“I came across an exhibition of hers at the Serpentine Gallery and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life,’” says Saunders in the Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of AnOther
This article is taken from the Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of AnOther Magazine.
“I first discovered Lynette Yiadom-Boakye when I was applying to the Royal College of Art. My sister and I came across an exhibition of hers at the Serpentine Gallery and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life.’ I immediately went home to study her work and fell in love with it even more. I was most interested in the idea of creating a character by combining different forms of imaginary people – which is something I like doing in my own work. I’m fascinated by the way multiple people are able to identify with the figures in her art. She paints her fictitious subjects with certain movements and gestures, and you can imagine that person’s scars. It’s so interesting – I often use her work on my research boards for inspiration. Her ability to create something dark that still holds elements of joy within it is so important, especially during the time we’re in right now.”
Bianca Saunders has established herself as one of the most exciting names in British fashion. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in the summer of 2017, she debuted at London Fashion Week Men’s the following June and was named by the British Fashion Council as One to Watch. The southeast London-born talent is currently at the forefront of a new generation of designers reshaping the idea of masculinity and harnessing its nuances to shift ideas about menswear. Her chosen tools include a gender-fluid authenticity and cultural inspirations sparked by her Caribbean roots; they have won her international plaudits (most recently the Andam Fashion Awards Grand Prize) and an ever-increasing circle of fans and clients.
This article appears in the Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of AnOther Magazine which is on sale now. Head here to purchase a copy.