CFDA - ONE WAY INTO FASHION!

-But not the only one. There are other ways. -That was my imediate reaction, after watching the mini-series The Fashion Fund on Netflix.

I couldn't believe my own ears, when they claimed: - "If you haven't got a fashion show, you're not serious/ -or the real deal".
Come on! - To me that statement sounded very limited and close minded. There is always a way!

It may come as a surprise, but not everyone wants to become a big name or global brand, but would be perfectly happy doing their thing and make a decent living out of that.

You see, being independent and make a good living, are actually quite satisfactory for more people, than you think.
Unfortunately the big names are getting all the attention. but if you take a closer look, there is a lot of creativity going on, on different levels.

Instead of taking hope/dreams away from people, even before they start, a more diverse fashion-program with different levels, where you can choose to go ahead or not, would be a better way of doing this, I think. -And it may even attract more interest.

-Any thoughts ?

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 ?

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FABULOUS FASHION DISPLAY

On our way to the Rodin exhibition at Le Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, we passed by Holt Renfrew and these fabulous window-displays. . .

 

 All photos by John Frantsen

They just stood out and I couldn´t help take a few photos to show here. I found them very creative and inspiring.

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HORST - PHOTOGRAPHER OF STYLE

This exhibition at the Musée McCord here in Montreal is a Must see for everybody who appreciate style and aesthetic. . .
Horst was a creative soul and one of the twentied centery´s most famous photographers.

As I went through this exhibition, I really could relate  to almost every theme and picture I saw.
I couldn´t help thinking how eternal style and aesthetic are. . . to this day, nothing is new - everything has been done before. It´s just a matter of interpretation and consciousness.

Even some of the designs of the "ancient" couturiers would be as contemporary today. . .

The exhibition was very extensive and organised into themes and periods of his life, staged in black and white, except the big Magazine colour-photos, staged in a more minimalistic white enviroment.

 Photo´s by John Frantsen

I couldn´t help, but take a few photo´s without violating any copyrights, just to show you, what you´re missing if you don´t go.

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ATTENTION ! - COLLECTORS OF FASHION MAGAZINES

Hello there! Hope you are all well. . .

Since I am moving later this summer, I am trying to find new homes for all my fashion magazines, that you see here. Mainly american and english Vogue´s, but also Harper´s Bazaar and Dutch. All in very good condition.

 

 

 

 I find them too nice to just throw away. I also still have a few mannequins and a pile of fabric: silk, cotton, tulle with sequins etc. to offer.

If you are interested in some of them, just get in touch and make me an offer ;o)

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QUEBEC FASHION

There is always something going on at The Musée du costume et du textile du Québec, in short MCTQ. Maybe you remember my post from september last year about knitting.

Some exhibitions that I would like to take a look at, if I was there. The first one has been on display for a while, but continues to run until April 18 this year :

"CHIC & CHOC presents sixty garments and accessories chosen for their scintillating beads and sequins, from a Roaring Twenties flapper dress to a stunning Céline Dion concert gown created by Annie Horth.

This journey through the 20th century is a chance to admire glittering pieces by well-known designers, including Quebec fashion stars like Clairette, Lily Simon and Raoul-Jean Fouré. Guest designers Ariane Carle and Rush Couture will both honour us with an exceptional new piece, including one created for the exhibition.

While shining a light on the CHIC, the exhibition includes some wonderful surprises – CHOC´s." 

-And the other Exhibition just opened yesterday.

Remember also to take a look at their hidden reserves here.

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COPENHAGEN WINDOW DISPLAYES

Hope you all had a fabulous holiday season.
This years first post, is to show you a refined, a funny and a different window display from a short trip to Copenhagen this past weekend.

All of them grapped my attention - so they clearly work in their own way. And that is what it is all about.

The first and last one from some high end shops and the funny one from a more common design shop.

Photos: John Frantsen

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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.

FRANÇOIS BARBEAU

Finally back home from Montreal and N.Y., I am able to post about a very interesting exhibition I went to see last thursday at Université de Montréal.  

It was about a Créateur de Costume named François Barbeau, born 1935 in Montréal. Apart from being a costume designer, he has worked as a theatre director, artistic director and set designer as well.
Right after his graduation from the Cotnoir Caponi School for haute couture in 1952, he was hired and created costumes for local theatres.
Later on for the Théâtre Botanique in Brussels, the Théâtre Populaire in Strasbourg, the Comédie Française, as well as Cirque de Soleil and many dance- and ballet companies in North america. He has also worked on programs for television and film. -And even at 81, he is still going strong.

Because of copyrights, I was not able to take pictures myself. But I had a nice chat with the host, who was so kind to give me an e-mail address, so I could aquire the pressphotos, which is shown in this post.

The exhibition was of course displayed in a very dramatic way and the best thing was, I could actually touch the costumes, which made up for not taking pictures.
It is always very fascinating to get a closer look for a professional like my self, to see how the costumes are made.

The Janine dress worn by France Castel in the musical theatre «i» from Marc Drouin and François Dompierre, Théâtre musical du Québec, 1998.

Ninetta dresses worn by Louise Turcot in «l’Oiseau vert» of Carlo Goldoni, TNM, 1998.

 

 

Corsets for differents productions.

 

Fabric samples produced at the Laboratoire de recherche du Cirque du Soleil.

 

Pictures of costumes from «Dralion» (1999) and «Wintuk» (2007) shows of Cirque du Soleil and books research for the Dubai’s project (2009).

 

First drawing for the Dubai’s project (2009) at Cirque du Soleil.

I think this exhibition deserves to reach a bigger audience, even if it´s only in French. 
Especially if you are a student or a proffesional in a creative field. 
It is "a must see". -And watch out, you might even learn something. I was very inspired. 

Go there before December 7th.

Photocredits: Hugues Poirier  © Centre d'exposition de l'Université de Montréal, 2014

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.

GRAPHIC WINDOW DISPLAY

Spending some wonderful time in Montreal right now, I just wanted to show a different window displays, for you shop owners out there, as inspiration.

More to come!

Photos: John Frantsen