In summer 2014 Ram Place Fashion Market opened in the heart of Hackney and saw designers, artists, traders and performers come together to celebrate London youth fashion. A unique programme combined performance, talks, food, gigs and workshops alongside retail stalls from leading east London designers.
The market took inspiration from The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, the largest retrospective ever to be staged of Gaultier’s work. Jean Paul Gaultier’s designs have long been influenced by youth culture and demonstrate his deep understanding of the issues and preoccupations of today’s multicultural society. Socially and ethnically diverse communities in London and Paris have provided particular inspiration for his work and the project aimed to place London youth fashion back into an international context.
The market stall holders were a mix of local emergent and celebrated designers including Jelka Quintelier, Arlette, Kelly Shaw and Meihui Liu alongside highly skilled craftspeople such as Sebastian Tarek, Sahar Freemantle and Queenie and Ted who gave demonstrations of their work. The event space hosted a programme of performances, talks and workshops with artists, photographers and fashion industry professionals including designer James Long, film-maker Kathryn Ferguson, and performance artist The Divine David.
Evening events included talks, discussions, live music and performance. The market was opened on Saturday 12 July 2014 by VOGUE GOES ROGUE, a procession of fashion totems created by Lyall Hakaraia, fashion designer, stylist and promoter of east London’s disco basement Vogue Fabrics.
Hackney’s own Railroad cafe ran the onsite kitchen, serving up delicious BBQ fare and salad boxes, cakes and cordials each day, while Mare Street favourite Rita’s provided cocktails into the evening.
Organised in partnership with Barbican and inspired by the Barbican exhibition, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.