IN CONVERSATION WITH TAREK KOURHANI OF KOURH
AS HE APPROACHES THE END OF HIS FIRST SEASON, THE EDITION TALKS WITH KOURH FOUNDER, TAREK KOURHANI, ON A PROJECT CLOSE TO HIS HEART. CREATED AS A SOLUTION TO FASHION'S ONGOING STOCK CHALLENGES, KOURHANI INTRODUCES A BESPOKE UPCYCLING PROGRAM ENTITLED KOURH.LAB. AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT THAT WILL SEE THE DESIGNER COLLABORATE WITH A MYRIAD OF OTHER CREATIVES TO GIVE ANY LEFT OVER KOURH PIECES A NEW LEASE ON LIFE, FIND OUT WHY WE SHOULD ALL BE LOOKING TO REINVENTION AND ORIGINALITY AS THE FUTURE OF FASHION IN A STORY CAPTURED BY THE DESIGNER HIMSELF.
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DISCOVER KOURH AND KOURH.LAB HERE.
TELL US ABOUT THE PREMISE BEHIND KOURH LAB AND THE IMPORTANCE OF UP CYCLING TO YOU
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THE WORD KOURH LAB IS A PLAY ON WORDS FOR COLAB THE IDEA IS TO GIVING WHAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD CALL 'DEAD STOCK' OR FRAGMENT SIZING, WHICH IN MOST CASES GOES ON FINAL SALE, SOME COMPANIES EVEN THROW THEM OUT, A NEW LEASE ON LIFE. A FRESH NEW IDEA, BACK IN THE LAB TO CHANGE ITS DNA. I THINK AS THE BRAND GROWS I WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH BIG ARTISTS, STYLISTS OR EVEN CELEBS AND SEE WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO THIS SO CALLED 'DEAD STOCK'.
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UPCYCLING IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PARTS OF THE DESIGN PROCESS, IT GIVES YOU THE FREEDOM TO CUT EVERYTHING UP AND RE-CONSTRUCT IT TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN MAKE OUT OF IT. IT’S REALLY FUN IT COULD BE A LITTLE BIT AMATEUR AND CRAFTY BUT STILL BE REALLY COOL.
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WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS IN EVOLVING EACH PIECE AND HOW DOES THIS INFORM THE INSPIRATION FOR THE CAPSULE?
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HONESTLY IT’S ALL JUST A FEELING I GUESS, IN THIS CAPSULE I JUST WORKED WITH JUST THE GARMENT. MAYBE NEXT TIME I WOULD INVOLVE OTHER FABRICS OR DIFFERENT STYLES OR VINTAGE INTO THE GARMENT AND RECONSTRUCT IT THAT WAY.
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WITH THIS CAPSULE I JUST WORKED INSTINCTIVELY TO SEE HOW THE GARMENT WOULD LOOK IN ANOTHER DIRECTION, TAKE THE HELIX JACKET FOR EXAMPLE, I TURNED THAT INTO A MINI CUT OUT DRESS.
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WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF FASHION?
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I THINK THE REALLY BIG BRANDS AND FAST FASHION BRANDS NEED TO TAKE A LOT MORE RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE DAMAGE THEY ARE DOING TO THE WORLD.
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I HOPE THAT PEOPLE STOP CREATING BRANDS THAT ALL LOOK ALIKE IN AUSTRALIA. WE HAVE A LOT OF RESORT BRANDS THAT ARE ALL ARE STARTING TO MESH TOGETHER AND IT’S KIND OF WEIRD.
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​IT’S TIME TO BE ORIGINAL, HAVE A BIT OF FUN, IT’S NOT THAT SERIOUS, LIGHTEN UP ABOUT IT THERE ARE MUCH BIGGER ISSUES IN THE WORLD. I LIKE TO REMIND MYSELF THAT IT’S JUST A DRESS. WHEN I’M STRESSED OUT. I’D LIKE MORE PEOPLE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.
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TALENT - TOM MOY @ KULT
ASH CHEN AND LINNEA STEVENS-JONES @ PRISCILLAS
PHOTOGRAPHY - TAREK KOURHANI
STYLE - RACHAEL FAIR
BEAUTY - SEAN BRADY
CLOTHING BY KOURH.LAB
