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.

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.

THE GREAT GATSBY

 

The recently released film by Baz Lurhman, is based on F.Scott Fitzgerald  (1896-1940) famous novel by the same name. The novel from 1925 -"explores themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess, creating a portrait of the Jazz age that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American dream".

The movie have not had the best reviews. . . It should be too superficial with less focus on the story. With present designers as Pradas interpretation of the style and the Soundtrack, contemporary music from Jay-Z and Beyoncé. . .
-It sounds more like a show-off. But of course I´ll have to see for my self.

Here is a few pictures from the 1974 movie adaption of the novel instead.

 Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan in the Movie from 1974

Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby

Photo credit: Paramount pictures

Nevertheless the movie about the Roaring twenties is probably going to be a big trendsetter and inspiration for fashion to come. . . we already saw that in some of the latest designer collections.

The Roaring twenties, was a reaction to the the first world war, where people wanted to forget and celebrate peace. That led to excesses and eventually the big Colaps on Wall Street in 1929. 

It´s a fascinating period, that I wrote about  in my Costume Exam when I graduated, back then. . . 

 

But my starting point was Europe and especially Berlin, with Christopher Isherwood famous novel: Goodbye to Berlin as inspiration. The novel that was the base of the musical and film Cabaret. I will try to find it and post about it eventually.

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

FASHION DISPLAY IS CHANGING

During this period of display at Profil Optik, I have changed the dresses a few times.

It´s always a good idea, so people can see something is going on. Here a few pics of the new windows. Pop by and take a closer look.

Red velour- and Graphic Eveningdress

Cocktaildress and Eveningdress

Flock jacket with pencilskirt and a Ballgown

 Photos: John Frantsen

FASHION DISPLAY - A COLLABORATION

As promised last week, here are the result of the collaboration with Profil Optik, where you can find glasses for any occasion.

They needed something Eye-catching for a new display and I needed to show what I´ve got. We tried to keep it simple and elegant. Some of the dresses might change along the way. If you live in or near Odense, pop by and take a closer look.

Short sequin- and Asymetric Eveningdress

 

Draped floral-dress and black Cocktail-dress

Cocktail- and Evening-dress

Close-up, All photos: Daniel Clément

UPCOMING COLLABORATION

Via a good friend and colleague Ann-Charlott, I got connected with the manager of a local Spectacle-business in regards of a collaboration, some time ago.

They needed something Eye-catching for a new display and I needed to show what I´ve got. I´m looking very forward to this and hope it turns out to be a win/win-situation for both parties.

Of course I will show how it turns out here, so stay tuned.

CHRISTMAS FASHION DISPLAYES

Just wanted to share some fabulous window displays from some of San Francisco Department-stores, just for inspiration. Enjoy!

 

All photos by John Frantsen

ITALIAN ACCESSORIES

During our few hours in Rome, I managed to take a few snapshots.

Italian fashion is all about high quality, luxury and glamour in a bold, but classic style. The Italian artisans is worldwide renowned for their meticulous work.