K_A_R_M_A_G_E_D_D_O_N from CASSETTE PLAYA on Vimeo.
Since the end of the world as we know it supposed to come soon (maybe), we might as well get the party started. At least that’s the reasoning behind Carri Munden aka Cassette Playa’s F/W 2012 collection K_A_R_M_A_G_E_D_D_O_N. In lieu of traditional (read: “boring”) runway shows, Munden gravitates towards creating experiences that have a virtual or interactive component, whether it be AR T-shirts, or presenting a line via GIF booth.
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On Sunday, she screened a film as part of London Fashion Week’s Fash/On Film program, and we caught up with her over the weekend via email to get the skinny on the shoot and all the wacky people that made it possible. She answered our questions in ALL CAPS, so in light of her loud collection and “cyborg nature,” we decided to keep it.
The Creators Project: I saw you in that Nike ad on your Instagram the other day that reads: “Dancing through the Apocalypse?” How would you dress someone for the apocalypse, or how would you hope you’d be dressed for the apocalypse?
Cassette Playa: EVERY DAY WE SHOULD BE DRESSED FOR THE APOCALYPSE—WARRIOR WEAR! READY FOR ANYTHING.
I’M INTERESTED IN 2012 THEORIES, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE THE WORLD WILL END—NEITHER DID THE MAYANS—IT’S ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING OF A NEW AGE… NEW AWAKENING!
What’s the narrative you’re projecting this season?
THIS SEASON IS CALLED KARMAGEDDON. IT’S A KINDA BABY COLLECTION FOR US THIS SEASON, MOSTLY KNITWEAR AND SCREEN PRINT + DIGITAL PRINT TEES. WE ALSO COLLABORATED WITH LAVENHAM AGAIN, THIS TIME ON THE WOMENS’ ACID–TONE QUILTED SKIRTS.
THE COLORS ARE SUPER SATURATED + THE GRAPHICS ARE STRAIGHT CARTOON (NO PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGERY THIS SEASON) = ALL MY FAV REFERENCES, MEMPHIS / JIM PHILLIPS / DEADLINE COMICS—ONE OF THE REPEATS IS BASED ON A GECKO, ANOTHER ON RAINFOREST FROG—PSYCHEDELIC ANIMAL PRINTS.
A/W 2012 mood board
You’ve said before that you find the fashion show a bit irrelevant, what’s the digital or interactive tie-in this season?
I CHOSE TO SHOW DIGITALLY AGAIN THIS SEASON—JUST ART DIRECTING VIDEO WITH MY DIRECTOR GRACE LADOJA + ANIMATOR WEIRDCORE.
You’ve also said that it’s important to have a live show to keep it special… what will draw people in?
I THINK CATWALK STILL HAS IMPACT BUT I AM MORE INTERESTED IN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES / NEW WAYS TO PRESENT.
How did you choose the music/soundtrack?
THE MUSIC IS ALWAYS SO CRUCIAL TO ANY PROJECT I DO—SOMETIMES I WORK WITH DJs + PRODUCERS—MILO BIG PINK / SILVERLINK / ZOMBY / TELEPATHE / AC BANANAS, BUT THIS SEASON I JUST SELECTED A TRACK I LOVE “GO TO HELL” FROM DIPSET TRANCE PARTY… SOOO HEAVY + EUPHORIC!
Who’s in your gang? What are they like?
THE VIDEO FEATURES A TEENAGE GIRL + BOY DRINKING, SMOKING, AND DANCING IN A BEDROOM. WE BUILT A CP SET/ WORLD (PAINTED BY MY FRIEND BATLOW :)) THE CONCEPT WAS GETTING READY FOR AN “END OF THE WORLD PARTY,” STRAIGHT GREGG ARAKI NOWHERE / DOOM GENERATION.
Where are your favorite places to get inspired on the internet?
I LOVE DIS MAGAZINE—I TOTALLY CONNECT WITH THAT— OTHER THAN THAT, E V E R Y W H E R E! I’M A FUCKIN CYBORG / DOLPHIN.
Is there a certain piece that you design/reinvent every season, like the letterman jacket?
THE SILK DIGITAL PRINT T-SHIRTS ARE A CULT PIECE. WE ALWAYS RELEASE WITH A NEW PLACEMENT PRINT EACH SEASON. THEY COME IN OVERSIZE SILK + JERSEY AND CAN BE WORN AS OVERSIZE TEE OR DRESS :)
Do you have anything exciting in the works after LFW?
YEP, SOME ART SHOWS + DIGITAL PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR + LONDON HAS ITS FIRST MENSWEAR WEEK IN JUNE SO PREPARING FOR THAT.
STRAIGHT AFTER LFW I’M GOING TO SWEDEN TO C THE NORTHERN LIGHTS—FIRST HOLIDAY 4 4EVER!
Recently you’ve collaborated with Ken and Mickey Mouse… do you have any dream pop culture figure collaborations? How would you dress them?
LIKE CHARACTERS? OR REAL PEOPLE ? I’M ACTUALLY OBSESSED WITH + (DISNEY’S) STITCH! I LIKE HIS HAWAIIAN SWAG. I WOULD MAKE NEW PRINTS! + A SCI-FI GRASS SKIRT, LOL.
I’D L O V E TO DO COSTUME FOR FILM! BATMAN! OR THE 2012 VERSION OF WARRIORS!
REAL PEOPLE, I GOT MY DREAMZ = NICKI MINAJ + LIL WAYNE HAVE BOTH WORN CP :) I LOVE TO DRESS MARILYN MANSON!
From left to right: Grace Ladoja, Carri Mundane, and Anna Treveylan.