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.

CHANGE OF PLANS

Erik Mortensen (1926-98) for Balmain

Time and again plans are changing. . . Due to different circumstances.
I am looking for another collaboration - to display all my clothes for a big discount-sale, as I told you about in this post a couple of weeks ago.

Is there any shops or empty rooms out there, that needs some attention or is up for a collaboration ? If you know of something, feel free to suggest it!

For any reference, I will give you extra discounts on top of my offers! -Or a very good price for placing a new order!

- Sharing is caring -

IN SEARCH OF JEANS!

Formal pants - no thanks! It´s just not me. . .

After I regained my ideal weight and went down at least one size - to waist 34/36 length, I went Jeans hunting yesterday - but all in vain!

-At least at my age it seems quite difficult to find a decent pair of jeans. Maybe I´m to picky and looking in the wrong places, partly because I don´t want to pay a fortune.

I find it kind of pathetic to look like a "rockstar" - in skinny jeans at my age. They fit me, but I just don´t like how I´m looking. I´m just wondering, if I am the only one who has that problem ?  

If not, there is probably a good niche in the jeans-marked here. -Or at least for a more flexible jeans production.

Conclusion - once again, I have to do them myself !

I will post the result, when I have a pair done - in time.

But at least I found myself a new pair of nice shoes instead, which can be quite difficult too. -It felt so good.

- Sharing is caring -

ATTENTION - FOLLOWERS ONLY!

 Photo Art by John Frantsen

Pre-Sale is a special offer only for the followers here on my blog.

If you want to have a first glance before the official event, that I described in my last post.
Just sign up as a follower and book a personal appointment to get a look and try on some of the temptations. I´ll give you 10 % off on top of the discounts.

- Sharing is caring -

TOTE BAGS - INSIDE OUT

Here is my latest project - another adventure into the world of bag design.

These two tote bags are made of reinforced silk and a golden fake leather. They are of course fully lined in solid cotton with a build in pocket. The dimensions are 15 x 30 x 45 cm.

 Photos: John Frantsen

If you like what you see, they are still available. But I do take orders as well, if you have a special wish.

ANNIVERSARY - GIVE AWAY

Soon it´s about 5 years ago, I started this blog - It calls for a celebration! And I hope that you are into celebrating with me. . .

It´s going to happen with a nice Give Away, that will keep you warm this coming Autumn/Winter.

I guess it´s also time for some kind of a status of my blog too. . .
Back then I started out, because I wanted to interact and share creative projects, thoughts and ideas. I was hoping to inspire and get inspired. 
I use blogging as a way of expression and to share idéas, fashion design, projects as well as commenting on lifestyle and what is going on culturally, from my point of view.

I still like to blog, but I have to admit it is not always rewarding in terms of interacting and sharing.

Okay now - The Give Away - Coming up, is this unique multi-coloured wool Poncho with a big asymmetric collar. It is One-Size and has a value of kr. 900,-

Photo: John Frantsen

 Here are the conditions:

To participate you have to leave a comment under this post, with some feed back.

Mention the Give Away and link back to this post from your own blog, if you have one.

Good luck everyone. The lucky winner will be announced on october the 14.

JUST BAGS !

Here is a little special collection of bags for different occasions, as inspiration.
They are all One-of-a-kind. If you like them and want something similar, I do special orders too.

Let me know what you think. Have a nice weekend out there everybody.

Design & Photos: John Frantsen

BIG CHANGES!

Maybe you wonder why ?
The reason is that I recently officially had to close down my company. Unfortunately I finally had to realize it didn´t work out the way it should.

That doesn´t mean I am giving up my profession though. I just believe that I am in the wrong place/market for what I do.

Because, I can´t live without creating, so that I will continue to do somehow. I will even take special orders by any chance.

But like I said before, I am mainly going to concentrate on designing for now and learning french. . .
-And of course trying to keep up posting!

So, I am very interested in. . .

-New career opportunities
-Job inquiries
-Expertise requests
-Business deals
-Reference requests
-Getting back in touch.

IDÉAS Vs TIME

 Photo Art by John Frantsen

Maybe I wrote about this subject before, but nevertheless I find it worth another post.

If you are creative, you are probably familiar with this issue. . . when you get new idéas all the time. Personally I can´t keep up, finishing things before new idéas show up. It´s kind of frustrating, when you find them very present.
As you know, things takes time, when you're responsible for every step of the process yourself - especially to execute unique clothes.

But maybe one should get allied with an investor or fashion company, that has the means and the capacity to make things happen ?

In case you are an investor or a big fashion company that are looking for new idéas or something new and interesting to invest in. Take a look around here on my blog and don´t hesitate if you like what you see!

On top I would like to hear from you, if you have any experiences with investors. Feel free to comment ;o)

A NEW YEAR AHEAD !

Hello Everybody! I´m back. . .

-In case you wonder what I have been up to since my last post. First of all, around Christmas and New Years Eve, I was hit by a virus for almost 14 days. On top, I had to clear my workroom, to make room for a Canadian visitor, staying 14 days.

Now everything is back to normal and I have to get on with different projects. So what are my plans for this year?
First of all, I went through my stock and decided that I have to use at least some of it, before buying new stuff. Right now I am doing a winter jacket for my partner.
Apart from that, I´m open for new orders and assignments - Anyone ? Check out my Service.

This year, I would really like to get some of my designs out there, to be more visible. Also for our common project, Design Galleriet. So I/we are looking for display-windows and ultimately our own workshop/ showroom, where we can be more creative and productive and sell our designs.

Maybe you have some rooms or know someone who has ? Please think of us then.

What about you? Anything to share?

UNIQUE BAG COLLECTION

As an addition to our new concept, "En Duo" at DESIGN GALLERIET, i have created a small and simple bag collection, consisting of : A Shopper, A Handbag and Party bag.

It is my first bags ever. It was quite fun to work with proportions and combine that with colours and textures. I would really like to pursue that somehow. Orders are welcome!

Design and photo: John Frantsen

LOUNGE WEAR

Long time, no see. I have been quite busy launching our new blog - DESIGN GALLERIET - and preparing for our pop-up Blog events at Cadenhead´s Whiskyshop here in Odense.

By the way, our GIVE AWAY is soon running out. So go there to support us and have a chance to win one of our asymetric Cloaks.

Apart from that I just wanted to bring you a little inspiration for Christmas parties coming up soon. I hope to post at least few times before that, so stay tuned.

Design and photos: John Frantsen

Model: Sofie

WINTER CLOAKS

The dark cold season is approaching. . .
- And surprisingly most people have a tendency to wear dark and dull colours, that most certainly doesn´t call for a happy spirit. Maybe because it is the easiest solution.

But actually colours have this wonderful effect, that they can prevent even the most darkest and depressing winter mood. Of course it demands that you take a conscious choice.

On our new blog - Design Galleriet - we are displaying a choice of asymmetric Cloaks, that heats up your winter-spirit. Win one in our Give Away.

You just have to sign up and leave a comment, to say which colour combination you prefer. The winner will be announced the 12th of December. Good luck everyone.

SOMETHING IS GOING ON !

 -A teaser by "En Duo", our new concept.

Just to reassure you all, I´m still here. . .  and something is going on.

We are working on some new autumn/winter items and will soon launch our new blog/showroom, where you eventually will be able to purchase some of them. . .

When it´s up, we will offer you all the chance to win an item of your own choice, if you pay us a visit and leave a comment. So stay tuned!

Notice! The new blog is only in danish, so far.

LOCATION - STILL NOT FOUND !

PhotoArt by John Frantsen 2013

We were already excited about our newly found location, but things took another turn again. We changed our minds after we had read the Contract.

Even though the location was perfect - a nice sized shop with a workshop and a big window display, the conditions of the rent and terms, were not in our favor. 

So we decided to change our focus and will now concentrate on our production and build up a new blog with all that we have to offer. So stay tuned, if you are up for special offers in the future.

LOCATION FOUND

PhotoArt by John Frantsen 2013

At last we have succeeded in finding a workshop/showroom for our new concept - THE STYLE GALLERY, like i wrote about in my previous post.

There will be a lot of preparations, such as painting, cleaning, window signs and not the least all the content that have to be ready, as mentioned before.
There will be some busy weeks ahead of us, before we open THE STYLE GALLERY. I will try to keep up my posting about it all, so stay tuned.

THE STYLE GALLERY

"FASHION FADES, ONLY STYLE REMAINS THE SAME"

                                                                                         Coco Chanel

THE STYLE GALLERY - Is the name of our coming workshop/showroom situated here in Odense.

As I have mentioned before, it will be a place where you will be able to find something special that you won´t find anywhere else.
We will offer our new collection of unique pieces, measure made designs, art and photography. Take a look at The Dress Archive to get an idea.

In the making we are also looking for other creative people, that for the amount of 500,- per month, can sell their creations - it can be fashion- and Jewellery design, Accessoires, Art etc., that fits our concept. Maybe you know someone ?

We are of course looking for Style Sponsors and -Contributors too. Sponsors who believe in our concept and wants to support a business like ours in the making. . .
There will be different levels of contributing, so that whatever you choose to contribute with, you will always get rewarded somehow:

Amounts up till 200,- will always be deducted your next purchase. 

If you want to contribute 500,- or more, there will be benefits on top of the deduction, like invitations for special events.

For even bigger contributions, you will get a discount on every purchase you make.

Another way of getting benefits, is to sign up and become a true Style-Member for 500,- yearly, you will be the first to know about special offers and events, by a monthly newsletter.

Please comment if you have any questions.
Sign up and become a Style Contributor via contact.

Update! April 2018. This project no longer exist, due to different circumstances.

NEW DEVELOPMENT !

PhotoArt by John Frantsen 2013

Sometimes things changes fast. We are not moving to the basement of another shop, like I wrote in my last post. A recent incident made us change our minds.
I believe there is a meaning for everything that happens - and we were not meant to be there. Something better is ahead.
We decided to look for an Atelier instead and we are open for everything that shows up. Even to share some rooms with other creative people could be an option.

Are you a Clothes-, Jewellery- or Accessoire designer, Artist or Photographer, looking for new inspirational facilities, don´t hesitate to contact us. If not, spread the word, please!

A BRAND NEW WORKSHOP

Remember my wish last year ?  My wish is finally coming true. . .

Model: Trine Bolander

Photo: John Frantsen

A new chapter is about to start. I have been given the opportunity to start a brand new workshop with my dear friend, Rikke.
The workshop is situated not far from where I live. In the big basement of a shop at the end of Kongensgade, here in Odense, with actual access for the public.
Maybe not an obvious choice, but the basement is big and has a nice view from the street. I´m definately looking forward to be more visible and available again.  -And to cooperate with the shop on top.

We will offer a brand new collection of One-of-a-kind items, our own designs and eventually paintings and photoart.

If you are looking for something special and unique, you might find it. We are looking forward to see you there ;o) Different events is coming up, so stay tuned.

BUSINESS CARD INSPIRATION

Hello out there!
I hope that you´re all well and had a really nice holiday.
Todays story is about inspiration from the past. Some years back I came across a business card from my fathers late cousin, Elisabeth Mikkelsen. She was a beauty-therapist back then and had a good sense of design, as you can see here. 

I was quite impressed. So much, that I in fact got inspired to create my own version of her Business card.

Front 9,5 x 15 cm

Prices and introduction inside.

 

Backside.

 

It was quite fun working with Design and Lay-out, like that for a change. Leave a comment below and tell me what you think?