[Source: Crista Leonard. Image shows Simon Costin sitting in front of a bookcase. Simon wears a denim jacket, red shirt and blue trousers.]
Simon Costin's journey into fashion might be described as a happy accident – when a student at Central Saint Martins wanted to borrow some of his conceptual jewellery – little did Simon realise the designer would turn out to be the eponymous #AlexanderMcQueen and the start of a firm creative working friendship. Simon talks of other industry heavyweights he has collaborated with, from legendary artist and filmmaker #DerekJarman, to his work more recently with Gareth Pugh and Charles Jeffrey and existing within this highly creative oxygen.
As well as his work as a leading British fashion-set-designer, Simon runs two museums: the British Folklore Museum and the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. The British Folklore Museum exists to promote, celebrate and revitalise the folk heritage of Britain. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic was established in 1949 and is the world’s largest collection of objects related to witchcraft and the occult.
This halloween at midnight will be Simon’s 10th year anniversary of being the present custodian of the Museum. The conversation leads to the fact that witchcraft is having a revival of interest and Tamara’s obsession with Powell and Pressburger. Simon’s recent project curating the exhibition for the BFI Southbank – #PowellandPressburger, ‘The Red Shoes Beyond The Mirror’ opening 10th November leads to more on Powell and Pressburger’s subversive and breathtakingly inventive cannon.
You can follow Simon Costin here
The British Folklore Museum
https://www.instagram.com/museum_of_british_folklore/?hl=en
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
https://www.instagram.com/museum_of_witchcraft_and_magic/?hl=en
Tickets to the British Film Institute Southbank ‘The Red Shoes Beyond The Mirror’ – more here
TAMARA CINCIK in conversation with #18 SIMON COSTIN