A platform to showcase fashion's future rising stars and known for launching careers of the likes of Stella McCartney and Julien MacDonald, this year's GFW attracted over 25,000 guests, hosted 20 catwalk shows and showcased over 40 talented universities.
The annual event, in its 23rd year, made the move to the edgier East End, deciding on the Old Truman Brewery as its new venue. Blackout's experienced rigging and draping team were called in to install two catwalk structures; one using ground supported truss and the other flown using 10 half ton motors.
"The two catwalks were held in completely difference spaces, Catwalk A was upstairs in a much lighter room with skylights and Catwalk B was located on the ground floor," explained Blackout's project manager, Chris Brain.
"Both rooms required different approaches to ensure they were ready for the shows. Upstairs we blacked out the skylights using a white material as this was more in-keeping with the set and building. Catwalk B faces Brick lane and so we blacked out all the windows to stop people being able to see in, which also worked to minimise any light getting through. It was vital that we dressed the rooms in line with the industrial, clean-cut look of the show and enhanced the lighting effects for the production."
Blackout also created the backstage areas for changing and hair and makeup using 400m of pipe and drape, and built a bespoke ground support structure which held up the entrance archway that met guests on arrival.
(Jim Evans)
