Moncler Freeze for Frieze Supports RCA Fashion and Textiles MA Scholarships
French–Italian fashion brand Moncler, known for its luxury outerwear, is partnering with the RCA to present Moncler Freeze for Frieze, with all proceeds donated to RCA scholarships in the School of Material.Â
The exhibition of 400 postcard-sized artworks, by renowned RCA alumni and current students alongside prestigious artists, fashion designers and cultural icons from the worlds of pop culture, music and design, is timed to attract collectors in town for the Frieze art fair.Â
Among an extensive and august list of artists – from John Baldessari to Christian Marclay, to Lawrence Weiner – and contemporary names from a wide cultural spectrum, Moncler Freeze for Frieze will include work by former RCA artists and designers from Gavin Turk to Holly Fulton, as well as past and current heads of programme Nigel Coates and Zowie Broach.
In keeping with Moncler’s aim to support the creativity of tomorrow, they have asked participants to donate a piece of their artwork in postcard format. The identities of the artists, designers and friends who’ve donated their work to this excellent cause will be revealed to the buyer after purchase via a reveal card.
Following the format of RCA Secret, the original, anonymous annual postcard sale that has been running for 22 years at the RCA, artworks will be signed only on the back. Each will be sold at a fixed price of £60 (maximum two per buyer). Works will be on display at the Moncler flagship store during the boutique's opening event on 7 October 2016, and on sale until 9 October.
Moncler Freeze for Frieze is guest curated by renowned journalist Tim Blanks. Blanks has long admired the RCA Secret project, saying it has ‘always been a thing of wonder to me. It's such a fabulous metaphor for the randomness of life.’ The thinking behind ‘Freeze for Frieze’ is that, just as art can represent life and artists can immortalise moments in their creations, Moncler wishes to ‘freeze’ the moments depicted on the postcards thereby making them immortal. Â
As with RCA Secret, the joy is then to discover which important cultural figure created the work. Blanks sees the exhibition as a ‘wonderful game. How good is your eye? Spot the future classic.’ Moncler Freeze for Frieze will generously donate all proceeds to fund scholarships for two students' full tuition for their MA degree programme in Fashion and Textiles.Â
The Moncler brand combines style with constant technological research, assisted by experts in the demands of outdoor climates, and cultural expression remains at the centre of their thinking. Remo Ruffini, Chairman and CEO of Moncler commented, ‘I'm very passionate about the world of art, especially how meaningful it is as a language, a means of communication, encompassing one's personal views and abilities. Creativity has always been a key word for Moncler. Working towards this common goal alongside a high profile institution like the Royal College of Art is a great honour for me.’
Paul Thompson, Rector of the RCA, commented, ‘Being one of the most successful design companies in the world, Moncler has been a great source of inspiration to our Fashion students for many years. I'm pleased to point out that Moncler is offering something more than just inspiration here, at the Royal College of Art, through these generous contributions to the scholarship fund. It's thanks to this collaboration, in fact, that two exceptionally talented students will be able to obtain their MA degrees.’
Thompson points to the Royal College of Art’s 2015 and 2016 Fashion Shows, led by Head of Fashion Zowie Broach, as demonstrations of the creative freedom that can be found through art and fashion becoming ever-more intertwined. Transcending disciplines – as these shows melded fashion, painting, sculpture, music, dance, science and philosophy – is widely recognised as an attribute of RCA graduates, enabled by the College’s nurturing of a lifelong, creative curiosity.
Moncler Freeze for Frieze will take place from 7 to 9 October 2016 at the new Moncler flagship store at 26 Old Bond Street. In addition a special selection of cards will be available exclusively on the brand’s e-commerce platform moncler.com for international purchase.