Hussein Chalayan's tulle

My first meeting with Hussein Chalayan was in London at the Design Museum. And then, I was born :). This exhibition was the first comprehensive presentation of Hussein Chalayan's work in the UK. He is one of the most visionary designers working in fashion today. His use of material is amazing and it all comes by taking his inspiration from disciplines not readily associated with fashion, crossing between anthropology, history, science, philosophy and technology.

Mango's current shop window in Barcelona reminded me of one of his past collections Before Minus Now S/S 2000 where one of the center pieces was a shapeless bale of tulle that was cut gradually in order to arrive at a more regular dress. This technique was inspired by the way in which mountains are created by centuries of tectonic thrust and erosion. Two of the dresses were representing the collection at the Design Museum this year.

And this is Mango's shop window in Barcelona. The same tulle and the same colors, just that it serves different purposes and embraces different concepts. The tulle balls seem to be bath sponges if I look at the bath curtain in the back of the mannequins but the ladders confuse me a bit. Hmmm...