A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

Hello out there ! Long time, no see.
Just wanted to wish you all a very. . .

 -and a Happy New Year.

You might wonder what I have been up to, since I didn´t blog for a while. I decided to focus on what I really like to do - designing and crafting.

To reflect that, I started out a new blog somewhere else - and as you know, everything takes time.
Though I am not giving up this blog after all the effort I put into it, I will only post when I have something to show or say.

- Sharing is caring -

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 its a completely different story to have a made-to-measure 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.

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 do my own Business card version.

9,5 x 15 cm

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

MUSES OF INSPIRATION

I would like to find a new muse/model for fittings and photo shoots. Is it you or someone you know ?

Muses were the goddesses of Inspiration for literature, science and the Arts in Greek Mythology.

Today as back then, artists and designers often gets inspiration from living "muses", like friends, models, Style Icons, actresses etc. I have a few good friends that have been an inspiration like that. . .

Muses: Trine and Lisbeth

Photos: John Frantsen

It has to be a Muse who can inspire, collaborate and challenge me. 

Requirements are difficult to describe. . . it´s not only beauty I am looking for, but radiation, confidence and personality. Your age is probably around 30-45 and your size 38-40.

There is no salery involved, but of course there will be certain benefits, like clothes. If you feel like, don´t hesitate to contact me. We will have to meet, to find out if there is a foundation for an inspiring collaboration.

-ON CREATING

"You can only design what you know" - is a quote by Haider Ackermann from my new book, Fashion Now. It made me think about it. . . and I actually agree.

To create and design, you have to have knowledge and some kind of reference, foundation, in order to make sense of all the inspiration, impulses and impressions you get exposed to, through events, travel, life and so on.. You have to be open and aware of what is going on.

In other words, you have to be conscious, to be able to reflect and interpretate your experiences and transform them into design. -To be creative and express yourself.

Of course education helps, but as long as you have a vision and are curious and have some willpower and determination, I believe it is possible to design. Share your thoughts on this subject!

WHAT ABOUT REALITY ?

 

Grace Jones

Social Media, like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Slideshare, VooPod, FlickR, Digg, Delicious. . . Where does it stop ? 
Is there a limit ? What to do ? Do we really need them all ? - and Why ? Why do we need to be all over the internet? Because we can ?

I have reached a point where I feel like I am loosing my time. Because it is time-consuming and takes time to maintain and keep up, if you don´t want to repeat yourself everywhere. Preventing you from doing what you really want.

Can You imagine what the consequences might be ? 
-Loosing focus and eventually yourself, if you don´t pay attention - could be one.  
It is time to take a break. . . when you get frustrated and don´t recognize who you are anymore, questioning what happened.

Do You know the feeling ? How do you cope ? What are your thoughts ?

DISTRACTIONS

-Sometimes I get the feeling, that I'm caught up and getting nowhere. Maybe you know what I mean.

Because, fashion is a tough world of dreams and aspirations that you easily can get caught up in, if you don´t remember why and what you are doing.

According to Karl Lagerfeld, it is interpretations of classics and of our time that is pushing fashion forward and making it new. In short: Vision and Re-invention.

It is a good reminder. Because so much is going on in the fashion world, that it's sometimes hard to keep up and make it, without forgetting what you are doing and why you are working in this fasci-nating world, that is changing all the time.

I think the best way to go on is to be persistent and make the things that you believe in, without getting too distracted. To work on your own vision and make it come true.

Success will eventually follow if you stick to that. But to compromise it, will probably jeopardize your integrity. What is your motive and your vision, if you have any ?

Here is a little reminder! 

STYLING

HELLO!

Styling is essential these days! Because it is all about appearance. To make a good impression and get noticed.

Celebrities often use professional stylists to look as good as possible. But with a sense of style and a little imagination you can look as good. You just have to make up your mind and consider what suits you.

Of course it depends on the occasion, but it does not take more than a few accessories to be stylish. Add a nice belt, shoes, jewellery, a bag, a hat or a scarf that fits your outfit and makes you stand out.

Here is a few classical examples with Style Icon, Audrey Hepburn, just for your inspiration.

-Should you need some assistance, I would be happy to help you out. Just mail me via Contact in the top menu.

A NEW STUDIO!

-That is what I want! That is what I am looking for!
I would really like a new studio, new challenges and impulses.

For several years now, I have been working and running my business from where I live, a first floor appartment. But a big change is needed on both a personal level and workwise.

I used to have a small shop, but moved the business into greater surroundings, a big apartment and presently a smaller one.
Not obvious for the public, even though I have used the internet quite a lot and got new customers by recommendation. After all, it doesn´t bring enough orders in to have your business at home.

I need to get out, to be more busy and show what I can offer. For now I have plenty of garments hanging on the racks, waiting to find new owners.

The studio/showroom doesn´t have to be big and expensive. It could be a loft, an old industrial building, as long as it´s well located. Ideally together with other creative people.

So please spread the word out there, if you know a place or someone who might be interested. Thanks.

DEBBIE REYNOLDS - THE AUCTION

The legendary actress and entertainer, Debbie Reynolds extensive Collection of Iconic Hollywood costumes is going to be auctioned on June 18, 2011 at The Paley Center for Media, 465 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase some of the costumes from Iconic Hollywood movies.
Debbie Reynolds first tried to find an institution or great collectors to keep the collection together, but sadly enough she didn´t succeed. So now you have the chance to bit on your favorite piece.

"My lifetime dream has been to assemble and preserve the history of the Hollywood film industry. Hollywood has been an enormous part of my life as I know it has been for countless fans all over the world.
This collection represents a lifetime of collecting Hollywood artifacts and this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood History for those who love the movies as much as I do.
For the first time in nearly five decades, these iconic pieces will be made available to the public through a series of auctions presented by Profiles in History beginning in June 2011."

Debbie Reynolds

INTERNATIONAL FASHION EXHIBITIONS

There is a lot of different Fashion-Exhibits going on internationally this year. as you can see for yourself here.

Designs of Hussein Chalayan

In Wolfsburg, Germany they are showing a conceptual approach to fashion with the exhibit: Art & fashion - between skin and dress with: Comme des Garçons, Hussein Chalayan, Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf and Salvador Dali. It opened at March 5 and runs until August 7.

At the Bourdelle Museum in Paris, there is an exhibit about Madame Grès, la couture à l'oeuvre. Look at some examples of her intriguing techniques here. The exhibition opened March 25 - July 24.

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London are showing a Yohji Yamamoto Exhibition from the March 12 - July 10.

There is the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum in New York. The exhibition will run from May 4  to July 31 and will launch with a gala on May 2. You can have a sneak peak here.

Last but not least, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier - From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, is an upcoming exhibit at The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Quebec, Canada to celebrate the 35 anni-versary of the house, from June 17 - October 2.

Designs of Jean Paul Gaultier

For further exhibitions,The Fashion Institute of Technology has a list of worldwide fashion-Exhibits here.
I would really like to take a look at the two last ones. What would you like to take a look at ?

MY LONDON EXPERIENCE

Took place eleven years ago, after I graduated as a designer/teacher from The Couture department at The University of Fashion Design and Crafts here in Odense, Denmark.

One of my former teachers, the late Elise Steffensen called me to suggest, to contact the "famous" danish designer, Isabell Kristensen in London, who needed assistance.
I was ready for a big adventure and quite excited. I asked one of my fellow students to join me and off we went.

But, to my disappointment, the experience was not very successful. We were two out of 7 danish people, most of them apprentices.

 

Another danish designer were in charge, Maria, an English dressmaker was delegating the work of the people, beside what she had to do herself. She was nice, but quite frustrated because of that.

 

With Maria

 

There was no real organization and working agenda, so things were quite chaotic. No one didn´t really know what to do, so we had to figure it out ourselves. A real timetable for customer didn´t exist, so we had to make one up. -Shown here behind me.

The owner, Isabell Kristensen didn´t seem really engaged, I only saw her twice during two weeks. She was just putting pressure on people by taking in orders, without any consideration for the actual schedule. This wasn´t accommodating for the working climate, at all.

All in all, I quickly realized where it was heading and decided not to waste my time and went back to Denmark two weeks later. 

My last day

My colleague stayed for a few more months. Because of an up-coming fashion-show in Monaco. She was working night and day, but was not payed at the end. 

Six months later, she went back to get her salary, just to be rejected by the accountant, who claimed there was no more money left in the company.

She asked why the owner could do what she was doing and was told it was only possible because of backers. As far as I know, the company still exists today.

Just to say! -Be aware and take care out there! Things are not always what they seem.

 

Have any of you readers had a similar experience? Please share your thoughts and experience below in the comments.

WINDOW DISPLAYS

"If SAND were a colour, it would be deep velvety Venetian red, the Symbol of passion, beauty and timeless luxury".

   -A nice quote from the Sand shop in Copenhagen.

When I see window-displays that looks very random or messy, like today, here in Odense, I can´t help wondering what decorators are thinking. Either they don´t know how to do it or they just don´t care ? 

At the local Sand store for example I saw what would have been a nice ensemble. A clean white shirt with a nice "scarf"-skirt, but they didn´t bother to iron the shirt, that looked messy. I think it is pure carelessness of the staff.

A new store, Zizzy, for bigger sizes, displayed mannequins in clothes that makes you look even bigger. It looked like they just copied the general fashion and put it in bigger sizes.
They didn´t seem to know, that you don´t have to cover yourself up because you are big. It is about emphasizing your advantages and fitted clothes can do that, even for big sizes, if it´s well adjusted.

There are plenty of examples, so maybe I should blog more about shop displays in the future, to bring some focus on it

 For inspiration - Mulberry knows how to get attention!