Organised by the British Fashion Council, this landmark event takes place at Somerset House with the Designer Exhibition spread across four floors of this historic building. The exhibition showcases over 200 designers including established names such as Erickson Beamon, Angel Jackson and Beatrix Ong as well as emerging talents like LF Markey and Georgia Hardinge.
Point Source Productions and Fine Art Lighting were brought on board by Blonstein & Associates following a successful collaboration between the two companies over a recent installation for All Visual Arts at One Marylebone, London.
"Blonstein & Associates were impressed by the lighting we had provided for the exhibition of up and coming artists at One Marylebone," explains Rupert Barth von Wehrenalp, "and asked us to participate in London Fashion Week as a result."
Wehrenalp returned to Point Source Productions to provide the essential equipment necessary to transform the five main areas of Somerset House into adaptable spaces which would accommodate the pivotal event of the Designer Exhibition.
"Because of the large number of exhibitors and variety of exhibits - which included jewellery, shoes and other accessories in addition to designer clothing - we needed to design and supply a package that was multi-functional," explains Point Source Productions managing director, Stephen Capel.
"We provided each of the 200 exhibitors with a number of Fresnels and birdies to give a good general lighting cover within each space and create ambient lighting in keeping with the designer looks within. We also factored in an allowance which gave us the ability to pick out key pieces within each collection.
"After our initial set up, we then spent two days working with each exhibitor on an individual basis, tailoring the lighting so that it would show their work to the best advantage."
In addition to this mammoth, time-bound task, Point Source Productions and Fine Art Lighting also undertook a complete relight for London Fashion Weekend (25-28 February). Billed as "the capital's essential fashion and shopping event" the sister event sees the doors thrown open to the public and a completely new set of exhibitors - including DKNY Jeans, PPQ, Luella, Juicy Couture and Sass & Bide. Point Source Productions not only relit all existing exhibition spaces, but also transformed the Portico Rooms into additional exhibition space for the 4 days.
Finally, over 14 tonnes of clothes rails and shelving units were installed in the East Wing and Embankment Galleries; built by Penny Banks, the materials were sourced from Point Source Productions' sister company, Alvin Key Clamps.
(Jim Evans)
