I am a London born and based Menswear Designer. I graduated with masters from The Royal college of Art in menswear design in June. Prior to that I completed a BA at Kingston University in Fashion design, achieving a first place prize for the Sophie Hallette lace competition for my graduate collection.
My work is based around the exploration of surrounding identities, alongside influences from my British-West Indian heritage and what that means in London today. By looking at authentic research and self-documented archives, this pushes me to create artistic exchanges through making garments or collaborating with sound and film. With menswear design I produced a wardrobe that has elements of contemporary tailoring and elevated causal wear using drape techniques.
I see my research as an important aspect to my work, I produced a zine this year about my 'Personal Politics' collection research. The zine sold out at ICA Bookshop but a few copies are available on my online shop. I curated an multimedia exhibition at The Ace Hotels Miranda in Shoreditch titled " Personal Politics". The exhibition showed the collection film titled “ Permission” which is now on the Nowness website directed by Akinola Davies JR. The exhibition also showed my short documentary, filmed and edited by me. Along side my visual art films which can be viewed on my Vimeo.
Projects
- A Conversation with Urbain - Visual Art filmA conversation with Urbain. Urbain is an Actor/ Artist. This interview and footage took place November 2016. This is additional documentation research for the 'Personal Politics' Collection, Touching on subjects of masculinity, isolation and sexuality. Concept curation, Filmed and Edited By Bianca Saunders
- A Conversation with Urbain | Live Installation Selfridges@theofficialselfridges asked designer @garethpughstudio to takeover their Corner Shop (that big space on the corner of Oxford St & Duke St) for one week (from the 16th to the 22nd of April) as part of their Radical Luxury programme, and to curate a space that reflects Gareth Pugh world / outlook. They have inviting me to come in and stage an 'intervention' or a 'happening' within the space. The aim is to be a provocative and outward looking celebration of the creative spirit of London. In an l
- Personal Politics ExhibitionThis was a two day exihibiton curated by me. This was the first time Ace Hotel‘s Miranda has hosted an exhibition in this space. This was a multimedia exhibition that included my visual art work on small screens. A large screen premiered The "Premission". I collaborated with film director Akinola Davies, featuring music by Yassi. Imagery from the Personal Politics Lookbook that was photographed by Adama Jalloh, styled by PC Williams . Along side poetry by Caleb Femi, Seyi Isikalu Abondan
- Performance Art- BelongingBelonging- A short performance Art/Fashion film portraying how the garment illustrates societies perception on identity. The garment allows the subject to belong and fully attach throughout the film, the garment develops into a super form. " We see ourselves how others view us"- inspired the concept. Directed by Bianca Saunders Music- CKTRL & Larry B Part 2 - The Weekend- Gone Model - Mo - @boywholives Featuring - Bianca Saunders
- Personal Politics DocumentaryPersonal Politics is a documentary filmed and editing by me . I interviewed 5 male friends about their experience with masculinity and black masculinity in particular. This research was used in order to produce my RCA graduate collection show for LFWM June 2017. The film serves as an attempt to define contemporary black masculinity, Through dialogue that challenges the stereotypes of hyper masculinity and how that is internalised. Showing ideas of vunerablity interviewees : Kareem Reid Chris Codjoe Hamed Maiye Kemar Reid Emmanuel Osaro Directed, Casted, Filmed and Editied by Bianca Saunders
+ View all
Projects credited in
- Bianca Saunders 'Permission' Fashion Film | Directed by Akinola Davies JrExploring trust, sensitivity and vulnerability within black masculinity with Bianca Saunders and Akinola Davies Jr. The film features Bianca's RCA graduate collection and was released exclusively on Nowness Watch it here Director & Editor – Akinola Davies Jr DOP – Jack Wells assisted by Nathalie Pitters Styling – KK Obi Grooming – Ammy Drammeh Hair – Joy Matashi assisted by Afi Emily Grading – Jason Wallis ETC Casting – Chloe Rosolek Music – Yassi Grez Producer – Julie Vergez Models – Clint &
Work history
Visiting LectureRoyal College of Art
- London, United KingdomFreelance
For the beginning of the term fashion students engage in "Talk, Draw and Debate Week". This is a week that introduces the new the 1st and 2nd year Mens and Womenswear MA students to the new term. A series of interesting lectures and debates to get the them to think more and loosen up their minds to start the course.
I was asked by Head of Fashion at The Royal College of Art, Zowie Broach to give a lecture about my work and my community. I was delighted for this opportunity to be able to speak about the journey through my final year at the Royal College of Art and my community. My talk lasted for 40 mins and I also engaged in questions afterwards.
I spoke about:
- My working process of me using film and working with friends such as Akinola Davies Jr
- Producing a Zine which is selling at The ICA, LNCC
- Putting on my own exhibition
- Showing my research for the Late night V&A event.
& Press.
H
H
Assistant Art DirectorHarris Elliott
- London, United KingdomFreelance
I assisted Art director Harris Elliot on the " Punk In translation" exhibition. The exhibition was running from 9th - 11th Jan during the course of LCM.
- My duties were :
-Managing the social media
- Assisting with Harris Elliot with the running of the exhibition.
+ Show more
Skills
- Photography
- Adobe Photoshop/indesign/illustrator
- Adobe Premiere/photoshop/indesign
- Fashion Design/patternmaking/construction
- Film Editing
- 2D Drawing
- Life Drawing
- Fashion Menswear
- Catwalk Styling
- Exhibition Curation
Education
MA MenswearRoyal College of Art
- London, United Kingdom
The Menswear programme brought me on a great journey towards developing a stronger design identity.
I had great tutors and being around talented course-mates made the journey to getting a masters incredible. I was able to engage in talks and debates. I learnt how to bring people into my world for my presentations and integrate other creative forms into my all projects. One of the being film which I used a development tool for research.
One of my favourite moments at the Royal College of Art was having the opportunity to go to Italy to work with the master tailors at the brand Brioni. One of the main reasons that I went to the Royal College Of Art was to develop my knowledge of designing menswear as previously I was a womenswear designer for majority of my time at Kingston. Doing the Brioni project gave me a part of what I was looking for, learning traditional skill and craftsmanship.
Finishing at the Royal College Of Art was great. I completed at 7 look menswear collection, which was well received by press and left me confident in my design work.
K
K
BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile Design Kingston University
- United Kingdom
The course pushed me to develop further as designer. I was able to explore how design is influenced by cultural, social, critical and historical studies. I began to develop my own signature style, experimenting across sketch work from 2D to 3D.
The Fashion course at Kingston prides itself on having a strong hand in drawing and fashion portfolio presentation. My sketch books were filled with hand drawings and drape experiments. I learnt how to use Adobe software such as Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign. I used these skills to develop a professional portfolio and also make technical drawings for production.
I gained great skills in pattern cutting. All these lessons allowed me to Move forward to graduate with a successful collection to finish my BA
+ Show more
Awards
S
S
1st place prize winner for Sophie Hallette University ChallengeSophe Hallette
I had to show case my work along side 22 other students, showing pieces made with lace and tulle to chosen to compete for the cash prize, which the first place price went to me from Kingston University. My collection was inspired by the integration of the West Indies into Britain. My Great-Aunt owned a stall at Deptford Market selling only lace curtains for a living, she had 5 sons and each of my lace garments from my collection pays homage to her sons.
The competition is about showing love and innovation to Sophie Hallette.