UNABURKE

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Spring/Summer 2012 has led Úna to be intrigued by the spiritual, symbolic and superstitious burial rituals found in every culture. Finally focussing on those of the Ancient Egyptians who, through their burial practices, strived for eternal life, Úna studied the various procedures used in the processes of mummification, discovering the reasoning behind the removal of internal organs yet the protection of the heart and the decoration of the sarcophagus and the tomb with protective symbols such as vulture wings, cats and scarab beetles. It was believed that through these processes the soul was protected and aided in the passing through to the afterlife where it would be reborn and in effect ‘death would be cheated’. As a result of this research Úna has created a collection which contains bodice pieces that protect the heart through forms relating to that of the heart scarab and a human heart shaped hollow vessel to be used as a handbag. Necklines are lowered this season and skirt shapes are merely frames and empty forms, in the way that death is fooled. Winged creatures such as the many bird and scarab symbols are also referenced in the Wing Shoulder piece, while arm braces, cuffs, neck pieces, corsets, belts and handbags feature heavily in this collection, created in bright vegetable tanned leathers indicative of this ancient culture. In researching this topic Úna uncovered stories of an Egyptian Goddess called ‘Bastet’ who was worshipped by many, often depicted as a lioness or a cat. Bastet was regarded as the protector of Lower Egypt so, inspired by this, these armour-like pieces have been photographed with flowing, draped chiffons, creating a strong warrior-like, yet very feminine and sensual character. The photoshoot took place in a breathtaking Austrian Marble Mine near Salzburg, where Úna worked, for the third time now, with Vienna based Photographer, Andreas Waldschuetz, Art Director, Adia Trischler and their awe inspiring creative team..................................................................................................... Photography - Andreas Waldschuetz Art Director - Adia Trischler Styling - Adia Trischler, Lauren Cooke Make Up - Stefanie Lamm Hair - Patrick Glatthaar 1st Photo Assistant - Marlena Koenig Styling Assistant - Verena Weiss Videography - Volkmar Geiblinger Digital Imaging - Christian Freidrich Model - Justine @ Fresh Model Mgmt Shoes - Fflur Cadwaladr Owen Leather sponsorship by Metropolitan Leathers, Northampton.... http://www.metropolitanleather.com/

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About the Designer

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Una is based in London, United Kingdom. She studied at London College of Fashion and graduated in 2009. Her collections are produced in United Kingdom.

Úna Burke is a luxury leather accessories designer who uses traditional leather-working methods and vegetable tanned hides. With her distinct construction technique of leather strips and brass fittings, Úna develops sculptural belt forms, jewellery, handbags and abstract body pieces. Her work is quite often concept based, with influence commonly taken from military sources and other physical and metaphorical methods of protection.
Born and brought up in North County Roscommon, in the west of Ireland, Úna now works from her studio in Earlsfield, South London. She completed a BA in Fashion Design at Limerick School of Art and Design in 2003, and then worked in several Irish and UK design studios including those of Philip Treacy and Burberry. Returning to study in 2007, Úna received a distinction in her MA in Fashion Artefact and her graduate collection, ‘RE.TREAT’, won the London College of Fashion “Off Catwalk Award for Design 2009”. In the following months, Úna was shortlisted for ITS #EIGHT, featured in Vogue Italia and invited by the editor Sara Maino, to present her work during Milan Fashion Week. Úna has since has won eight Design and Craft Awards, including Irish Designer of the Year 2011, and has been shortlisted for several other prizes both nationally and internationally. Her sculptural leather pieces have featured in exhibitions, catwalk shows, films, festivals and trend forecasting events throughout the UK and Ireland, and in France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Singapore, Hungary, the US, China, Austria, Greece and Hong Kong.
Most recently, Úna was nominated as “Breakthrough Designer” in WGSN’s “Global Fashion Awards”, with the final awards ceremony taking place on October 20th, in New York’s Gotham Hall. Her AW11 film, META.MORPH, featuring Úna's collection, was selected by Diane Pernet and her panel of industry experts, ASVOFF 4, and on September 18th, several of Úna's leather pieces were showcased in Singapore's 'World Runway Premiere' for Fox Network, helping to raise £25,000.00 for Japan Quake Aid.
In the past two and a half years, Úna’s work has been photographed by legends like Nick Knight, David Bailey and Francois Nars, styled by Patti Wilson, Nicola Formichetti, Charlotte Stockdale and Katie Grand. It has featured in top magazines including Vogue Italia, Harpers Bazaar, i-D, Grazia, Collezioni, Numéro, Arena and Dazed and Confused and Úna has also dressed high profile international personalities such as Daphne Guinness, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga.
Showing her first commercial collection in September 2010, Úna secured orders in New York, LA, Miami, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Milan and Dubai. AW11 saw that list extend to Singapore, Tokyo, Zurich, Copenhagen, Dallas and London.
Úna has just shown her Spring Summer 2012 collection 'BASTET' at London’s Somerset House and at Premiere Classe in Paris. This season Úna also collaborated for the first time with catwalk designer Philip Stephens for his brand ‘Unconditional’ and she will now begin work on an exclusive collection for the e-store of Joyce Hong Kong, which will launch in March/April 2012.
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