong passion for design, fashion and the art of living is their inspiration for imaginative print artwork. With 30 years of experience in printed textiles, British fashion designer and brand creator, Michelle Lindup, plans to develop her personal aesthetics and art of living through a carefully-curated network of artists and craftsmen who share the same values. Michelle Lindup is the founder ofCo-Lab 369, a Paris based British fashion designer specialising in high quality printed textiles.
About 1 Hotel Mayfair
1 Hotel Mayfair, located on Berkeley Street overlooking Green Park, is London’s very first mission-driven sustainable luxury hotel, setting the standard for a new kind of luxury experience that positively impacts the planet. The UK brand flagship, 1 Hotel Mayfair is a nine-storey hotel, housing 181 guest rooms and suites, Dovetale, by two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers, Dover Yard, a signature cocktail bar and lounge featuring a sustainable drinks programme, Neighbours, a lively daytime café and evening bar and a Bamford Wellness Spa. Each month 1 Hotel Mayfair will curate a variety of events, classes and workshops for guests, from wellness pop-ups, community dog walks, music series, exclusive fitness classes and panel talks. For an up-to-date calendar of events, please visit the 1 Hotel Mayfair.
