Renée Mathews: Transforming Discarded Denim →

“They’re not obviously current replacements for wigs, but in a very Jetsons type of way, I hope this is the beginning of thinking about other ways that we can change our hair and play around with identity.”

— Renée Mathews (4:03 CBC Arts video)

Renée Mathews is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. Her current practice investigates vulnerability, sensuality, and identity in a Black Canadian context. Currently working out of Akin's St. Clair location, Mathews collection of denim wigs challenges the way we think about reusing commonplace items that are regularly discarded.

Drawing influence from the intricate hairstyle photography of Nigerian artist J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere and the various styles seen on her daily commute,  Mathews evokes a sense of playfulness while maintaining individuality within the collection of transformed denim wigs.

Video from CBC Arts

Danielle Meder - Draw Fashion Now Book Launch

Congratulations to Danielle Meder of Akin Lansdowne on the launch of her beautifully crafted book Draw Fashion Now. The book officially launches on August 1, 2016.

Draw Fashion Now is a combination how-to guide and workbook that teaches the best techniques for illustrating and envisioning 21st-century fashion. Danielle, a professional fashion illustrator, shares lessons she’s learned over fourteen seasons of sketching fashion and style in every fashion capital, offering readers solid illustration techniques that demystify the enigma of fashion “attitude.”

Click here to pre-order your copy!

Here is a sneak peek:

A video posted by @akinprojects on Jul 20, 2016 at 3:08pm PDT