The final episode of the three-part digital series dedicated to the celebration & preservation of savoir-faire premiered on November 16thexclusively on CR Fashion Book’s IGTV.
The Founder of K11 and K11 Craft & Guild Foundation Adrian Cheng and world-renowned stylist /fashion icon Carine Roitfeld announce their third and final episode of K11 Original Masters – an educational IGTV series first conceived in 2020, showcasing age-old artisanship to a powerful new generation of young and digital-savvy consumers.
In this final instalment, Cheng and Roitfeld take viewers on a spectacle voyage through the world of Schiaparelli. Joined by the Maison’s Creative Director, Daniel Roseberry, who provides exclusive looks into Cheng and Roitfeld’s inspirations and behind-the-scenes of Schiaparelli’s internet-breaking Fall 2021 Couture Collection.
For this episode, Roseberry showcases his careful balancing of Elsa Schiaparelli’s traditions and his own innovative visions, transcending the boundaries of modern fashion and propelling century-old Maison into becoming one of Hollywood’s most highly converted brands of today.
While the label isn’t new to Hollywood’s elite, Elsa Schiaparelli famously crafted Mae West’s gowns for the 1937 film Every Day is a Holiday and Zsa Zsa Gabor’s gowns for 1952’s Moulin Rouge. Roseberry discloses how he has forged his own path in raising the profile of the prospering brand via red carpet dressings. In recent months, celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West, Adele, Cardi B, Katy Perry, Zendaya, Hailey Bieber and Beyoncé have all worn his couture creations.
When asked by Adrian Cheng which Schiaparelli piece is his dearest, Roseberry answers that he was inspired most by “all the hardware.” Through his use of hardware, Roseberry comments on his collaborations, saying that it led to iconic and cultural moments, such as Lady Gaga’s message of peace at President Biden’s inauguration, this was completed with Schiaparelli’s statement brooch – a gilded pewter dove holding an olive branch. In addition, Roseberry comments on Bella Hadid’s ensemble at the Cannes Film Festival – a form-fitting gown with an open neckline, revealing Hadid’s gilded gold-dripped brass necklace in the shape of trompe l’oeil lungs.
“With (the necklace worn by) Bella, for example, we spent the past year obsessing over this part of our body that no one can see, so the idea was to almost fetishize and glorify and celebrate,” said Roseberry.
Among a series of other topics discussed (such as ancient techniques of Guangcai and Su embroidery), Cheng, Roitfeld, and Roseberry discuss the challenges faced during the global pandemic and how Schiaparelli had to adapt her art to be experienced online instead of up close and personal. Roseberry, Cheng and Roitfeld have also touched upon the influence of traditional craftsmanship amongst young people, pointing out new methods that attract a nation dominated by digital-savvy individuals.
First launched in October 2020, the K11 Original Masters series evolved from Cheng and Roitfeld’s appreciation for art and fashion, alongside their shared dedication to preserving fast-disappearing techniques by introducing them to mainstream culture. The first two episodes featured behind-the-scenes access with world-renowned authorities of modern artistry from the houses of Chanel and Dior, showcasing the most quintessential elements and influence of century-old craftsmanship.
This series is the first element of an ongoing collaboration between two world-renowned fashion and retail cultural forces. Their partnership will evolve next month with the first intercontinental couture exhibition curated by Carine Roitfeld but conceived by Adrian Cheng. Titled Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion, the exhibition (beginning on December 13th and running until February 14th) at K11 Art & Culture Centre in Hong Kong will showcase haute couture designs from Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, Versace, Tom Ford, Giambattista Valli, bringing the artisanship of Savoir-Faire to life.
Article by Holly Lewis, Features Writer
For more on the Savoire Faire Series check out – www.crfashionbook.com
For more on Schiaparelli: www.schiaparelli.com