NEWS +
Margin has expanded the show by opening up an addtional 20% of floorspace to make room for the growing number of exciting UK and International start-ups looking to exhibit in London during London Fashion Week +

By opening up a previously unused area of the Margin venue to make for a larger Magazine and Media Lounge, the February 2008 edition has grown to over 90 exhibitors to create the largest curated selection of Mens and Womens streetwear exhibitors in Central London + By hand-picking great brands that Margin considers relevant and exciting to contemporary buyers and press, Margin has created our largest show to date and a one-stop selection in the very centre of London in Soho +

Margin is well known amongst key buyers and press for providing an affordable launchpad for new labels and the February 2008 edition is no exception with over 80% of exhibitors making their global debut +

Originally established to provide a relevant showcase for upscale streetwear brands such as Dephect, Lost Property and Ames Bros, the show has expanded gradually and carefully each season to encompass additional product areas.

The sharp tailoring and elegant designerwear of the Kreateur area has been honed each season to highlight cutting-edge garments with labels such as Social Suicide, Missmilne, Emily & Fin, and Dusty.

In August, the new accessories area GILD was added to the show to focus on directional accessories ranges by new brands such as Punky Pins, Pik & Pokket, Prod, and Zillion who will be exhibiting in the February GILD.

New for February 2008, Margin has added an area for eco-aware streetwear labels called TraidFare , highlighting brands that use organic fabrics and manufacture responsibly and sustainably such as Kuyichi, Komodo, THTC, Organic Stereo, Regenerate, Rise-Up, Moly Kulte and Jumble and other ethical fashion brands.

Margin will take place on the 10th 11th & 12th February 2008 at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in Soho , map online at www.margin.tv/map

PARTIES +
Margin is hosting two parties during London Fashion Week +
The first pre-show party takes place on Saturday the 9th February with Deers DJ’s Laurents from Bread & Honey, Kitsune’s Jerry Bouthier, and DJ Paulette from Mix Paris.
The second mid-show party takes place on Monday the 11th February organised by Margin exhibitors Bantum, Death Industries England, M.Y Clothing, Marmalade Ho and Regenerate, with DJ Example and Elementz, and UK Championship breakdancers Imperial Steps.

CD & SOUNDTRACK +
Margin is pleased to be welcoming New York record label Nublu Records to Margin London in February 2008. Nublu will be providing the backing soundtrack to the three days of the show as well as a limited-edition Margin x Nublu CD exclusively for Margin visitors +

ART +
PIMP ART is the new artist agency and subsidiary arm of the PIMP collective which incorparates the magazines, Pimp Guides. The PIMP platform has formed a roster of some of the most prolific artists worldwide, boasting highly-respected and internationally-acclaimed fine and graphic artists, graffiti writers, photographers and illustrators. Pimp will be installing their art in the Magazine Lounge at Margin London in February 2008 +

REFRESHMENT +
Margin is pleased to welcome back Firefly Tonics who will be providing complimentary refreshments for Margin visitors in February 2008 + With a range of healthy drinks that are sugar-free, Firefly Tonics are a blend of herbs and fruit juices created by expert herbalists + With names such as “Wake Up”, “Chill Out”, “De-tox”, “Love Potion” and “Health Kick”, the self-explanatory tonics are a natural way to refresh and revitalise + www.fireflytonics.com

MISSION + Margin exists to promote young upscale streetwear labels. The Original and the best platform for new talent for the over 6 years, Margin was established to help new labels reach a wider buying and press audience. Margin was created out of necessity. Retailers travel the world looking for the next big thing but are never going to find up-and-coming labels at a show whose costs prohibit fresh talent. The main drive of Margin was to establish a show where new young labels could find an affordable platform.

MARGIN + www.margin.tv +

MPDclick Website

As you enter the industrial white brick basement in the heart of the trendy Carnaby shopping district, you are immediately greeted with the freshest talent at Margin. The first room is dedicated to up and coming labels who are attending Margin for the first time, while the second room holds regular contributors to the show who stand out for having unique twists to their collections. As one of the smaller London trade fairs, the intimate setting gave the show a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with press from directional magazines and buyers looking for the next big thing mingling with the enthusiastic labels.

Margin London is a trade fair which provides a platform for the latest designers and brands on the upscale streetwear scene to showcase their collections to the press and potential buyers, with many attending their first show. With designers from around the world participating, Margin demonstrated global talent at its quirkiest and most inventive. There was everything from kitsch laser cut jewellery to bags masquerading as speakers for your I pod, to two-in-one embellished sneakers which morph from a hi-top baseball shoe to a sandal: ideal for the frugal traveller.

A strong focus at the show was the use of clothing as canvases for graphics and illustrations, with many creators coming from backgrounds in graphic design rather than fashion. Some labels revived iconic and nostalgic images to adorn their wares while others sourced artwork from the newest and most original image makers on the scene. Influences came from a wide range of popular culture elements such as music, graffiti, character design, Japanese street fashion and comic books to name a few. Screen printed T-shirts with clever designs sat alongside retro prints and silhouettes interpreted for the contemporary market. Many labels originated from foreign waters and had developed traditional cultural aesthetics into modern streetwear, with a sense of national pride and global appreciation coming into play.
LINKS:
http://www.mpdclick.com/

Upper Playground

With a highly respected art gallery, DVDs, and books on the go, forward-thinking San Franscisco collective Upper Playground return to Margin with their collection of wearable art.

With a list of collaborators that reads like a Who’s Who of contemporary art including Sam Flores, Andy Jenkins, The London Police, Dave Kinsey, Estevan Oriol, Jeremy Fish, Dave Choe, and Ricky Powell, Upper Playground was founded in 1998 and has become a leader in today’s progressive art movement.

With a new range of limited-edition furniture, a cap colloboration with New Era, vinyl toys, sought-after art DVDs and books, Upper Playground continue to lead the field by following their creative instincts.

Art work by See

Contemporary abstract work, utilising aerosol techniques with vivid colour mixes and hints of chrome.

Influences include Graffiti, John Hoyland, Manga and skies lines to name but a few.

Exploring abstract proportions and playing with both bright and soft colouring, making work suitable for not only for student gaffs but also in luxury flats and inner city apartments.

Fusing the art work with sign making vinyl’s and alternative substrates the work becomes a 3 dimensional piece.
These are niche interior decor pieces and large scale installations.
Interiors Clients include Selfridges, Popcorn Design and Radiator PR.

Art work by See exhibited pieces in the lounge at Margin in July 2006.

For further details, visit the website at:
www.seeincolour.com

LET THEM HANG

A new art website straight out of Bristol, bringing you a heavyweight collective of street artists, graphic designers and illustrators. A3 and A2 sized LTD edition, hand screened art prints, each limited to 150 prints. Exclusive guest artists, touring exhibitions, original pieces of art, stickers, ltd edition t-shirts and lots more.

Artists include: Eco, Dicy, Xenz, Paris, Nylon, Mr Jago, Sickboy, Mudwig, Will Barras, China Mike, & Darren Groucutt.

Supremebeing

Supremebeing are a family of artists in which some paint, some sketch, some use computers and some make music. As well as creating unique canvases for the February 2005 edition of Margin London, Supremebeing have been busy painting the walls at the new store by Richmond Classics, Geeks and Freaks.

Supremebeing are extending their range from clothing and canvases to include vinyl figures as part of their new “Not Toys” series due soon.

MARGIN ARTISTS
Margin has always featured work from new and young artists, including products, fine art, graphics, graff, and photography.
The following artists have been invited to contribute to the visual landscape of the February 2005 edition:
SUPREMEBEING - producing a custom installation in the main room;
KIERAN BATTLES - UK photographer;
HULGER - innovative phone handsets.

DOOK

Working as a freelance graphic designer (producing record covers, magazine spreads and graphics for fashion brands) pays the bills and allows DOOK the space he needs to plan his trademark time-consuming and painstaking graphic pieces.

Inspired by Saul Bass, Ren and Stimpy, and 1980’s bed-linen, viewers have responded well to the use of colour and a modern aesthetic with a 1950’s edge. With an exhibition in Tokyo under his belt where he produces most of his commercial work, DOOK will be heading to Los Angeles in August to take his work to the States.

A selection of works by DOOK were on display at Margin London in August 2004.

dook.info