Blanc Magazine

Blanc is a creative platform that presents a diverse and underrepresented perspective of the fashion, art and music world. We are a biannual print magazine showcasing a variety of talent both established and undiscovered from various countries across the world. [email protected]

[blancmagazine]

Gentle Monster, whose company philosophy is “Innovational High-End Experiments” has just unveiled it’s latest impressive collaboration. In addition to collaborating on the design of the Collection, the brand’s muse Actress and Performance Artist Tilda Swinton also stars in the campaign shoot and accompanying short film shot and directed by Erik Madigan Heck. Find out more about this genius Collaboration and resulting Collection http://bit.ly/2m0ujKT

[blancmagazine]

Chelsea Wolfe – After The Fall

Enveloping us in an ethereal composition, Chelsea Wolfe reinvigorates our minds with her new, erratic yet sensual masterpiece ‘After The Fall’. Confiding in us with verse after verse of effortlessly smooth, soothing vocals, before disrupting sweet musical serenity with bone crunching synths that reverberate with an apocalyptic aggression that manages to dwarf the production of some of the world’s best contemporary electronica.  Teetering for a brief moment on a break of mechanical footsteps, as if to build momentum while regaining her balance, before releasing burst after burst of sonic live rounds deep into our cores. Enrapturing us with the final blow of her acoustic marvel. If this latest release is anything to go by, we can only help but foresee Wolfe’s masterful offerings dominating the playlists of Generation-Y in the not so distant future!            

[blancmagazine]

Michael Fullerton

Using his art as a platform to celebrate some of the world’s foremost social commentators. Michael Fullerton creates, along with sculptures and screen prints, intriguing works of contemporary portraiture. Which, while creating an underlying political narrative, explore the relationship between subject and aesthetic. Drawing upon the creative styling’s of 18th century British artists to create an impressionistic approach to portraiture that is as honest in appearance as it is impassioned.        

[blancmagazine]

AENEA

Taking their name from the ancient Greek word for ‘praise’, Viennese fine jewellers Aenea create elegant yet witty works which breach the gap between classic and contemporary. Merging elements of traditional artisanship and modern design as they craft cohesive collections of men’s and women’s necklaces, bracelets and rings. Honouring the houses core mantric words: courage, devotion and happiness, as they showcase the finest forms and materials through their impeccable level of craftsmanship.  

[blancmagazine]

Sandy Liang – AW15

With her collections aesthetic being eclectic to say the least, fledgling New York designer Sandy Liang welcomes us into her wonderful mind for the forthcoming Autumn/Winter season. Drawing upon all the best elements of contemporary and 70’s fashion to create a range synonymous of the ‘Cool Girl’. Who, whilst renouncing the ‘Fashion Bitch’ label, still shows an avid enthusiasm for the trends that surround her. Up-cycling everything from flared jeans and rock and roll staples like the biker jacket through the introduction of more quirky textiles such as coloured furs on … well, on pretty much any outerwear Liang could get her hands on.

It is also notable to mention that a British classic, and personal favourite of ours, the MA1 bomber has also had a makeover, moving in accordance with the collections spirit of reinvention. And has, this time, been elongated to create a ‘long-line’ silhouette, crated from beautiful, off white satin.  

[blancmagazine]

Panca

When considering Tijuana, after copious amounts of drugs and alcohol, art would be the last thing to spring to anyone’s mind. But infamously elusive ‘donkey shows’ and said donkeys painted like zebras aside, the Mexican/American boarder city seems to be harbouring an absolute creative gem. Her name? Panca!

With all this considered, the works of Paola ‘Panca’ Villasenor are every bit as vibrant and immersive as her city of origin. Choosing to work predominantly through the non-traditional medium of street art, Panca creates mesmerizing large-scale murals and illustrations. Which, whilst captivating through their striking use of saturated colour, transport the viewer to the lucidly nightmarish visions of the artist mind. Drawing us into an acid trip realm, where torment and disfigurement are the norm and all is not what it seems!  

[blancmagazine]

Helen Lawrence – AW15

Graduating with an MA from London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins school of arts and with two consecutive seasons with Fashion East under her belt, emerging maverick Helen Lawrence is back for AW15 and she’s at it again. And take it from us, knitwear has never looked so good!

Reviving her experimental approach to knitwear design, Lawrence has managed to elevate her craft to the next level. Working with a concise palette of contrasting lambs wool and elasticated yarns to create a unique “bobbled” silhouette. Which draw inspiration from the quizzical, grandiose sculptural works of Phyillida Barlow. Channelling elements of the artists practice through the collections voluminously abstract, worn aesthetic. Which in turn has created what we can only assume to be a new street style favourite.

[blancmagazine]

Gwilym Gold

It is a rare occurrence to stumble across a musician whose work couldn’t be described as anything other than cinematic. But with his non-traditional approach to lyricism and music production and with a sensually dreamy sonic aesthetic, Gwilym Gold creates soundscapes which are just that, aural cinema. And his latest offering ‘Flux’, is no exception.

Driven by the steady patter of mechanical heartbeats, Gold’s chimerical score is bought to life. Systematically building his narrative with layer upon layer of sound, before his dreamlike soundscape ceases to continue as it reaches its abrupt climax.

[blancmagazine]

Louis-Bernard St-Jean

Reimagining nature through his bold visual aesthetic, self taught contemporary artist Louis-Bernard St-Jean builds panel upon panel of oil paint to create striking linear compositions. Working his painted medium in such a way to imitate an almost natural sense of depth, structure and motion, as seen through the abstract lens of the figurative. Using his craft to create a grandiose interpretation of the natural world, whilst incorporating elements of the artificial, through frequent reference to architecture and urbanity. Pushing beyond the foundational themes on which his work is built, to create a truly potent and emotive visual.        

[blancmagazine]

Givenchy – AW15

Following the announcement of Donatella Versace as the official face of their AW15 campaign, in which the brand chose to cast off the constraints of the “old system” and instead move in favor of a more familial approach to fashion. French super-brand Givenchy have teamed up once again with legendary photography duo Mert & Markus. Breathing new life into the gothic tale of Mexican gang warfare that premiered at their runway 6 months ago.  Calling to arms a squadron of Riccardo Tisci’s most favored muses, to form their regiments within the decadent setting of an English country manor and create a visual that is both tactically placed and devastatingly beautiful.    

[blancmagazine]

Asli Polat – AW15

Loosing us amidst the vast swathes of faux fur and dainty Tatterstall check textiles, Asli Polat presents a more formal take on feminine flair for AW15. Mixing one part country bumpkin with a whole heap of street-wise city slicker and seductive knight owl, in order to create a collection that just exudes confidence and godly prowess. Maintaining a sense of modesty through generous silhouettes, which work perfectly as standalone statement pieces due to the collections use of embroidery and chiffon detailing, or as part of an on trend layered ensemble.      

[blancmagazine]

Sophia Egarchos

With marriage equality FINALY being passed in the United States and with London’s Gay Pride parade in full swing, we here at Blanc are choosing to celebrate the feats and celebrations of the gay community by flying our shimmering rainbow via the stunning painted works of Sophia Egarchos. While lacking a confetti cannon and nowhere near as glittery as we would like on this momentous weekend, Egarchos’ pieces channel the same jubilant ecstaticism as we are currently collectively feeling. Exploring the existence of the two-dimensional in relation to the three-dimensional existence as she elates our senses in a wash of gloriously vibrant colour.  

[blancmagazine]

Delacier – Asperity

Drawing inspiration from the abstract expressionist aesthetic of Jackson Pollock’s legendary drip painting technique, Hungarian accessories brand Delacier have crafted a collection as beautifully severe as its title. Comprised of harsh geometric and columnal silhouettes, the range incorporates everything from bold pendants and neck cuffs to harshly constructed body braces, with each piece as beautiful and as unforgiving as the next. Warping the collections primary material, steel, through systematically “gesture-welding” whole areas of the raw material. Disfiguring it to create unique globular patterns that work to re-contextualize Pollock’s Iconic imagery.  

[blancmagazine]

Foxes – ‘Body Talk’

Ahead of the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album, due for release later this year via Sony Music, British alt-pop act Foxes aka Louisa Rose Allen whets our appetites with the albums lead single ‘Body Talk’. Joining forces with welsh producer-songwriter Jim Eliot to bring us a synth-laden marvel that just oozes eighties cool. Providing us with a perfect addition to all of our ‘summer jams’ playlists.  

[blancmagazine]

Rebecca Gilbert

With her work centering around the inherent symbolism displayed within the natural world, contemporary visual artist Rebecca Gilbert hardwires nature into her practice as if by symbiosis. Using natural implements such as wood, to create earthy prints, shadowboxes and sculptural installations. While intentionally using a sparse palette of colour to create a naturalistic visual dialogue in relation to organics and their association to humanities primal desires.    

[blancmagazine]

Natalia Sushchenko – ‘Demo’

Inspired by the limitless creative potential of the late 90’s ‘Demoscene’ masterminds, whose visual art form pitted computer generated graphics against the latest music and audio effects. Barcelona based Natalia Sushchenko merges wearable functionality with striking conceptualism for AW15. Crafting a collection that manages to continually reference the underground subculture through its unique use of strikingly original, digital prints and abstract hemlines on crop tops and skirts. Injecting a predominantly blue and monochrome colour palette with a vibrant array of pixelated hues in order to translate the visionary practice of the technological genii into a striking collection of women’s wear.  

[blancmagazine]

Rob Elford – 90 Seconds To Sell Yourself

We are but puppets chained to paper strings, laced to the hands of our faceless masters. Pulled to the rhythm of a corporate game as we mindlessly dance to the sound of our pay packets. Our fingers tapping on the keys of our keyboards. Choosing to ignore, our hands like shovels, as we continue digging the pit of our draconian nightmare. Trapped in the hole of the 9-5.

Contemporary British jeweler Rob Elford explores a neo-dystopian vision of the modern capitalist monopoly of the western world this season. Embracing the bleakness of contemporary consumerist culture as he expands his experimental approach to jewelry design. Combining three core techniques; laser cutting and 3D scanning and printing, to breathe life into his macabre depiction of the corporate world. Distorting 3D scans of London’s workingmen and women to create the dark, graphic silhouettes that adorn his beautifully torturous designs.