YUGEN
A moving image artwork by Martha Fiennes.
In this groundbreaking work, Fiennes explores the boundaries of a radical new medium to create a visual and meditative exploration into perceptions of reality. In a pioneering union between actor and director in an artwork, the actor Salma Hayek Pinault is Fiennes’ muse and it is her character who dominates the screen as a leading visual presence.
Deborah Brand was commissioned to design a Bespoke Couture Empress Gown for the moving image artwork. In collaberation with the stylist Andy Blake, Martha Fiennes and Salma Hayek Pinault, Deborah designed this beautiful deep red silk satin corseted gown. We wanted to show the strength and the beauty of womankind and for this corset, we took Salma's waist in to 22inches.
The bespoke gown corset was made to Salma's measurements over 3 fittings and took 200 hours construct from start to finish. The bodice is heavily boned in folded polymer, and metal casings to create this three dimensional silhouette. Saira Jamieson was commisioned to hand paint gold symbolism from ancient greek mythology directly on to the gown and the visual symbolism used in Ms. Jamieson’s work is a reflection of the power and glory of the inner-self.
Deborah also designed all the subsequent couture corsets for all of Salma Hayek Pinault's costumes in the Film which included the White Princess and the Dark Witch.
With her production team headed by Peter Muggleston, Fiennes brings to her art substantial experience of filmmaking and visual effects technology to create dynamic works which are able to perpetually self-generate in a continuous, effectively infinite, non-predictable ‘random’ cycle. This means that each viewing enables a unique, non-linear, spontaneous experience which is liberated from any need to ‘loop’ or repeat.
The combined media process utilises generative computer coding technologies to enable a continuous, self-selective visual display. Fiennes’ SLOimage™ works sit in an evolving space between film, art, audio and technology.
Yugen "a profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe ... and the sad beauty of human suffering". yugen.
This piece is now available to purchase privately. Please inquire at info@deborahbrand.com.
The Designer
Deborah Brand has always been a fashion visionary. At sixteen she created the cult label Sub Couture, located in the hip London fashion Emporium Hyper Hyper, selling dresses of designer quality at the pricing of high street retail stores. Within two years, her designs retailed internationally in leading department stores including Harrods, Joyce in the Far East and Barneys NYC.
Always inspired by celebrating the female form, emphasising the desirable hour-glass figure continues to fascinate Deborah, after spending a decade in perfecting the ultimate corset.
Deborah Brand Corsets have been worn by diverse, global style icons from Amal Clooney, Kim Kardashian and Cara Delevingne to Billie Eilish and Salma Hayek.
The Corsets
Over 100 components and an unprecedented 45 bones in 5 consistencies are utlised to create the ultimate Deborah Brand corset.
However, Deborah understands the daunting prospect of getting into a corset, hence she has developed her famed underbust ‘Mila’ Corset which can easily be slipped on and laced in under 60 seconds and removed in under 30 seconds!
Her corsets comfortably reduce the waist measurements by 2 inches and up to 5 inches for the very dedicated.
Deborah’s fashion sense, combined with the highest level of craft, create the most pre-eminent corsets.
