MYTHOS CHANEL & LAGERFELDS MODELS

We just came back from a few, but wonderful sunny days in Hamborg. And to my big surprise, there actually were a couple of exhibitions, that I was eager to see.

That is above mentioned: Mythos Chanel  at Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe. In the description of the exhibition it says :
"She was very selfconscious, independent and businessminded - Coco Chanel was much more than just a fahion Icon.
She revulotioned the female fashion in the beginning of the 20. century, by making it more usable and comfortable.
She raised  "the little black dress" and invented the suit, that since has carried her name. With great outlook, she already launched her own perfume in the 20´ies and completed her brand Chanel with additional fashion accessoires.
The exhibition displayes on top of 70 original creations, many examples by Karl Lagerfeld, that since1983 have kept the rich in tradition fashionhouse Chanel, up to date." 

 Photo: Daniel Clément

Very fascinating exhibition, that only can be recommended. Especially because you actually could get close enough to the clothes, to see how they were made. The exhibition runs until the 18. of may 2014.

We bought a "combiticket", that also gave us access to Hamborg Kunsthalle, where they by "coincidence" displayed an exhibition, called Feuerbachs Musen - Lagerfelds Models.

Here was a comparation between artist Anselm Feuerbach (1829-80) and Karl Lagerfeld searching to actualize an eternal beauty, based in the Antique ideal.
The overall theme of the exhibition was the Cult of beauty, that makes the model to an Icon. This exhibition runs until the 15. of june 2014.

  Photos: SIK-ISEA (P. Hitz) og Karl Lagerfeld, Moderne Mythologie, 2013, 

(Ausschnitt), © 2013 Karl Lagerfeld

Very interesting, if you are interested in those problems. But also if you´re interested in seeing how a  multitalented Lagerfeld works with art. Check out older posts about Lagerfeld here and there.

ONLINE FASHION SHOPS

I’ve done some reflection about online stores, after my experiences with ETSY and Amino.

On Etsy, there are really big price differences on the products, depending on where in the world they are produced. There is no doubt, that it is difficult for us here in the West to compete with the price of goods produced in the East.

Of course the cost of living plays a role; they do not have the same hourly wage as we have here. 

Another competition parameter is of course the quality, which also depends on the hourly wage. For me to see, the quality is not same at all. But the price of their goods must of course fit into their home markets.

Obviously, of course, there is not much to loose us, if we buy goods from the East and it does not meet our  expectations. I would, however, hesitate to order a dress made in the East if you want to be sure of the quality and fit.

However, the signal value is not to be mistaken if they want customers from the West. They can also sell their items too cheap. Because in the west we expect the price to be related to the quality. Low prices we connect with poor quality. If you’re out to save money, that is of course to your advantage. 

Of course, that also applies the other way around. Our significantly higher prices may seem unattainable for the most part.

In some way you can be so and so international on the internet. But, when far from all places can trade together, due to the different economies, what is the point?

Since our products are more expensive, I think we have to compete on the quality of design, crafts, materials and service, not the least, if want to make an impression. 

 

Do you have any experiences, dealing with the above mentioned or similar places? Share your thoughts!

 

 Pictures from my Jubilee Exhibition 2010, Photos: Daniel Clément

PROFESSIONAL PRIDE

My latest experience as a correction-tailor in "The biggest bridal shop in Denmark" has ended.

I couldn´t really compromise on my work ethics. I wanted to secure that things were all right, when I have had my hands on them. As you probably know, to do it right, takes time.

But time is money, so you had to compromise on the quality! 

The amount of corrections per assignment had to be done in a certain amount of time, to keep the salery-expenses down. In a way understandable, but not always possible. 

That´s why it of course takes an experienced seamstress and not a tailor. But then again, I found that out and got some new experience.

Conclusion: I have to get my sketching-paper out and start to design again.

What is your experience ? -Are you still true to your work ethics or do you compromise?

Inspiring Evening ensemple by british designer, John Cavanagh, 1954.
Photocredit: John French

A NEW EXPERIENCE !

Since last, I´ve started at "The biggest Bridal shop in Denmark", as a correction-tailor in their workshop. We are a small team, that takes care of all the corrections from the fittings of the party- and wedding dresses they sell.

I am getting some new experience and already I´ve found out that it is not something I´m going to do forever.
I have just been confirmed in my own assumptions, how quality and price is linked together. You get what you pay for - nothing less, nothing more.

It can be really frustrating to fix corrections, that staff who haven´t got the knowledge to do, have done. It would be much easier to find the right dress in a size as close to the customer as possible. Then the corrections would be easier to do in time.
Even if the shop has the biggest selection, it can be hard, if there is only one of each, especially if the dress you like, is not available in the right size.

Simply because, there is a limit for, how far from one´s size you can correct a dress, so that it is fitting well without losing all of it´s features.
Some corrections can´t simply not be done and others are so complicated, that it takes hours to fix them. Sometimes it´s actually almost faster to do a new dress instead.

 Inspiring weddingdress from the American designer,  
Irene Lentz (1900 - 1962)

Do I need to say that it´s a completely different story to have a measure made dress made.

Here the starting point will be your mesures, your idéas and wishes. You will get a totally unique wedding dress in a good quality, that fits perfect.

If you are interested, read more under Services in the menu.