`Keep your Eye on the Doughnut´

The recipient of the 2010 MoMu Award was Mariel Manuel (°1987, Lausanne, Switzerland).

In this online exhibit, we'll explore her graduate collection ‘Keep your Eye on the Doughnut’ as well as her 3rd year collection ‘What happens in the Grotto, stays in the Grotto...’.

Mariel Manuel: “From treetops to the bottom of the ocean, ‘Keep your Eye on the Doughnut’ takes you into a world of mystery and imagination.…

The two collections presented in this exhibition depict stories: ironic, humorous or romantic situations in which garments take life.

Throughout my work, I like to create my own stories and work around memories and clichés of certain places, countries and atmospheres.

The combination and play between a wide range of different fabrics such as fake fur, latex, colourful hand-designed prints, appliqué, embroidery, or layered seaweed clippings out of shiny silk and latex hold an important place in my work.

Claws and vertebrae start growing out of the garments and gloves. Men and women are in love, religiously hidden behind long lace veils. They declare their love by looking into each others' eyes with deep laser-like looks. Welcome into my world!”

Following her graduation, Mariel Manuel was first working under Nicolas Ghesquière at the Balenciaga design studio, then under Alexander Wang. In 2013, she was called to join the new creative direction team at Paco Rabanne, where she worked as creative force next to Julien Dossena for four years.

Afterwards, Mariel decided to dedicate her time and energy to her own personal creative projects which have been vital alongside professional work since graduation. She works in an array of creative expression, mainly illustrations for magazines, textile prints, painting exhibitions, book publications, creative 3D garment design for brands and photo shoots. She gives workshops and is a consultant for different brands.

www.marielmanuel.com