SCIENCE FICTION FASHION

The other day, I discovered Lady Gaga on YouTube and became fascinated by the costumes and the way her theatrical music video was staged.

A modern, not to say a very futuristic expression, which clearly reflects the time we live in.

Her outfit was created by the English designer Alexander McQueen, whose latest show, spring 2010 was highly futuristic inspired by the new trend: Tribal, which can be translated into a tribe or with some good will, folklore.

The show contained many short dresses in special cuts, with historical references and print / material mix, which was staged in a remarkable way, with grotesque high, almost deformed shoes and special haircuts.

The cooperation or agreement between McQueen and Lady Gaga will of course benefit both parties so they get the best exposure in the media. That is quite obvious!

Also take a look McQueen's amazing show for this season, Fall / Winter 2009/2010 here.

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

FASHION JUBILEE-EXHIBIT

In 2010 it is 10 years since I became self-employed and of course it is going to be marked with an anniversary exhibition at Kunstbygningen at Filosofgangen in Odense, where I also had my graduation exhibition in 1999.

The exhibition will consist of ten custom-designed dresses. Among these will be a model specifically designed for the Crown Princess, another made in a special sequins fabric from Karl Lagerfeld, as well as models made in fabrics purchased in Canada, that are not available at home.

The models are designed and must now be constructed. After that they are produced continuously for the exhibition.
Subscribe to my newsletter by email on the contact page and get an invitation to the anniversary exhibition. Write "newsletter" and the invitation to celebrate will be posted in early February.

THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Here is the real story behind The Devil wears Prada. 

Anna Wintour has been Editor in Chief for Vogue for more than 20 years and is the single most important figure inside the fashion-world. Hiding behind her big sunglasses and hairstyle she has never let anyone get near herself or her work with Vogue, so far! 

In R.J.Cutlers new film-documentary The September Issue we get a glimpse of a world, we only believed, we knew something about.
But perhaps only with Anna Wintour´s consent to give another image of her, than you got in The Devil wears Prada.

Take a look at the trailer from the film here. You can find the film together with other exciting fashion films on Amazon.

COUTURE Vs. READY-MADE

What is the difference really about getting a dress designed from buying it off the rack? What characterizes one from the other?

A designed dress is made to order and sewn after measurements, fitted and adjusted over several times, to get the best fit. It is usually more elaborate and made in some quality materials.

This is a time consuming process. But then the dress is also totally unique, because it is one-of-a-kind and the price of course reflects that.
If you get a dress made to order, the price depends on the model, the cuts, the details, the fabric and the fabrication method, as well as the amount of money you are willing to spend on yourself.
It is always agreed in advance so people know what to expect. They get what they pay for.

Ready-to-wear is, on the other hand, cheaper because it is mass-produced in a completely different quality in China or Eastern Europe, where labor costs are much lower. So of course, price and quality also reflects this.

The profits of the shops are usually 3.5 times the production price of the mass-produced product. For example, if you buy a piece of clothes for 500, - DKK, it approximately costs  140, - DKK to get it produced.
The producers must also have a profit, so what is left is what the workers/seamstresses in the countries concerned receive.

TV2FYN-REVIEW OF FASHIONSHOW

Read more about the Fashion Show that took place to support cancer-patients at TV2Fyn´s website.

You can still make your bit on the dress I created for this event, by going to the online auction at Lauritz and support the great cause. The pink dress is shown here in front together with vintage dresses from The Collection of Time / Tidens samling.

A MASTER CLASS

Tailors, designers and craftsmen of clothing is hereby called on to take a closer look at Master Class-courses at Odense Fagskole.

The Courses for educated professionals, with the focus on craft, quality and fashion, is founded to develop your qualifications / the craft and at the same time it give you opportunity to network with your colleques.

The teachers are all very competent within their field. The Catalogue for these exciting courses you can get by contacting the School.

MADELEINE VIONNET EXHIBITION

The museum, Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris, is currently celebrating Madeleine Vionnet with a large exhibition. The fashion designer donated 200 dresses, 750 dress patterns and 75 photo albums to the museum in 1952. Selected Avantgarde models from the period 1912-1939 have been carefully restored and are now finally exhibited.

Madeleine Vionnet was the founder of the bias-cutting technique and her career was characterized by her quest for freeing the female body with her refined draped dresses inspired by form and function, anatomy, architecture, contemporary and classical art.

She was an innovative and progressive fashion designer who still inspires contemporary designers like Issey Miyake, Yamamoto, Alaia and John Galliano for Dior.
You can read the whole fascinated story in this new book by Pamela Golbin, which can be purchased at Amazon.

The exhibition lasts until 31 January 2010.