Simon Costin

Simon Costin – internationally renowned Art Director speaks at CCAD

In mid-October we launched our new season of CCAD Creative TALKS with an inspiring talk by Simon Costin.

Simon talked us through the arc of his career – from assisting Derek Jarman through his work with Alexander McQueen, Hermes, Gareth Pugh and many others.  He had just completed his latest project – a joint Hermes/Apple product launch on the Apple Watch.

Throughout his talk Simon used astonishing imagery of his work (and media coverage of his more controversial pieces).  For me one message was clear – creativity and amazing results don’t need to come from spending a fortune (though a £5m party was mentioned) a striking and original catwalk show can cost as little as £65 to build.  No – the creative spark comes from those unique collaborations between artists in different disciplines, photographers, designers, film makers.

Simon gave a clear steer to future creatives about persevering with their work and the need to develop networks and take the opportunities that present themselves.  He told us about his big early break designing avant garde jewellery; how when travelling on the tube wearing a talon brooch this caught in a fellow passengers coat – that passenger was head of jewellery at Liberty…the rest is history.