The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

bitefashionart Cristina Lloyd looks at Gent London artists’ work projected onto authentic, iconic Burberry Mac coats. GENT London DESIGNER PROFILE Images courtesy of Gent London I ts true art is traditionally viewed within the confines of a gallery or on a wall. However, Gent London helps art- ists transform their creativity into wearable art pieces, so the canvas and street art can become a walking gallery. They aim to harness the vibrancy of UK and internation- al art and combine it with iconic fashion. Some of the most talented street, modern and contemporary artists from home and around the world have reworked classic pieces such as the trench coat and brought their unique vision to the streets. The collaborative brand has seen a significant shift in the fash- ion industry towards environmental awareness and global consciousness, with recycling efforts and sustainability at the core of many fashion houses worldwide. All items are upcycled vintage with new adornments such as replacement buckles, up- dated stitching and the inclusion of serialised holograms. They provide a unique canvas onto which their artists can shift their medium and breed new life into classic pieces that can be worn or kept as investment pieces. "Gent London aims to showcase the amazing talent and to create a new exclusive line for the fashion industry that brings together the talent of well-known artists and a wider talent pool of up-and-coming new artists too." They support ethical business practices and charities, giving a percentage of every sale to a featured charity on their website. In addition, their un- ending interest in sustainability will always be at the centre of their work. Some of their collaborative artists include UK-based artist Chromakane inspired by her multiethnic roots and whose art is a contemporary combination of Eastern and Western aesthet- ics. Her work is described as “intricately illustrative, emotional and hand-drawn in the blackwork style with bold use of neg- ative space. The artist brings a new visual identity to the table, which speaks to a diverse and interconnected community of art collectors.” The mask painted in black on the back of the red unisex vintage luxury single-breasted trench coat is an abstract of the Hindu goddess Kali who symbolises death, time and consciousness. "The more I grow as Chromakane, the more I want to showcase that art is a way of life beyond the traditional printed or paint- ed form," said the artist. "This project furthers my journey into exclusive wearable art, using unique and bespoke garments and textiles as my canvases." Tokyo-based British artist Horeekei is inspired by traditional Japanese symbolism, with each piece exquisitely hand-painted to produce some of the most stunning designs adorned with authentic trench coats. He is also a musician, writer and one of the only traditionally trained foreign-born artists working in Japan. His delicate and precise artwork is heavily influenced by traditional Japanese tattooing and ukiyo-e artists such as Kuniyoshi and Hokusai, with animals, flowers and places his favourite.