Coal Drops Yard 2020 art installation reinvented as clothing collection

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Apr 28, 2021

In an interesting twist, an art installation from 2020 has been picked up and turned into a fashion collection by London-based clothing company, Ventura/Foreman.

The Pattern Portraits flag installation from summer 2020 was created by artist Lauren Godfrey for the King’s Cross retail destination Coal Drops yard.

It took over the location last year with 144 flags, the designs of which were created by Godfrey during lockdown. She worked with students from Central Saint Martins and from Store Store, a Coal Drops Yard-based initiative that helps local young people engage with applied creative arts. They created the designs and the pattern of each flag represents a portrait of the individual involved.

The flags were made using Organic Content Blended Standard (OCS) Hemp Slub which is 100% recyclable and the aim was always for the flags “to continue to be reused and reinvented”. 

The hemp slub was “beautifully weathered” after three months in the sun, wind, and rain, and has now been used for the collection.

The hand-made pieces feature colourful unisex shirts, jackets and shorts, as well as accessories such as hats, pouches and face masks. Each piece is unique and all proceeds from the sale of the will be donated to the Lower Stable Street Grant. That’s an arts-based fund that supports young people in accessing higher education.