OEM Epson provided high lumen laser projection mapping to support the launch of Richard Quinn’s new 2019 fashion range at London Fashion Week. The focus of the fashion show was on Richard Quinn’s designs for the show – which were printed on Epson digital textile printers.
Richard Quinn LFW
British designer Richard Quinn prints dramatic digitally printed textiles and has caught the imagination of the fashion world and A-list celebrities with recent accolades including the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, which was presented to Quinn by Her Majesty the Queen, according to Epson.
As part of Epson’s on-going relationship with the designer, now in its second year, the global technology firm is sponsoring Richard Quinn’s latest London Fashion Week show with the launch of his new range. In addition to having all fabric printed on an Epson SureColor digital textile printer, Epson is also supporting the launch of Richard Quinn’s new 2019 range with stunning ProAV projection mapping designed to dramatically enhance the catwalk experience at the show, the company says.
The sponsorship is an opportunity to showcase Epson’s market-leading capabilities in both ProAV and digital textile printing. Epson and its creative partner CrucialFX are using the latest laser projectors to create an immersive and dramatic atmosphere during the show. The projection mapping will complement Richard’s fashion designs on the catwalk and enhance the impact from a philharmonic orchestra, says the company.
Richard Quinn creates and prints everything for his independent retail customers using an Epson SureColor SC-F9200 inkjet printer. His ability to produce unique high-impact striking designs and colourways for all his outfits using an Epson printer has enabled him to offer each retailer highly customised textile designs, according to Epson. “Each can choose an exclusive textile design composition for each piece which is very exciting for them and their customers,” he says. “No other stockist will carry the same design. That’s the power of digital printing – I have total flexibility to customise designs and produce the exact quantity, without any waste, here in my London studio.”
In addition to the Epson textile printer, Quinn’s studio includes an Epson SureColor SC-S80600 printer, which enables him to produce bespoke paper, vinyl and film coverings for use on walls, windows, floors and to wrap 3D objects. He says: “What’s exciting is that I can design and print customised and limited-edition textiles and wall/floor coverings and shrink wrap materials all under one roof, or work with Epson-equipped specialists all over the world to produce materials close to the venue, secure in the knowledge that the colour vibrancy and high quality will be the same.”
Quinn continues: “This show combines for the first time Epson’s printing and projection world-class technologies – Epson’s passion for pushing their technologies to their limits is very exciting – the printer team has been very supportive and now I can integrate visual imaging to my show.”
Heather Kendle, market development manager, Epson Europe, says: “It’s inspiring to see how Richard is exploring the considerable flexibility of Epson digital textile printing. Our technology is changing the business of fashion, giving designers like Richard more control and a powerful platform to print high-quality designs in a variety of sizes quickly and with customised colours and fabrics. Important too is the environmental benefits that digital printing brings compared to traditional textile printing processes. It uses up to 70% less water, 80% less energy and, by enabling designers to print and produce exact quantities on-site or locally, it dramatically cuts waste. The design potential and impact on the fashion industry is very exciting.”
Neil Colquhoun, executive director, professional displays, Epson Europe, says: “Epson is delighted to support Richard Quinn with the launch of his new 2019 fashion design range at London Fashion Week. The sponsorship has provided Epson with a unique opportunity to demonstrate the powerful impact of projection mapping and shows how we can create stunning, colourful and totally immersive experiences in confined spaces, overlaying and enhancing Richard’s unique designs, using the latest, best-in-market high lumen Epson 3LCD laser projectors.”
Last month Epson and its subsidiaries Fratelli Robustelli and For.Tex launched its most recent digital textile printer, the Monna Lisa Evo Tre 32 8+8. The digital printer allows two different types of inks to be loaded simultaneously. This leads to maximum versatility by making it possible to print on fabrics of different types without having to change the set of inks, and high speed of printing, according to Epson.
The printer’s new features result in quality and productivity due to the 32 Precision Core heads is configured with the 8+8 external rack that permits the double ink set, eight Genesta acid inks and eight Genesta reactive inks to be loaded, the company adds.
The software driven machine makes it possible to switch from using reactive inks for cellulose fibres, such as cotton, viscose or linen, to using acid inks required for protein fibres as silk and wood, and polyamide synthetic fibres, with unprecedented ease and speed, the company continues.
