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Dead man’s clothes

The discovery of a set of bespoke patterns belonging to a dead client was the inspiration for designer Hormazd Narielwalla’s limited edition book, Dead Man’s Patterns. The find – which included patterns for jackets, suits and trousers – led him to contemplate what he calls the “secret” hidden beneath bespoke menswear: the “pattern, which details the intimate and private dialogue between two people: a man and his tailor”. For Homi, though the finished suit is publicly visible, we are denied the private details which minutely document and measure a man. Homi’s reverence for the fragile pieces of parchment is palpable and profound. He views the pattern as the man’s identity, his DNA and as he removed them from the envelope he describes his “feeling of nostalgia... for the fragment which was part of the dead man”. This beautifully illustrated ‘menswear journey’ analyses and manipulates the patterns to find new forms and describes the creation of Homi’s own bespoke dress shirt. Crafted by Robert Whittaker at the house of Dege & Skinner, Savile Row it has one sleeve longer than the other reflecting Homi’s natural asymmetry – a secret which, if it were not for this book, only he and his shirt maker would ever know. To order contact Hormazd Narielwalla at homi@mail2fashion.com

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With the Olympics looming there’s no escaping China fever. Under the influence of the current global marketing campaign you could even be forgiven for forgetting the government’s human rights record. Still, Liberty in collaboration with the V&A, has innovative designs on show and the V&A’s own exhibitionChina Design Now makes vital viewing – it documents the explosion of new design in China in response to its rapid economic development and the dreams of its urban aspirants. Ponder architecture, graphics and fashion from leading designers and pick up a souvenir at the V&A shop; like this hand embroidered Chick Chain Bag from Mandarin Orange, £85. www.vam.ac.uk www.liberty.co.uk

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Textile artist, Jane Clowes was chosen to take part in

a three month Artist in Residence programme in

Mino, Japan. Artists from various disciplines were

invited to create works using traditional Mino washi

(paper). Whilst there Jane was inspired by the

intricate art of Shibori and began treating the paper

like a fabric, using similar tie-dying techniques. Her

resulting ‘paper shibori’ pieces are quiet reflections

on Japanese culture.

www.jpf.go.jp www.janeclowes.com

SeethebeautifulorganicartofKazuhito Tak ado i,m ade usin gma terials grown inhisga rden These charming illustrated people cushions from kstudio are available in organic cotton, hemp and felt

in a range of shades and stitch colours. The four year old eco-friendly company was founded by

mother and daughter Shelly and Mary Klein. Artist Shelly uses imagery from her paintings in her

stitch designs and Mary handles the business and manufacturing details. Working together from a

studio attached to Shelly’s house, they make the perfect team. www.kstudiohome.com

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andinspir edby the woodlandsofhisbirthplaceinJapan.DaiwaFoundation,until19Marchwww.dajf.org.uk

Hut up! No, it’s not a mispelt rebuke but Christine Birkle’s fabulous felt emporium. The contemporary, handcrafted accessories, playful figures and animals are traditionally shaped from raw wool and make adorable Easter gifts. Available from object catalogue www.selvedge.org

Memory and touch It is said that 'to touch is also to be touched'. In a world where we seek to control and intellectualise our surroundings, textural experience is subjugated and often lost. In response to this, the distinguished Japanese designer, Kenya Hara developed the concept of haptic design. To coincide with the opening of his ground-breaking exhibition at RIBA in May, University College for the Creative Arts have organised a conference, ‘Memory and Touch’, which will explore the symbolic, cultural, social and technical aspects of textural intelligence and sensory communication.

Memory and Touch: an exploration of textural communication,

Royal Institute of British Architects, Portland Place, London W1,

7 May 10-5, to book contact Lesley Millar T: 01372 202450,

www.transitionandinfluence.com

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