NUDE COCKTAIL DRESS

For a few years my designing has been on hold, due to my art journey. But, for some time I have thought about finally getting back to it, to finish up a few projects.

The first one is this classic nude cocktail dress, I started while living in Montreal. It’s made of an underlined Dupion silk.

Photos and Design: John Frantsen 

I had a hard time to find the right colour and quality of lining here though. But, on my last trip to Denmark I found some. So, no more excuses for not finishing it.

Coming up next; a few more tops in green and light pink, but the same cut. Just need to add different skirts. Stay tuned.

This dress is about a size 8, if anyone should be interested. But, of course something similar can be made-to-measure, if you’re not that size. You are welcome to contact me to inquire or if you have any questions.

Until next time.

BALENCIAGA - MAÎTRE DE LA COUTURE

All photos by John F. Clément

It was something I have been looking forward to since it was announced, the exhibition Balenciaga - Maître de la Haute Couture, at Musée McCord here in Montreal.
The exhibition is organized by Victoria & Albert Museum, London and presented by Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy.

Balenciaga was and still is a great source of inspiration for all designers. I have posted about him
before I even saw his creations in person. Follow this link to read previous post.
In addition the exhibition contains a full room of past and contemporary designer dresses, to show how influential he really was and still is.

For now I will just show some of the pictures I took and then eventually adding more, after I finished the book I purchased.

 

All photos by John F. Clément

If you are a fashion student, a keen home-sewer or just appreciate great, innovative and timeless design, it is a absolute must see. I am definitely going to revisit this exhibition a few more times, before it ends, Sunday October 14, 2018.

SIMPLICITY

-Never goes out of style.
If you have been following me here, you may have noticed that lately I have been on a quest to simplify designs where ever I can. It usually starts with some inspirations, that generate an idea and some experimentation during the pattern-making.
Maybe a reaction on all the elaborate, extravagant and outrageous fashion that is going on these days.

As an example, here is one of my latest creations.

Design and photo by John F. Clément

I like the color-combination of red and bordeaux. It is unusual, but quite dramatic.

I used a nice underlined bordeaux silk-duchess, for this dress with a built in corset.
The fitted and boned foundation-corset is supporting and holding up the dress. The skirt has several layers of tulle; not quite enough though. The dress is about a size 8, should you be interested. 

Though it is very gratifying to produce and execute these designs, it is very time-consuming, when you are doing everything yourself. 

 
I'm seriously considering going back to just design and having things made by someone, that specializes in that.

FOLLOW CONSCIOUSLY

Long time, no see. . . here on the blog. Hope you´re all well.

I haven´t really been able to maintain this blog, since I decided to focus on Instagram, which I find easier to update and maintain for now.

I will keep this blog open though, not to loose the content.
If you are new to this blog, you will find my personal opinion on various fashion related subjects and projects I have completed. Check out the labels and the menu for additional info. Feel free to connect, if you have any questions.

Trine posing in show-dress by John Frantsen

But  as I am looking through some of all these Instagram-accounts, I can´t help wondering. 

-There seems to be this general urge to get as many followers as possible. There is people and companies who offer to help you and even online classes to do that, so you can monetize and become profitable. That's very important. . .
A lot of brands and celebrities are very popular as well. Some are only takers; they are following 0.
At least I hope they are conscious and responsible about what effect they have and use their influence in a good way.

There are even mothers, who are in charge of their young kids accounts, to promote and maintain their popularity and to get the attention they probably never had themselves. I can´t help feeling sorry for those kids.

Some people even follow, just to unfollow. Check for yourself, if you search for them under your followers. I personally block them.

Please be critical, because you can buy followers and some people really do. Think twice, because if they only have a few pictures and a lot of followers, they are most likely not real ones.

What YOU should ask yourself before you follow whoever, is, WHY they are there and if you want to support that.

Ultimately you should follow your own dreams - instead of others ! What are your thoughts ?

- Sharing is caring -

ONCE UPON A TIME. . .

Model: Trine, Photo: Karen Relster

-There was a small shop, situated in Overgade, Odense, Denmark. The shop was named, John Frantsen Couture.

At John Frantsen Couture all your dreams, regarding dressing for whatever occasion, fulfilled.
As owner and designer, I created made to measure and fulfilled every clients wish. From that time, I have many good memories and nice experiences with various clients.

I even tried to pass on my knowledge by taking in as many apprentices as I could.
Since then, years went by, where I subsequently changed business name a few times, due to different circumstances. 

This might have passed unnoticed, but nevertheless I continued my business from my own private home.

Even though it´s a rarity these days, I am still holding on to this metier, because I am very passionate about it.

The Atelier, where I am fulfilling the wishes of every individual customer, conscious of style and quality, still exists to this day.

For more info, take a look at the Services at the top-menu or explore the Galleries.

Old customers are very welcome to share their experiences here on my blog. -In what ever language they prefer  ;o)

MUSE OR DRESS AMBASSADOR ?

I am offering you the opportunity to make a good deal, without compromising quality and style.

Especially if you are going to a premiere or another big event. If this sound as something for you, you have to come forward and contact me as soon as possible.

Another possibility is of course to become one of my permanent Dress Ambassadors or maybe even my muse.

Hubert de Givenchy with his muse, Audrey Hepburn

In both cases we need to met and make an agreement. You get a good deal, in return for making an effort to look as good as possible.

Just get in contact, if you think it would be worth it. See you.

A NEW SALON

Since I / we haven´t been lucky looking for a new workshop/showroom, I decided to rearrange my workshop and showroom and move it into our living room, to have it more presentable.

The Salon Collection is displayed here. I´m open for business and have some very good offers, if you or you and your friends would like to take a closer look and try some of the dresses. Just get in touch and make an appointment.

 Photos: John Frantsen

Read more about what I can offer in Services and take a look of some of the dresses in the Dress Gallery. I´m looking forward to see you.

CLASSIC DRESS

I was just wondering what you think of this dress. It´s one of the first dresses I made. The layered skirt is made of silk-organdy and the corset is made of a silk-brocade.

I always try to keep the design pretty simple and use interesting fabrics and colors, instead of some elaborate design, that fades in time.
Does it still hold up or do you think it looks dated ? Do I keep it or not?

Model: Trine. Photo: John Frantsen

LA HAUTE COUTURE Á L’HONNEUR

For your information, if you didn´t know! Right now, The City Hall of Paris is celebrating Haute Couture with this exhibition. It gives you a great opportunity to admire some exceptional examples of haute couture dresses and outfits, selected among the most beautiful pieces in the Galleria Museum collections. 

The exhibition tells the story of what we today call a luxury industry, characterised by creativity and high expertise, created by flamboyant designers and uniquely talented seamstresses.

A must see for everyone who loves and admires the history, design and craft of Haute Couture. Follow this link to all the practical information and see the teaser.

VALENTINO - A REVIEW

The retrospective Valentino exhibition at Somerset House was also quite an experience. . . It looked very impressive the way the dresses were lined up as an audience.

But that meant that we, the audience had to zig zag down the catwalk or walk aginst the stream of people, if you decided to look at one side first. So there was no way to get around and study the dresses.

From this retrospective selection I noticed the lack of consistency and cohesiveness, maybe because it was displayed by theme instead of chronological.

No doubt that Valentino is a Master of Couture. His dresses are very feminine, elegant and impeccable made, though to intricate sometimes.
I must admit I was not that impressed by his designs, except the early ones. They had a certain style to them. But that is as always a matter of taste.

Have a nice weekend out there everyone.

Photos: Daniel Clément

INSIDE THE EXHIBITION

Some time ago I promised to show you a few pics from The Hartnell to Amies - couture by Royal appoint-ment - exhibition at The Fashion and Textile Museum in London.

"This retrospective exhibition of ground-breaking London designers Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Frederick Fox celebrates the timeless elegance of fashionable London couture. The consummate design skills of these men, publicised worldwide by the patronage of the Royal Family, helped to reestablish Britain´s reputation as an international Fashion Center after the Second World War."

  Extract from the Exhibition-Catalogue.

Photos: John Frantsen

I was a very nice experience for someone who is into design, craftmansship and fashion-history. The coming days I will show a few more pictures of design sketches and accessories. So stay tuned.

LONDON WEEKEND

This past weekend we spent in London. We managed to look at the Fashion exhibition above, just in time. It was the last day. 

In the afternoon we went to Somerset House to look at Valentino. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos. But I promise to write reviews and show you a few pictures from the first exhibition later on. 

Photos: Daniel Clément

Before that I have to finish a few commissions: A fitting for a lace dress is coming up, a few bags and some alterations. Not to mention our Project.

Update! -about my last post. We changed our minds and are not moving anywhere for now.

NEW FASHION FABRICS

As promised here are the new fabrics, that I purchased in Montreal. I draped them on a mannequin to make you imagine what could become of them.

This beautiful silk-piece would be perfect for a woman who is not afraid to stand out.

This neutral, but effectful silk-organdy could even be used for a short wedding- or cocktaildress.

Last, but not least this "burned-out"-piece could be a nice choice for a premiere or an evening out.

If you would like to be dressed in one of them, please don´t hesitate. There is only enough for one-dress-of-a-kind and you will not see anybody else look-a-like.

ATELIER OR SHOP ?

- Is today's question and dilemma.
I originally started out with a small shop in Overgade here in Odense, that I had for three years.

Since then, I have moved my Atelier home and worked from various locations.

A glimpse into the Atelier, Photos: John Frantsen

There are advantages and disadvantages either way.

In a shop you get exposed all the time, which is very crucial when you´re new and want to get noticed.
On the other hand, it limits you, because you are not able to produce new designs at the same time you have to take care of the customers.

I decided to move my business home, to gain more time to design and produce clothes, to be able to pay more attention to customers with an appointment and of course to save some expenses.
The only thing is that you loose exposure and don´t get the same attention, because you are not visible in the same way.

As you are starting out, you´ll have to find out WHO and WHERE your potential customers are, to be right on target. It is as important as the product!

To survive on a limited budget you need to be clever. You need to get some attention somehow or you might as well give up and close down.

What to do if you do not have a shop ? -You have to advertise, be on the internet, write newsletters, participate in events, dress celebrities and so on.

I hope you found these advices useful somehow.

I´m curious. . .
As a customer, what would you prefer ? Do you prefer ready-made clothes and a big selection to choose from or exclusivity and service? Please comment below.