AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – Last week there were lots of designers, an impressive amount of 25 fashion shows, presentations, expositions and lectures passed in review! The front row was packed with famous Dutch people and everyone spoke about the great amount of ‘budget models’, the ‘vibe’, the ‘ haute retail’ and the ‘feeling for tailoring’!! Sunday was the closing of the AIFW, The Official Closing Party @ Werck. With enthusiastic foreign press and hairdressers (the party was sponsored by Redken!) it wasn’t what I expected! Although there was a good vibe with help from the dj’s and the saxophonist. The glitter confetti made a nice entourage!!

Pictures: Philippine Kaiser/Fesjon.com

The collection of Karssenberg Greidanus came across as moody and a little dark, but not completely. The designers Sanna Karssenberg and Cleo Greidanuswere playing with the contrasts rough and refined. They used ‘colorless’ fabrics like beige on one hand and gray, brown and black on the other.

The ways in which they played with the shapes of their creations had some obvious contrasts. They had tight dresses, skirts and tops, but created some items that allowed the fabrics to comfortably hang around the models bodies. A leather pants with a harem feel to it, is a great example of the ways in which the designers tried to mix edginess with ease in one design. They did this by using wool and leather, or a dark  and beige colored fabrics.

Some of the models were carrying chains, studs and spikes  as apart of their garment as they strolled down the runway. Their collection may look quite simple, or plain, but contains quite a lot of details. And designers, despite the moody feel this collection may seem to transcend, still allowed the softer and more delicate pieces to reveal their strength.

Pictures: Peter Stigter

Last week, on the second day of AIFW, the monography: Fong Leng, about the Chinese-Dutch fashion designer Fong Leng was presented. The book is written by Karin Schacknat en describes the way in which Leng’s designs influenced the Dutch and international fashion industry.

Fong Leng opened a studio on the P.C. Hoofstraat – nowadays known for its collection of designer shops. “Back than it was more fun” she says during a short interview that was held on a small podium that was build for the occasion. She broadened the boundaries of fashion by creating one of a kind pieces which were considered as art.

Leng showed that getting dressed, to her, is more about more than being functional. She wore big shades, carried a rather mean fur (real or fake) around her shoulders and it almost completly dressed in red. All the way down to her shoes and her leggings. It’s (obviously) her moment.

You do not have to know who she is, in order to notice her. She stands out. The funny thing is, when she was asked to explain what made her unique, she quite honestly answered that she didn’t know. “I’m just different.” Young designers she explains should follow the impulses of their hearts and act on it.

Leng’s works of art can be found in different (Dutch) museums. You can also, however, buy her book if you would love to read more about the designer and study her creations. The book is sold for € 14,95 at the online shops of Selexyz and the AKO.

Pictures: Amy Simpe/Fesjon.com

Last Saturday January 30th OntFront presented their fifth men collection. This time speed, extra HP, spinning wheels was the theme of this show.
“I always loved the esthetic’s from car design. Spyker, Lamborghini… the lines and aerodynamic shape of the fast cars have been the base for the fifth collection.” says Liza Koifman.

The basic colours were very dark such as ‘asphalt’ anthracite and ‘rubber’ black with eggplant and red as accent colours. The fabrics are from Italy and France. Next to the traditional fabrics they also used water-resistant fabrics.

The collection has 68 pieces; from coats, t-shirts, jeans, shirts till unique blazers all very stylish. Just like the previous Fashion Week we at Fesjon also liked this collection it’s really fashion forward.

After the designers duo returned from Hong Kong Fashion Week we had the opportunity to interview the designers.

Images courtesy of Mariana Davelaar/Fesjon.com

And Beyond impressed a lot of people and visitors last friday during their “Smoke” presentation at the AIFW. In the machine building the duo presented their collection in a dark place with literally a lot of smoke. The spotlights were directed on the glass cabinets where you could see the collection. Everybody was fascinated and walked a few times in a round to see all designs.

The very nice duo, Jolanda van den Broek and Brigitte Hendrix, presented their wearable designs in a very magical way. The collection features dark colors like black and grey with a lot of prints. Literally everything went up in smoke.

A very original idea to distinguish theirselves from all participating designers of AIFW 2010. It wasn’t a traditional catwalkshow including models. Curious? Soon you can see the interview Fesjon had with the designersduo.

Picture: Mariana Davelaar/Fesjon.com

Phoenix, the mythical animal, is the inspiration for the fifth ready to wear collection of MATTIJS. Mattijs van Bergen (his real name) wants to bring style icons such as Marylin Monroe and Rita Hayworth to life. The iconic heroines of white canvas shine in Van Bergens fantasy in fluttering forms. The classic couture feeling of the ’40′s will be translated to modern clothing.

We definitely saw this in his collection during the opening of Amsterdam International Fashion Week, last Wednesday. The collection is very elegant and glamorous. The collection features colors like black, gold, red and turquoise. The models showed (festive) dresses, long dresses, coats, chic pantsuits, blazers and skirts with real feathers. We also noticed the beautiful black/ silver pumps and boots. Read More

The room is filled with the sound of crunching ice, a model carefully walks on top of  the ice  and walk on to the catwalk. His hair is covered with snow and ice.

For the fourth collection of the label Kim Bakker was inspired by the most southern extremity of Earths axis. In this place of eternal winter, Roald Amundsen accompanied by six travel companions and 16 husky’s was the first man in 1911 how reach the heart of the South pole.
The explorers endured great hardship, in their voyage through a white geometrical landscape that stood in contrast with the rocks. Read More

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — Last Friday a long wait was rewarded. SuperTrash would be THE show of this years Fashion Week. Rumors were whispered that the SuperTrash goodiebags were filled with iPhones, valuable cheques and expensive sunglasses. Also would Keith Richard’s daughter Alexandra Richards sit front row! I can only confirm that last rumor to be true. Alexandra sat a hand reach from my seat! The goodiebag I was trying to grab didn’t make it to my hand!!

The collection was inspired on Cleopatra, queen of the old Egypt. A powerful, self conscious and tempting woman. Exactly what a woman should have to wear this new collection! The dress length was Super Short and the fit Super Tight. A bit too Super Trashy? I do not think so. Beautiful knitting was shown (just tell me, how trashy is knitting?!) and the color palet was a decent earth ground. Unfortunately with a golden border here and there…

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In 2008 Elsien Gringhuis graduated from ArtEZ academy for art in Arnhem. The fall/winter 2010/2011 collection is here second collection she is presenting during Amsterdam International Fashion Week since than.

Elsien won in 2008 the prestigious Createurope contest, the most creative collection of the year award from the Italian Mittelmoda, the Hema design contest and got nominated for lichting 2008 and the Frans Molenaar award.

The fall/winter 2010-2011 collection give you the feeling to be trapped in the hyper modern mechanic and rushing. The geometric forms and high closed round turtle necks reflecting the mechanic, artificial and trapped feeling. Because of the  fixed structure Neoprene is playing the leading roll in this collection. Read More

You will be carried along and immediately overwhelmed by the latest collection of Camilla Norrback. It is a gripping drama. Gripping, but also modest and sober, because  nobody ever may find out the true about the escape of you and your boyfriend.. Is it a play or reality? Totally back to the Amish.. Suddenly you live in Pennsylvania, Lancaster County en you want to be free.. delivered from the Strict and old-fashioned Amish  Community.
You still wear your flower shirt and you wear it together with your striped cardigan.

No more tufts in your hair. Feel the wind in your hair..you put on your booties.. Just in time… you grab your cognac colored doctor-bag and leave… Nothing can happen to you…
This is your escape to another world.. far away.. Let me take you far away… The Amish times live again here at Camilla Norrback. Re-ecologic! Long live to the flowers, long woolen cardigans for both. For men as well! Suede shoes and the crepe soles. Also the puffed sleeve runs high! There are puffed sleeves but also puffed skirts! His trousers will be rolled up. Maybe you have to cross wild rivers during this flight. The water is high! Read More