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.

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.

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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!

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JEANS SEARCH!

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.

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FROM FASHION BACK TO COUTURE

In my eternal search and refinement of my real task - I decided to change the name of this blog to what I really like and love to do.
I realized that lately, when I wrote about fast fashion., that I am more into the opposite - "slow fashion", the Craftmanship, quality and style, that will last.

With the result that some of my regular readers lost the link to my blog. I´m sorry for that, but I didn't anticipate that would happen. . .

If you still want to follow my blog, you will have to link back again. Hope to see you all soon and welcome new readers at the same time.

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DESSINER de LA MODE ?

Are you dreaming about becoming a fashion-designer ?

I can only offer you my advices about how to get there. In my experince it takes talent, determination, perseverance, consistency and believing in yourself.

One of the important things, is to have a vision and a certain idea about your own particular style.
A very good ability to have, is the ability to visualize and sketch your ideas. If you are talented, it should come natural. But it can of course be learned - even it will take a lot of practise. 

I found this very instructive video on how to learn Fashion Illustraion from Yelen Ayé on Youtube.

On top of that, patternmaking and sewing experience is always good.

Last but not least, you can´t be shy. You will have to socialize and show off to get some attention and promote yourself in some way.
Feel free to ask me any questions or share your thoughts on the subject.

If you are interested in this topic - you can read more in previous posts. Check the labels under this post.

TOTALEMENT MAILLE !

By researching what was going on in the Montreal fashion exhibition scene at the moment, I fell over an intriguing Exhibition at Musee du Costume et du Textile Quebec at the Marché Bonsecours.

I went there today and was pleasently surprised by what I saw.

"Totalement maille! - takes a look back at Quebec fashion from the 70s showing more than 40 colourful and sensual garments by knit-designer and artist, Francine Vandelac.
Challenging past knitwear traditions, her surprising creations were aimed at a young, hip audience and boast a remarkably modern, sexy look."

It was amazing to discover how visionary and inventive knitting was done at that time. A great deal of the models looked very contemporary. The silhouettes, the yarn and colours - all very inspiring. I was very impressed and can only recommend it, even if you´re not into knitting.

Photos, John Frantsen

But hurry up, if you want to see it. It only runs until october 12.
Remember to visit the virtual exhibition "Fitting Fashions" and discover the hidden treasures of MCTQs Collection by clicking the link on top.

WHAT´S ON IN FASHION?

If you need a fashion fix during your summer vacation, I have a few suggestions. These Fashion Exhibitions are going on at the moment and is definitely worth a visit. . .

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier - From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. . .

- at The Barbican Centre, London from 9 April 2014 - 25 August 2014.

Jean Paul Gaultier: Be My Guest

- at Fashion Space Gallery, London from 11 April - 26 July 2014

Charles James - Beyond Fashion
May 8 - August 10, 2014

 - at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

- both at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Let me know what you think, if you get there. Or leave a comment if you have other suggestions. Enjoy and have a nice summer.

YSL - The movie

Are you as big a fan of Yves Saint Laurent as me? There will be something to look forward to.
Several new films are coming up soon about one of my all-time favorite designers. The film premieres the 3. april here in Denmark.

The film is about his first years, 1954-57, in the fashion-house of  Dior, that takes the young 21 year old talent in, after he won a category in The International Wool Secreteriate Design competition.

The year he meets his destiny in shape of Pierre Bergé, that becomes his partner in business and life.

In the past, I have written a few posts about Yves Saint Laurent here and here, if you want to know more. Otherwise take a look at this trailer. Enjoy!

FOR THE RIGHT REASON

Juliana Moore in Cannes 2013, Photo: Pool

When you look at my last post about The Golden Globes, it is a fascinating world. . . sort of a dream-world really. -And a very seductive one.
It is very easy to get captured like that and by all the things that is going on in the fashion world; you want to be part of it and start to aspire for more. It´s only natural I think, because everybody wants to succeed.

It all made me think of, what it takes to get there. . . and is it something worth striving for at all. I mean, we can´t be famous actors or designers all of us.

According to all the Media and "Reality"-shows these days, it seems like, especially young people think they have to live through the Media to be someone or something. It´s a bit scary.

I have to say - of course it is possible to be happy and content, without being famous. We just need to dream to keep our hopes up, but at the same time be realistic and think about our potential and strenght.
That might show us the right way. As long as you don´t forget what got you started and hold on to that. Sooner or later you will succeed.

Actually I just need to look at my self. . .
-Initially it began, when I was looking for clothes back then. Since I wasn't  able to find anything that I liked, I began to create my own. I made quite a few experiments, finding satisfaction in this process, and finally decided to study and make a career out of it.

Why and what made you go into fashion ? Share your experience and have a great day out there.

I wrote about what I think it takes in a previous post.Take a closer look at the Labels, if you like posts like this.

 

Actress Zhang Yugi in Cannes 2013, Photo: Loic Venance

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.

CURRENT & UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

Party dress from Boué Soeurs in Paris, ca. 1923-25. Photo: Ole Woldbye

-Abroad, nationally and locally. If you want to be updated, visit dragt.dk´s website.
The Costume Unit of Danish Museums aka "De Danske museers Dragtpulje" is a network of museums containing Costumes in Denmark.
It is very interesting if you are into history of costume and would like to know what is going on. Unfortunately it is only in danish.

Among the international exhibitions is the new V&A exhibit, "Club to catwalk", that shows how much influence the club scene had on fashion in the 80´ies. I remember it vividly, because I bought most of the magazine´s like The Face, Blitz and i-D back then. I might have a few left. . . or at least some front pages, that I will show later on.

This exhibition is most certainly an indicator for, that we will see more 80`ies influence on the coming collections from the designers of today.

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?

IMPRESSIONS DIOR

If you are into fashion and going to France for vacation this summer, you have to visit The Dior Museum in Granville.

Villa Les Rhumbs, where he spent his childhood, are displaying some of Christian Dior´s creations and photographs of his garden, revealing the extent to which Dior was inspired by the natural environment and the themes of light and reflections, just like the Impressionist movement was. 

If I´ve got the possibility I would definitely go!

FASHION TEXTURES - PAST AND PRESENT

Adding textures when you design can make a big difference. Here is  a few examples from past masters, like McQueen, Givenchy and Balenciaga, that i find very inspiring. . .

Can you tell who is who?

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

DESIGN SKETCHES AND ACCESSOIRES

It is always inspirational and tells a lot about the designer, how he or she sketches and uses accessories. Here are a few examples from the exhibition, as promised. Enjoy.

Photos: John Frantsen