Artist In Residence: Dawn Bendick

For London Fashion Week AW23, we’re not only celebrating some of the most noteworthy established and next-generation names in our industry, but also the mesmerising works of Dawn Bendick. The Kent-based artist-in-residence within our Mayfair boutique presents TURN, a collection of beautiful glass sculptures - including four created specially for Browns - which display some of the hottest pieces of the season.

“This collection is all about colour and light, inspired by the changing light in the atmosphere, the transition of seasons and fashion's reaction to that shift,” Dawn explains. “Reminding us that the annual marking of the seasons by the fashion calendar shouldn’t be underestimated in its cultural relevance." Read on to discover more from this talented creative, who has worked with the likes of Acne Studios, the National Museum of Norway and many more…

On her passion for art…
I’m incredibly lucky to work in the field that I work in. One of the incredible things about it are the creative people I get to meet and work with. You can’t imagine the amount of skill people have - honestly I’m amazed every day by the creative things my colleagues are doing.

On her journey to becoming an artist…
I used to paint in the windows of our kitchen with my Mom and work with wood in my Dad’s workshop. I studied more formally at the Maryland Institute College of Art in the U.S. and after working in the fashion and design industry, went on to pursue an MA in Material Futures at CSM in London.

On her inspirations…
At the moment, I’m really inspired by how people react to colour and how light and seasons influence our decisions on a daily basis. I’m thinking about how I can play with that to communicate ideas about our future.

On her creative process…
I work very closely with my partner Max Jacquard, who has worked with cast glass for years and is incredibly skilled. In the studio we work with all kinds of forms. The pieces you see in Browns will have been made through casting. I make sculptural prototypes in the studio. We translate those forms into glass by making moulds that go into our kilns. We pack the moulds with glass and when the kiln heats up the glass melts into the forms (rocks, bricks, etc).

On the artworks in the exhibition…
There are four new pieces in the collection that come from a slightly different place than the other Time Rock Stacks in the collection. Each piece is one colour and the qualities are slightly less formal in their form. I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens when things fall out of balance.

On collaborating with Browns…
Working with the team has been great. I love the connection between fashion and art. They can fuel one another in a way and both reference culture. When I collaborated with Acne Studios a few years ago, I had a similar experience - we’re looking to communicate ideas about some of the wider issues we’re all dealing with today.

On her favourite designer within her installation at Browns Brook Street…
I think it has to be BODE! The colours, the craft and the use of materials are incredible.

Come and discover Dawn’s mesmerising glass marvels up close, showcasing our unrivalled Best Of British Fashion Edit in The Focus at Browns Brook Street. Some of our favourite British brands, including Alexander McQueen, Molly Goddard and JW Anderson (along with many, many more) will be on display until 22nd March 2023.

Words by Sophy Davis Russell
Photography by Dawn Bendick and Kristy Noble
Discover more at www.theobservatory.co and @observatorystudios