Tag Archive: London Fashion Week

1. White Light dazzles on the runway for London Fashion Week’s finest

   27 February 2020 14:19 Leave a Comment

   

   As London Fashion Week recently returned for new season collection launches, technical production specialist White Light (WL) once again delivered full support to some of its most eagerly anticipated catwalk shows.

   The Tanks at Tate Modern housed the Tommy Hilfiger x Lewis Hamilton show, which saw models including the Formula One driver himself and Naomi Campbell unveil the new season’s looks. Bureau Betak directed the whole creation and production of the show while WL provided under their direction a large lighting and power distribution system to transform the industrial, blank-canvas spaces. The WL team of 16 was led onsite by Lighting Crew Chief, Alan Fotheringhame, supported by WL Senior Account Manager, Dominic Yates.

   

   Over 400 moving lights and more than 350 LED fixtures were utilised to enhance the runway. These included, 114 x Varilite VL2600 profiles, 148 x Chauvet Rogue R1 FX-B moving heads, 100 x Robe 150 Beams and 80 x Astera Titan Tubes. The rig was driven by 4 x Grand MA2 Consoles.

   Another high-profile event saw Preen By Thornton Bregazzi launch their Autumn Winter 2020 collection at Church House Westminster, produced by creative agency Pretty Bird. The dome-shaped Assembly Hall provided a stylish backdrop for the runway and WL worked closely with Satore Studio and Lighting Designer, Muly Yechezkel, supplying all lighting, rigging and power distribution. The key equipment specification included 94 x Source 4 Profiles, 48 x Astera Titan Tubes and 13 x SGM P5 Flood fixtures.

   Muly comments: “White Light has always been a great partner to have on such projects, providing a reliably high standard of professional support from the initial planning and throughout. White Light consistently delivers on superior technical quality and a slick installation, which is very important for this type of job”. 

   Dominic adds: “London Fashion Week always sees our team deliver multiple shows in a very diverse range of venues. Our expertise in fashion events and experience in transforming different spaces, hugely adds to what can be achieved with production to transform venues and bring the designers’ collections to life.”

   Further shows delivered by WL during London Fashion Week included Victoria Beckham at Banqueting House, produced by Gainsbury&Whiting; Simone Rocha at Lancaster House produced by Karla Otto and Molly Goddard, produced by Blonstein at Central Hall Westminster.

2. White Light is on trend again for London Fashion Week

   25 September 2019 15:33 Leave a Comment

   

   For the ninth consecutive year, White Light has worked closely with a range of agency clients to deliver the production solutions for multiple catwalk shows during September fashion week.

   The Spring/Summer 2020 collections for designers including Julien Macdonald, Simone Rocha, Preen, Roland Mouret and Zara Home were showcased across the capital, with WL providing lighting, audio and rigging support.  Venues ranging from The Mail Centre and National Centre for Circus Arts, to the Royal Academy of Arts and Southwark Cathedral were transformed for the shows.

   

   Dominic Yates, Senior Account Manager at WL, comments: “We always work on a diverse selection of events during London Fashion Week and this year was no exception. In conjunction with long-standing clients at My Beautiful City, Karla Otto, Pretty Bird and Gainsbury and Whiting, we delivered seven very different shows.”

   Kim Carbonari, Director of Event Production at Karla Otto, says: “Lighting is a crucially important element of successful catwalk shows and as we are working on behalf of internationally-acclaimed designers, this has to be executed seamlessly. We have worked with WL for many years now and always know that in their expert hands, we can achieve the perfect look to complement the designers’ creations.”

   Photos © alexei_bez and giampietrobaudo

3. White Light Supplies DELPOZO Catwalk Show at London Fashion Week

   19 March 2018 11:38 Comments Off on White Light Supplies DELPOZO Catwalk Show at London Fashion Week

   After five years of showing in New York, Spanish label Delpozo, known for its couture-like dresses, recently presented their latest collection at London Fashion Week. The move was aimed at activating the brand’s London boutique which opened last June on Sloane Street. Much of the collection was inspired by water lilies and lotus flowers found in an unpublished edition of National Geographic from the 1930s. The show took place at The Royal Institute of British Architects, a reflection of Creative Director Josep Font’s architectural background and the influence this has on the clothing he displays on the catwalk. White Light was asked by Producers OBO London to team up with lighting designer Alexandre Lebrun from LightLab to create an unforgettable event.

   Based in London and Paris, LightLab regularly works with OBO during the London and Paris Fashion weeks. Aurélie Nedjar, Studio LightLab’s Producer, comments: “We are always happy to work with WL and have done so on several occasions now. It’s a pleasure to deal with the same committed team through different events and shows. They know how we work and have always been available, reactive and accommodating”. With over 20 years’ experience within the live event industry, LightLab pushed the boundaries of creativity and imagination in order to create a fully immersive experience on this event.

   Aurélie explains: “I worked closely with Alexandre to establish his lighting concepts through lighting plots, 3D visualisation and equipment lists. I was responsible for following up OBO’s creative proposals and any updates from the first site visit to the final stage. Alexandre drove the focus and programming on site, making sure the brief was respected but also bringing his own ‘touch’ and look. One main concern for Alexandre was to achieve homogeneous lighting, removing the risk of any gaps in its intensity and providing the photographers and video teams with the lighting they required.”

   The client wanted a daylight wash and discreet rigging to highlight the beauty of the space and avoid any reflections of scaffolding in a mirrored box which was placed in the centre of the space. A team of nine was headed-up by WL’s Senior Account Manager Dominic Yates and Senior Project Manager Martin Strods who turned the design concept into reality. This included bringing in a range of rigged lighting; anticipating any footprint, weight or rigging point problems within the space. Working in collaboration with Studio LightLab’s team, they successfully overcame any venue technical constraints whilst, at the same time, delivering the event on time and on budget. They also provided a state-of-the-art sound system to support the show.

   Aurélie comments: “Our excellent relationship with WL always allows us to make even the trickiest lighting concepts possible”.

   Photos courtesy of Ben Broomfield.

    

4. White Light Delivers Fashion Hong Kong Show at Somerset House

   6 March 2018 15:20 Comments Off on White Light Delivers Fashion Hong Kong Show at Somerset House

   

   On the evening of 16^th February, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council organised the Fashion Hong Kong Show and Cocktail Reception at London’s Somerset House. With more than 600 people in attendance, this included several celebrities such as Mathew Anderson, CEO of British designer label Jenny Packham. Being an approved supplier at Somerset House, along with working on several shows across London Fashion Week, White Light was called upon to provide the technical solutions.

   The event was produced by My Beautiful City – a full service creative agency that offers end-to-end support across art direction, concept creation and event production. For over ten years, they have worked with some of the world’s most talented designers to bring their collections to life at numerous exhibitions. They have also worked closely with WL across several London Fashion Weeks.

   WL’s Senior Account Manager Dominic Yates comments: “We have a strong working relationship with My Beautiful City, which goes back many years, and they called upon us once again for this high-profile event”.

   The leading brands Heaven Please+, House of V, Methodology and Maison Vermillion were selected by the British Fashion Council to participate in the event, part of an ongoing initiative by the HKTDC to give international exposure to Hong Kong-based designers and brands. This was the first time the showcase took place in London, having previously travelled to New York, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Shanghai and Singapore.

   Dominic explains: “As part of the technical support, we supplied uplighters, a sound system, bespoke lighting, along with mains distribution. We also had a crew of four technicians on site to ensure that the entire event ran smoothly”.

   Alongside its strong working relationship with My Beautiful City, another reason as to why WL was approached to work on the show was due to the company’s extensive knowledge and experience of working in Somerset House.

   Dominic comments: “As an approved supplier to the Unique Venues of London, we frequently work in Somerset House. Over the past year alone, we’ve worked on a variety of events there including the Matalan SS17 Launch, the Now Play Interactive Exhibition along with the Alison Brooks Architects 21^st birthday. Each one had its own unique brief, similar to the Fashion Hong Kong Show”.

   The Fashion Hong Kong Show took place in the River Rooms at Somerset House which are a versatile suite of rooms situated in the New Wing, with a creative and raw aesthetic. This open plan space retains some original features including dramatic original fireplaces and exposed brick archways, making the rooms perfectly suited for fashion events.

   Dominic concludes: “When you have such an intimate knowledge of the venue as we do, you are able to bring this experience to the client and ensure that each space is used as creatively as possible; allowing each event to achieve its potential”.

   Photos courtesy of Neil Mason Photography.

    

5. White Light Joins Ben Sherman On the Catwalk

   16 January 2018 12:00 Comments Off on White Light Joins Ben Sherman On the Catwalk

   Last week saw the start of London Fashion Week Men’s Autumn/Winter 2018 Show. 2018 marks the 11^th season of the biannual celebration of British menswear and this year had more shows than ever before. One of these included the fashion label Ben Sherman who showcased their new Fall collection which was a collaboration with fashion designer Henry Holland. White Light provided the complete technical solutions for the showcase.

   The Ben Sherman showcase took place at Somerset House on 5^th January. WL was approached by JN Productions and the event was led by WL’s Creative Producer Richard Stirzaker. Richard comments: “We have worked at the London Fashion Week for over a decade now and know what is required for international launches such as this. The theme of the new collection was Northern Soul culture and a large part of our brief was providing technical support that reflected this”.

   WL had to transform the Somerset House Embankment Galleries into a space suitable for a catwalk. Not only that but the company had to accommodate the immersive elements of the evening. Richard comments: “Rather than just launch the new collection with a catwalk display, the client wanted to create an immersive experience; perpetuating the Northern Soul theme. This included dancers who opened the show along with a Northern Soul soundtrack that relayed throughout the space”.

   WL drew on its state-of-the-art audio inventory to provide sound reinforcement throughout. This was also used for the soundscape in the main space along with the Gallery downstairs. Richard explains: “When guests first arrived, they walked through the downstairs gallery where there were large image prints which reflected the brand identity and reinforced the theme of the collection. We also sourced the scenic elements along with the staging for the models as they entered the Raphael Gallery”.

   As with any fashion show, lighting played an extremely important role. Richard explains: “The lighting played several important roles for this showcase. Firstly, it had to serve a primary purpose of illuminating the space and ensuring that it would be suitable for a fashion launch. Secondly, we wanted to use the lighting to differentiate the various points of the evening; from the audience entrance to the dancers to the actual models themselves”.

   Alongside this WL also projected a video of the launch onto the interior of the Embankment Gallery.

   Richard adds: “What was great about the Ben Sherman showcase was that it was able to draw on everything we can offer as a company: lighting, audio, video and staging. We were able to work closely with a very high-profile client and deliver the exact technical solutions they required”.

   The Ben Sherman launch marks one of several shows that WL is working on at this year’s London Fashion Week.

   Photos courtesy of JN Production.

6. White Light Returns to London Fashion Week 2017

   5 October 2017 13:26 Comments Off on White Light Returns to London Fashion Week 2017

   London Fashion Week made a triumphant return to the capital last month. Taking place between 15 – 19^th September, London Fashion Week showcases the very best in British design with catwalk shows, presentations, designer showrooms and a range of bespoke events. The Week was held in prestigious venues all across London and WL was called upon once again to provide the technical support on a range of events.

   WL has worked on London Fashion Week for more than ten years now. This year was one of the busiest yet, featuring more than 100 designers including Giorgio Armani, who was holding a catwalk event for the first time in London for more than ten years.

   WL worked on a variety of events across the week; all of which were overseen by Senior Account Manager Dominic Yates. He comments: “London Fashion Week is always a fantastic event to work on, due to the fact that it is so high-profile and the entire fashion world is watching. Working closely with WL’s Head of Production Stuart Crane and Senior Project Manager Martin Strods, we wanted to ensure that we provided the very best support possible and that each showcase achieved its potential.

   Dominic adds: “We worked with a range of lighting designers on a variety of shows; each of whom had a very particular feel that they were trying to achieve. Our role was to offer the equipment and technical advice both in the pre-rig stages and during the show’s themselves”.

   Some of the events that WL worked on included Joseph at Bloomsbury B1. The show was produced by OBO with a lighting design by Alexandre Lebrun. Alexandre drew on a large range of generic fixtures to achieve his design, including Selecon Fresnels and ETC Source 4 Profiles and Pars.

   Another includes the Simone Rocha showcase which took place at the historic Middle Temple Hall, where WL is an approved technical supplier. The iconic fashion label presented its new collection in a showcase produced by Karlo Otto and featuring a lighting design by Tupac Matir. Dominic adds: “With the Simone Rocha showcase, we supplied a combination of GLP Impression X4 RGBW LED, GLP Impression X4 Bar 20s and ETC Source Fours. We also supplied the audio for this show drawing on our range of EM Acoustics loud speakers, and a Yamaha QL1 for control.”

   Other events that WL worked on throughout London Fashion Week include Natasha Zinko at Somerset House, Alistair James at Fitzrovia Chapel, Gucci at 180 The Strand, DAKS at The Langham and the COS Party at the National Gallery.

   Dominic adds: “This year’s London Fashion Week was extremely busy and saw us working in multiple venues across the capital; a lot of the time simultaneously. That said, our extensive equipment inventory and technical staff ensured that every event we worked on ran extremely smooth and we look forward to returning once again next year”.

   It’s been an exciting few months for WL’s Production team, with the appointment of Caz Caddick as Crew Co-ordinator, Martin Strods as Senior Project Manager and Harry Greenfield and Steve Burnham as Account Managers. The team has also appointed Rachel Condon as a dedicated Account Handler to manage the department’s internal kit logistics. WL’s Head of Production Stuart Crane comments: “We’ve added five highly-skilled and passionate individuals to our already established team. We want to ensure our clients continue to receive the very best service possible and the growth of our Production team will ensure that this happens on every single project”.

   Photos courtesy of Martin Strods.

7. White Light Returns to London Fashion Week 2017

   23 February 2017 09:30 Comments Off on White Light Returns to London Fashion Week 2017

   Largely considered as one of the most important events in the fashion industry, London Fashion Week returned to the capital last week in what was its 65^th edition. Taking place in a range of venues across the city, the event saw 170 designers showcase their latest collections and set the trends for the upcoming season. Following its work on previous Fashion Weeks, WL was once again called upon to provide the complete technical solutions on a variety of shows.

   London Fashion Week 2017 took place from 17^th – 21^st February. The showcases that WL worked on were overseen by Senior Account Manager Dominic Yates and Project Manager Martin Strods. Dominic adds: “Having worked on over ten London Fashion Weeks now, we are fully aware of the incredibly high expectations. With such large global coverage, including the millions watching via online streaming, we wanted to provide the various events with the best technical support possible”.

   WL collaborated with a variety of companies who were producing showcases across the four days. These included My Beautiful City who produced launches for Emilia Wickstead at Central St Martins and Julien Macdonald at Goldsmiths’ Hall. Dominic comments: “Both showcases had very different feels as both designers offer very unique styles. Therefore it was a case of working closely with the lighting designer Robert Jones to ensure that we provided the equipment to help fulfil his brief”.

   

   WL also worked closely with INCA Productions who oversaw Daks at the Langham Hotel, Ports 1961 at Victoria House and Temperley London at the Old Banking Hall.  Dominic adds: “What’s exciting about London Fashion Week is the fact that you are able to work in so many amazing locations. As a result, this means you have to create set-ups that are bespoke to each venue, whether it’s the extravagant surroundings of the Langham or  somewhere as historic as the Goldsmiths’ Hall”.

   WL also supplied the technical solutions for the National Heart Foundation Fund Fair that was held at the Roundhouse and was also produced by INCA productions. Similarly, the company supported the Simone Rocha Showcase at Lancaster House, where the Fashion Awards winner presented her new collection.

   The London Fashion Week has now finished after entertaining over 5,000 guests from over 49 countries who attended 51 catwalk shows.

   Dominic adds: “We had another extremely successful year at London Fashion Week, supplying a plethora of shows; all of which were very well received. As a company, we have established ourselves as an organisation who can draw on both its experience and resources to supply any fashion show with the exact technical solutions it requires”.

   Photos courtesy of Alan Fortheringhame, Dominic Yates and INCA Productions.