Tag Archives: Kevin Freeman

Couture Brighton

1 June – 3 July 2011

Couture Brighton
Joanne Fleming Design

Art and fashion collide in a glittering display of luxurious opulence.

Using the city as a source of inspiration, some of Brighton’s best known and dynamic fashion designers have worked in collaboration to produce nine new gowns that demonstrate the skill, opulence and art of the Couturier. The gowns will be staged in the costume gallery at Brighton Museum against a beautiful mirrored backdrop to create an installation of breathtaking beauty and exquisite detail.

The designers selected have all been chosen because of their strong individual style and the attention to detail in their work. Working to a brief that has asked them to create a one-off piece based on a Brighton landmark or historical reference, the works produced will use a limited colour palette with a personal accent colour and will clearly demonstrate the techniques, skills and house-style associated with each designer.
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Spotted Round The Dials

Lianne Hall, who runs the Music Club at West Hill Hall and deals with all the bookings, is warmly welcomed back to Seven Dials after a 3 month writer-in-residency at an Arts Centre in Germany.

Bay TreeRichard Ford, an ex-postie who used to live in Centurion Road and who normally delivers The Whistler, has been ill for the past few months so we’ve had a series of other helpers braving all weathers to deliver the paper to our readers, including your editor, Colette. On one of her rounds, she spotted this amazing bay tree in Clifton Street, along with many other exotic trees which grace the gardens in the road. If you’re the owner of this magnificent beast do drop us a line and tell us how long you’ve been growing it.

Last edition we wrote about Kevin Freeman’s designs for Santa’s Tickly Tale at the Imabic Arts Theatre. The show went really well, great review in The Argus and on ChildFriendlyBrighton.co.uk and the weekend matinees were sell-outs.

Spotted Near The Dials

Kevin Freeman
Kevin Freeman

I met Kevin Freeman at the Brighton & Hove Business Speed Networking show mentioned in the Oct/Nov edition and there was something about this stylish and gentle man that I wanted to find out more about. Kevin is the creative powerhouse behind Renaissance Design, a truly multi-talented Renaissance man, a dress, costume and installation designer. It’s only a hop, skip and a jump from the West Hill to Western Road where Kevin has his studio on the top floor above Fabric Land.

He creates bespoke bridal gowns, evening wear, costumes for singers and actors (including Frances de la Tour, Saffron Burrows and Ralph Little when he worked for the BBC, and more recently for Suzie Kennedy – the world’s No 1 Marilyn Monroe impersonator – Katherine Ellis, Sandie Shaw, Carol Harrison), and installations for many different events. His wedding dresses are not for blushing brides – he’s had many weird and wonderful commissions from people who want something different and eye-catching. “When I was little I used to have a set of Disney books and I remember drawing medieval princesses with pointy hats on the fly covers of them,” Kevin says. “I’ve always been interested in clothes and design and colours.” His bridal gowns start at £1500 and he designs to the specifications of his customers, who come in all shapes and ages but have one thing in common, they want their fun and adventurous characters to be reflected in the creations that Kevin designs for them. You’ll have to allow at least 6 months if you want Kevin to make you a wedding dress, but it’s normal for most people to start planning their big day 12-18 months in advance.
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