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.

A FASHION FLASHBACK

Long time no see! -due to our project, a commissions and other distractions. . .

In the mean time a little story about my past, that I would like to share with you readers. Recently I went through my archive of old projects and stumbled over this assignment.

Before my formal education, I attended a computer-course at INDesign in Copenhagen, as mentioned in this post.

 

 

 

Design and photos: John Frantsen

Model: Rikke

Actually this small romantic collection was the result of our last assignment at the computer-course. The collection contains five pieces, that can be combined in different ways. It´s made of a transparent cotton and a more structured polyester We had to use all the technics and programs we went through for a Presentation.

INDesign still exist today, if you need to learn or be upgraded about computer programs used in the fashion industry. But only as online-courses. 

WORN THROUGH - CLOSE RUNNER-UP !

Sketch by John Frantsen

Worn Through book Give-away contest winners!

After reviewing the impresssive entries of your costume and fashion sketches, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the winner of Worn Through´s book give-away contest: Rachel Pollock. Your prize is a review copy of Deborah Nadoolman Landis´latest book, Hollywood Sketchbook: A Century of Costume Illustration.

A very close runner-up is John Frantsen, who will receive a collection of costume design sketch greeting cards.

Your illustrations were wonderful, you should be very proud. Please reply to this email with your respective addresses so I can mail you your well-deserved prizes within the next week.

Thank you for participating in the Worn Through community, and best of luck with your future fashion endeavors!

Tove
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Tove Hermanson, Fashion Culturalist

Senior Contributor & Book Reviews Editor | Worn Through | apparel from an academic perspective.
Contributor, Style Section | Huffington Post.
Editor & Contributor | Thread for Thought | How fashion intersects politics, economics, gender, race & pop culture.
Inspiration boards on Pinterest.

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."
Mark Twain

FASHION & FUSION - A FASHION SHOW

Models: Bettina, Lone and Hanne

Was a fashion-experiment/-event, that took place in the Ceremonial Hall of The City Hall in Odense, 2000. Inspired by the "Dogme"-films, the concept was to make a Fashionshow as simple as possible, which meant no shoes, no make-up etc.

It was quite exciting, because it gave me an opportunity to show what I could do and to get some attention, which is crucial when you´re just starting out.

My contribution to the show, were these three couture-gowns that was standing out from the rest of the participants. But I wonder if  they would still do today? What do you think?

Designs and Photos: John Frantsen

THE TURQUOISE FUR COAT

By Ann-Charlott Sigl Brems

I have the pleasure to introduce the first contributor in my new serie: My Fashion Moment, where all you readers can participate.

 

In february I went to Rome with my husband, Kim and my youngest son, Alexander. I´ve been to Rome many times, but this time I wanted to show them The Vatican-museum.

I had promised Alexander, that it was his turn to get new clothes, shoes etc. I also promised him, that I wouldn´t look for shops. Alexander thought that I had seen everything when I was here last november.

On our way to The Vatican, I just wanted to show him a few good fashion stores in the streets leading up to Campo di Fiori. We passed by a shop with a sale and my eye catched something turquoise. 

 By that time we had only been in Rome for two hours and I had already forgotten what I promised Alexander. But I just had to find out what that turquoise was. It seemed to be a fabulous turquoise furcoat. Of course I had to try it on.

While I was trying it on, there was an old italian lady with her grandchild, that was complimenting me and the furcoat very nicely: -"carina bellisima etc." 

I just had to own that fur. Later on I was just thinking, if the old lady was payed to make me bye the fur. By the way, the fur is made of rabbit and the collar is fox. But look at it. . . Isn´t it fantastico!!!

A FASHION MOMENT

The iconic Lisa Fonsagrives by Irving Penn

-Is a moment when fashion made a difference in your life. It made you feel happy, gorgeous, confident, sexy etc.

I would like to invite you to share such a moment in a new feature on my blog, called "My Fashion Moment".

What ever you have stumbled upon, purchased or got as a gift, that meant something special for you,  share  your story/experience and get some feed-back. Think about it!

Dovima by Richard Avedon

H for HAUTE COUTURE

In connection with my previous post, I suddenly remembered the special exhibition, H for Haute Couture, that The Collection of Time  were organizing from September 30. 2006 until April 15. 2007.
The exhibition showed examples of the 20. century greatest and most outstanding danish Createurs, which was the master, Holger Blom and his two apprentices, Erik Mortensen and Jørgen Bender.

Holger Blom (1906-1965) created a lot of elegant creations for the Divas of danish theatre, like Liva Weel, Bodil Kjer and Helle Virkner, as well as the Wedding-dress for Danish Princess Anne-Marie in 1964.

Erik Mortensen (1926-1998) went to Paris after his apprenticeship at Blom and made a career in the famous fashion house of Pierre Balmain.

Jørgen Bender (1938-1999) took over the Salon of Blom after his dead  and created among other things, the Royale wedding gowns for Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Princess Benedikte and former Princess Alexandre.

During this exhibition I was offered to do two weekend-workshops by the request of Cæcilie Ning Hage, the Head of The Collection of Time. Because she thought it would be a good idea for the visitors to see how dresses like that are created. It turned out to be a good idea and was a great attraction.

I was very honored to sit there among all the creations of my heros and work on my own stuff. Though it was limited what I was able to do, because people were so interested, talking and asking questions. I even spoke with somebody who had known Holger Blom.

Apart from that, Jørgen Bender was one of the judges at the 1998 DM (The Danish Championship) for students of tailoring and clothes-craft at Holmen, Copenhagen, where I was participating on the suggestion from one of my teachers.

In 1988, when I together with my friend Karen went to see the special exhibition "Stars in French Fashion" at  Designmuseum Denmark, and to hear Erik Mortensen´s talk, we were so lucky to meet him and to have his biography "Ej blot til pynt" (Not only for decoration) signed.

 

 A few years earlier I was also asked to participate in another Exhibition at Tidens Samling. Take a look here.

THE RECEPTION

Luckily everything came out right, even though there were a lot of practicalities that had to be coordinated and fixed.

I couldn´t have done without Anne Grethe, Henriette, Daniel, Hanne, Karen, Cæcilie, Camilla and my family. I´m very grateful and want to THANK all of  them.

The reception with friends, acquaintances, colleagues and family went very well and made my day very special.

Photos: Daniel Clément

FASHION DESIGN EXHIBITION

Time is getting closer fast and I´m about to finish up the different dresses. 

At the same time, there is a lot of practicalities that have to fall into place. But with good help, it will of course come out right. 

You are hereby invited.

Hope to see you there.

FASHION EXHIBITION UPDATE !

After a while it is time for a small Update here from Montrèal, where I am staying for Christmas this year.

I brought all my sketches, to be able to make most of the patterns for the dresses that is going on display from the 23 of february 2010 at The Art- building/ Kunstbygningen at Filosofgangen in Odense.

Until now it goes like planned. The plan was to buy the last fabrics here, where the have a much bigger selection.

Sign up for a newsletter on my webpage, to get an invitation for the Opening.

Photo/sketch: John Frantsen

FASHION JUBILEE-EXHIBIT

In 2010 it is 10 years since I became self-employed and of course it is going to be marked with an anniversary exhibition at Kunstbygningen at Filosofgangen in Odense, where I also had my graduation exhibition in 1999.

The exhibition will consist of ten custom-designed dresses. Among these will be a model specifically designed for the Crown Princess, another made in a special sequins fabric from Karl Lagerfeld, as well as models made in fabrics purchased in Canada, that are not available at home.

The models are designed and must now be constructed. After that they are produced continuously for the exhibition.
Subscribe to my newsletter by email on the contact page and get an invitation to the anniversary exhibition. Write "newsletter" and the invitation to celebrate will be posted in early February.