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.

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 ?

- Sharing is caring -

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.

- Sharing is caring -

D.I.Y - WITH A LITTLE HELP

Inspiration from Narciso Rodriquez´ resort-collection 2013

Would you like to do your own dress and need assistance in some way ?

I offer individual consultations and sewing classes in subjects such as: Weddingdresses, Corsets, Cocktail-, Gala- and Eveninggowns, in case you want to do it yourself.

 

I can help you out, creating your own personal pattern or help you with sewingtechnics or fittings.

Price: 60,- Cad per. hour for a personal consultation and 100,- Cad per hour by two individuals. Discounts by more consultations. Don´t hesitate to contact me, if you have other suggestions and find out what I can do for you.

I also offer sewingclasses for Design- and Eveningschools in subjects like: From Idea to product, Patternmaking, Sewing technics, Dressmaking and Fittings. Just get in touch.

 Inspiration from Alberta Ferretti´ resort-collection 2015

 

  Narciso Rodriquez resort-collection 2013

LOUNGE WEAR

Long time, no see. I have been quite busy launching our new blog - DESIGN GALLERIET - and preparing for our pop-up Blog events at Cadenhead´s Whiskyshop here in Odense.

By the way, our GIVE AWAY is soon running out. So go there to support us and have a chance to win one of our asymetric Cloaks.

Apart from that I just wanted to bring you a little inspiration for Christmas parties coming up soon. I hope to post at least few times before that, so stay tuned.

Design and photos: John Frantsen

Model: Sofie

COLLECTION COMING TOGETHER !

I know I´ve been absent for a while. . . But with good reason. Remember some time ago, I wrote about a collaboration with my friend Rikke.
We wanted to create something different. A collection that stood out. A very simple and artistic collection, where you can mix different items, colours and cuts. Made primarily in nature fibers, like linen, viscose and silk.

Well, it´s coming together, slowly. . . we are working on some prototypes, that is going to bee produced eventually.
By the way, do any of you readers have experience with production. If so, I would love to hear from you. Also if you would like to model some of the Items, get in touch.

We are going to Give Away an Item of your own choice in time, so stay tuned. Here is a little teaser!

Photos: John Frantsen

PERSONAL INFLUENCES

In 1987 I attended a sewing-course at The School of Arts and Craft / Fagskolen in Odense, which gave me a basic introduction to pattern making and sewing.

Years later in 1996 I was living in Copenhagen, when a new Formal Education was launched in my home town, Odense. The College of Arts and Crafts had added a new department, specializing in couture. I decided to focus on one thing from then on and applied, was accepted and moved back.

The three years I spent there specializing in couture, costume. . .  encouraged by passionate teachers, gave me confidence to start my own business.

A business offering Couture, Custom made and Bridal, where every single step, from appointments, measurements, design, pattern making, fittings to executing the dresses always have been handled by me, to secure the satisfaction of  my customers. For my full resume, take a look at the top-menu.

The Teachers: Karin-Lisse, Gitte and Elise.

Unfortunatly the Government at that time decided that, there were too many creative Institutions in Denmark and closed most of the Colleges down some years later.

Readers, do you know the Teachers ? Share your experience, thoughts and memories if you have any. Have a nice day out there.

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE

The judges, Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant and WI teacher May Martin

Great British Sewing Bee is a new interesting reality series on BBC2, where amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain´s best home sewer.
The first four-part series saw eight sewing hopefuls compete in various challenges from hand stitching to customisation.

Luckily the series turned out to be a succes, so a follow-up of 6 new episodes is to be launched next year.

In case you haven´t noticed! - DIY, short for Do It Yourself or homemade as some may call it, is getting more and more popular these days.
Maybe because of the economical crises. . .or just because people are tired of buying off the rack and want to stand out. But of course there is also a great satisfaction in creating something yourself.

Would you like to learn how to sew your own clothes, I offer individual classes. Read more about it under Services.

NEW BLOG LAYOUT

Photo credit: Karl Lagerfeld for Harper´s Bazaar 2011,

 reworked in Photoshop

I have changed my Blog layout - Let me know what you think.
Here on top, there is now a menu that describtions About me, what I can offer. . . like Customer service, Dress Archive, Consultations and classes etc.

In addition to that, I have decided to offer Personal Consultations, that suits you. If  you want discretion or you don´t have the possibility or time to pay me a visit, I can offer to pay you a home visit.

Orders are very welcome, but I can also offer you assistance in Pattern-making, Sewing Technics and fittings.

I wish you all a very nice weekend and hope you did like my new Lay-out and can only encourage you to explore all the new features.

Update! - the Lay-out has changed a few times since this post.

PATTERN-MAKING

Vogue Vintage Pattern Illustration

I have to admit, that I am not a big fan of readymade patterns, though they can be very inspiring.

Because, if you are not a perfect standard size, there will always be adjustments. Besides you never know how much they already added for ease.
Of course you can also drape a pattern, but I think that is a very time consuming process.

I am using the German Pattern-system called Rundschau and prefer to make every pattern based on personal measurements.
Each customer is different and by analysing and measuring their body, I am able to minimize adjustments and get very close to a perfect shape.

If you are a professional, what do you use and what are your experience ?

I am also curious if you readers would like me to post about "How to"-subjects here on my blog ? Wishes and suggestions are welcome.

FASHION CONSULTATIONS & CLASSES

Would you like to learn how to make your own dress or do you need assistance in some way ?
I can help you out in case you want to do it yourself, make your own personal pattern or need help with sewing techniques or fittings.

I offer individual sewing classes/consultations for 1-2 individuals in subjects as: Wedding dresses, Corsets, Cocktail-, Gala- and Evening gowns.
Price: 60 Cad per. hour for a personal consultation and 100 Cad per. hour by two persons or for two hours. Discounts by more consultations.

On top, I offer Design- or Evening Schools sewing-classes in subjects like: From Idea to product, Patternmaking, Sewing techniques, Dressmaking and Fittings. Other suggestions are welcome though!

Feel free to make an appointment via contact and find out what I can do for you.

Ballgown made of violet silk-taffeta, backed with silk organdy, supported by a built-in corset and a big seperate tulle-skirt. Photo: John Frantsen. Model: Ann-Charlott. 

PATTERN MAKING

Since my last post, I have been busy constructing the three very different wedding-dresses on request. 

 

All three customers have had their measures taken and these measures are the basis for their very personal patterns, that these dresses are based on.

The next step is to copy them in silk-paper and make a muslin/calico. The muslin/calico is a basic model made up in a cheap cotton, that is used for the first fitting.   

After these steps, every single customer are appointed for a fitting, where the dress is adjusted. Depending on the cut and figure, more fittings can be necessary. But usually 1-2 fittings are enough.

The final design and details are decided, the fabric chosen and a deposit payed.

The last fitting for fine-tuning adjustments is agreed upon and the dress is being finished. 

 

The result is a very special One-of-a-kind dress. If the customers don´t mind, I will show the results later on.

Photos: John Frantsen