'REDDRESS' at London Design Festival

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London Design Festival, 22–25 September 2011, York Hall, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PJ

The Finnish Institute in London is delighted to announce an exciting programme of music, performance and discussions for its groundbreaking project, REDDRESS, taking place during London Design Festival (LDF).  Designed by Aamu Song, REDDRESS is an installation and performance space in the form of a colossal, red dress.

From 22 to 25 September, REDDRESS will be exhibited for the first time in London at York Hall in Bethnal Green. Realised in over 550 metres of Kvadrat’s classic Divina wool fabric, this extraordinary red dress is worn by a performer who will climb a concealed staircase to immerse herself into the billowing material. Reaching an impressive 20 metres in diametre, the dress can accommodate up to 238 people within the gigantic pockets of its folds allowing the audience members to fully engross themselves into the space and moment.

REDDRESS will also host free daytime events and talks including ‘Meet the Designers’, an exclusive launch of REDBOOK, REDLOOKS workshop and a dance event for families at the neighbouring V&A Museum of Childhood. On-site for the duration of REDDRESS will be REDSHOP, offering many exclusively designed red products, including the quirky yet functional and inspirational pieces designed by Aamu Song and Johan Olin’s COMPANY as well as limited editions by innovative guest designers such as Vuokko Nurmesniemi, Nene Tsuboi and Vík Prjónsdóttir.

Vuokko Nurmesniemi, one of the original Marimekko designers in the 1950s and famed for revolutionising printed fabrics and fashion design in Finland, has designed a special red edition of her 1960s Myllynkivi Dress and Round Bag for REDSHOP. Japanese-born, Helsinki-based Nene Tsuboi has created a red edition of her Mitsumaru wooden clogs. The Mitsumaru clog is a modern reinvention of the traditional, Finnish wooden clog produced by the family-run clog manufacturer Talla in the small village of Myrskylä in Finland for 50 years. Creative brand, Vík Prjónsdóttir, inspired by myths and stories from the past and present, will present Healing Hands Icelandic woollen scarf. Additional products by COMPANY such as Winter Tie, Mushroom Stool and Suomi Shoes will be available in specially made red editions at REDSHOP during the event.

‘We are extremely pleased to be working with Aamu Song and Johan Olin's COMPANY, one of Finland's top creative duos. They are a truly imaginative pair who effortlessly ventures from design to art, architecture and craft. REDDRESS creates an exciting and thought-provoking experience for Londoners – and continues to strengthen the links between London and Helsinki, the two world-class design cities’, says Hanna Harris, Programme Director for Arts & Culture at the Finnish Institute.

The REDDRESS event is part of the international programme of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. REDDRESS is part of the permanent collection of Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland.  REDDRESS will be open from Thursday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Admission free.  Ticketed evening performances will run Thursday to Saturday at 7pm. www.reddress.fi <http://www.reddress.fi/>