#meadham kirchoff

[mode-genesis]

The Legacy of Meadham Kirchhoff

by MODE GENESIS

Known for their outrageous interloping of romanticism and rebellion, Meadham Kirchoff had become an iconic brand in the early to mid-2000s. The brand was founded by designers Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchoff, both graduates from Central Saint Martins, which gained fame through its extravagant expression of whimsicality. An interview by Glamcult with Kirchoff verbalizes how he designs from instinct in a state of “aborted happiness,” and both feel the fashion industry is “based on a repetition of ideas, often aimed at product placement.”

Their inspirations ranging from Victorian dolls to Courtney Love lookalikes in the SS 2012 show, the duo expressed a fresh approach to fashion which became one of the signatures of their brand identity.

Each show transported you into a carefully crafted almost theatrical performance with scent, visuals, light, and music accompanying. Their rebellious spirit brought new design innovation through patchwork dresses in velvet and leather, stacked glittering platform shoes, and a runway decorated with what looked like blood-dipped tampons. Each piece in their collection was carefully made through tailoring research and using techniques such as Elizabethan lacework. The handwork which came in forms of hand embroidery showed in garments in almost all seasons, and detailed construction of each piece became a standard for the brand

Although their womenswear lines achieved most of the media attention, their menswear emerged as out of the ordinary on the London scene. The collections set the direction of modern-day menswear, anticipating the arrival of gender-fluid casting and boy-meets-girl styling. One of their final shows, SS 15, was reclaimed as a celebration of different bodies, genders, and races. The use of rubber, chiffon, color, and layered drapery was an ode to the liberation they stand for. They were chosen as LVMH Young Fashion Designers but weren’t included as finalists so in their show notes they elaborated, “Fuck LVMH corporate fashion,” which is admirable considering the nature of the fashion industry, LVMH, and celebrity culture. As a Dazed article states, “Because fashion doesn’t just have to be about seasonal trends; it can, at its best, be a broader reflection of society, and like riot grrl, BodyMap, Westwood, and Leigh Bowery before them, Meadham Kirchhoff is making clothes for the people they love: the dykes, fags, slappers, and freaks.”

The brand met its demise when most of their clothes they were making weren’t sellable; the market was too niche, and production costs of garments became too high. While it was believed for Meadham Kirchoff as a whole for their clothes to be either too expensive or costume-like, critics praised them, and many designers looked at them as an inspiration. As a Dazed Article states, “They were showing detailed lace on par and on time with the wonders that Alexander McQueen was showing on its runway. Some have even likened the brand’s jackets—particularly from years ago—as foreshadowing those that made Christophe Decarnin a star at Balmain.”

Most of the brand’s pieces have been long lost, as the archive was taken by their landlord and sold in 2015, leaving only pictures and memories of what once was. Since the brand shut down, the duo has gone on separate paths. Meadham launched a new label called Blue Roses, and Kirchoff has become a stylist and menswear consultant. While Meadham Kirchoff could not have survived in the corporate fashion world, they live on as a martyr of sorts through their fun, cheeky, whimsical yet rebellious spirit, which inspires the future of the industry and may even have been ahead of its time.

References:

[heartistolovewith]

“Glow” c. 2021 by Daniel Keys

Meadham Kirchoff AW14 photography by Rosaline Shahnavaz

[bonafideangel]

I am raffling off this beautiful bodice by uk design duo Meadham Kirchhoff with all proceeds going to The Advocacy Academy! http://www.theadvocacyacademy.com/#about-us  tickets to enter are 5 pound per person though any donations above said minimum price accepted!, please donate here: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8qH7Iq6pqB <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<and I will be announcing the winner next week! This super rare piece is from their S/S13 collection show, bought at a sample sale but barely worn! size 8, silk inside with pretty blue hand threaded detailing! Even if sizing rules out wear-age for you archive pieces like this go for quite a bit re-sold on ebay depop etc as there's little by these guys going around any more ! (og retail price at 150 pounds!) Please enter reblog and share with anyone you think might or might not be interested :) so I can raise as much as possible luvs!!!!!! check my instagram for updates @opheliahorton 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCd-OtjpBXJ/ 

[taylorswiftkingdom]

[bubblegum-gun]

I put together all the photos I can find from that Meadham Kirchoff runaway with the pastel Courtneys. <3

[daisyslippers]

Meadham Kirchoff 2013

[fairydata]

meadham kirchoff

[desperateangel]

Backstage @ Meadham Kirchoff SS12 RTW

[empirewaistlines]

[icecreamdeathmuseum]

Meadham Kirchoff

[driflloon]

meadham kirchoff fw12

[thedeadbelle]

A model photographed by Rosaline Shahnavaz at Meadham Kirchoff Autumn/Winter 2014

[s3sam3syrup]

Meadham Kirchoff A/W14 Carnival photographed by Rosaline Shahnavaz

[aperfumedpearl]

Meadham Kirchoff

[linz0611]

Meadham Kirchhoff For Topshop ❤ liked on Polyvore

[wellofmissouri]

I saw the 'Meadham Kirchoff's f/w 2014' post a few days ago and thought she had a passing resemblance to you.

<3