Rees, Dai
British Designer who creates geometric dresses that enhance the female silhouette
A British Designer who was born in Wales and lives in London in 1967. He studied ceramic and glass design at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art (1992) and the Royal College of Art (’94). He collaborated with avant-garde designers, in particular Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, Sonja Nuttal and Moschino, and is responsible for the image of shop windows and boutiques. The idea of headgear sculptures, imaginative and innovative in their use of materials, are in demand for several exhibitions, including Addressing the Century – 100 years of art and fashion at the Hayward Gallery in London in ’98-99.
Which lead him to make his debut in 1997, where he created the headwear for Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer collection, “La Poupée”. For the creation of these hats he played with the idea of the mask and the possibilities of concealment. The pieces were made of painted porcupine quills, leather, feathers and natural fibres.
Victoria and Albert Museum has acquired his pieces for its permanent collection. The designers work and Accessories has existed as a brand since 1997, when he started to participate in London Fashion Week with his own collection. Ail, as the collection of women’s fashion at the turn of the millennium is called. A common thread links the spring-summer 2000 collection with the autumn-winter 1999. Truit, as it is christened (tree, in Gaelic), draws inspiration from the landscapes of Wales.
After launching his label in 1997, Rees also ventured into womenswear with a conceptual approach to the body and movement. A specific focus on craftsmanship and experimentation with natural fibres and leather.
Style
His work explores the concept of craftsmanship and often challenges the constraints of wearability, contributing to (or reflecting) the experimental impulse of British avant-garde fashion in the 1990s.
Highly geometric cuts enhance the feminine silhouette and, as always, the fabrics are sourced exclusively from British and Irish factories. The graphic motifs were inspired by Celtic virtuosity and the embroidery by British tradition. Shoe collection are by Christian Louboutin and the jewellery was designed by the designer with Naomi Filmer.
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