Southwark-based arts mental health charity CoolTan Arts is presenting ‘Twisted Tartan’, a creative new collection  of 20 beautifully designed and hand-dyed dresses and scarves at the Alternative Fashion Week on 20^th April 2010.

After making a splash two years running at the Alternative Fashion Week, CoolTan Arts are back for the third time and bring their original hand made, dyed and printed creations to the catwalk once more.

Lydia Honeybone, CoolTan Arts’ batik tutor says about the collection: “This year we’re giving Vivienne Westwood a run for her money! With our ‘Twisted Tartan’ collection. Swathing our models in our take on the Scottish weave like you’ve never seen it before.

Our Spring/Summer collection will be comprised primarily of silk, hand crafted creations made by our students from fabric they batik and dye themselves in our South London based studios. Using the batik wax resist technique to build up vibrant layers of colour in swirly, spiky and twisted tartan designs.”

Being involved in the Alternative Fashion Week these last two years has been one of the most important opportunities our participants have had since CoolTan began in 1990. Following the success of last year’s entry we were asked to stage two more shows as interest grew in our collection. The experience of actually modelling her own piece has been described by one of our students as simply, “fantastic!”

For CoolTan Arts’ Batik class to be not only involved but respected by something as established and renowned as the Alternative Fashion Week gives our participants the confidence to get back into the community through their creativity.

Entrance to the Alternative Fashion Show is free and the show is promising to be spectacular. So get there by 1pm on 20th April 2010 to save disappointment and see the CoolTan Arts models and their unique collection on the catwalk. Visit www.alternativearts.co.uk for more information.

Additional information

The Alternative Fashion Show runs from 19-23 April 2010 and CoolTan Arts’ catwalk will take place on the 20th April 2010 at Spitalfields Traders Market, Crispin Place, Brushfield Street E1 at 1:15pm. Nearest tube and rail stations are Aldgate (Circle and Metropolitan Line) and Aldgate East (District and Hammersmith and City Line). Nearest bus stop is on Bishopsgate where the bus routes 8, 26, 35, 43, 48, 78, 149, 242, 243A stops and 67, which stops at Commercial Street. Car parks are available on Whites Row and Hanbury Street. Spaces would be allocated for wheelchair users throughout the event.

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It is a charity run by and for those with mental distress and exists to inspire the wellbeing and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality art.

Further information about CoolTan Arts and the 2010 collection is available from: Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Officer, CoolTan Arts, 020 7701 2696 kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk www.cooltanarts.org.uk

We are proud to have as Patrons: Maggi Hambling, Sokari Douglas Camp, Ali Smith, Clare Allan and Rosemary Shrager

Unit B 237 Walworth Rd LONDON SE17 1RL T: 0207 701 2696 M: 07952 481 566 W: www.cooltanarts.org.uk E: info@cooltanarts.org.uk

CoolTan Arts Registered charity number 1064231   Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales reg. 3244552

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