We were delighted to have the second speaker in our series of talks on ‘pure and applied’ design be pioneering designer Helen Storey.
Helen is a fascinating subject as she has been a success in the world of fashion, art and science. It is indeed the cross-over and interaction between these disciplines which is the focus and interest of so much of her work.
In Conversation with… Helen Storey from Susie Stone Bespoke Womenswear on Vimeo.
We began the discussion with Helen’s entry into the fashion world with an instinct for experimentation and good design which led her to Valentino. She then moved to Belleville Sassoon where she cites as being allowed to truly find her fashion ‘voice’ and was encouraged by mentor David Sassoon to draw in her own style and be expressive. Before long and inspired by young designers of the 1980s such as Bodymap Helen began her successful eponymous label and gained the title of Most Innovative Designer Of The Year in 1991.
In the mid-90s Helen began to explore her thirst for a more scientific creative challenge which resulted in a series of projects exploring the fields of biology, chemistry and neuroscience beginning with ‘Primitive Streak’ – the creation of a fashion collection that explained the first 1000 hours of human life.
It was clear from our discussion that this was a turning point in her work and almost a liberation from the set confines of designing with just commercial in mind.
This project led to many more collaborations between the world of art and science culminating in the Helen Storey Foundation, a non-profit arts organisation promoting innovation in many different fields which continues to be a leader in creative progression to this day.
This foundation allows Helen to work and collaborate on projects that cross the boundaries between art and science. We discussed how people are streamed into specialised subjects and set ways of thinking from an early age which actually limit their capacity to tackle problems in both design and science in the most holistic way.
We were incredibly lucky to finish the evening with an exclusive preview of a video of Helen’s latest project which exemplifies what happens when art and science collide with a view to bettering the world in which we live. Helen is creating catalytic , whereby the we wear utilise their vast surface area by being treated with a catalyst that purifies the air around us. The sheer innovation, positivity and ingenuity that surrounds this idea was an inspiration to all of us there and a reminder that anything is possible when you open your mind to new and creative ways of thinking, be they artistic or scientific.
To find out more about Helen’s lastest project please visit the website and ‘Like’ her page on Facebook here.
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