BALENCIAGA - MAÎTRE DE LA COUTURE

All photos by John F. Clément

It was something I have been looking forward to since it was announced, the exhibition Balenciaga - Maître de la Haute Couture, at Musée McCord here in Montreal.
The exhibition is organized by Victoria & Albert Museum, London and presented by Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy.

Balenciaga was and still is a great source of inspiration for all designers. I have posted about him
before I even saw his creations in person. Follow this link to read previous post.
In addition the exhibition contains a full room of past and contemporary designer dresses, to show how influential he really was and still is.

For now I will just show some of the pictures I took and then eventually adding more, after I finished the book I purchased.

 

All photos by John F. Clément

If you are a fashion student, a keen home-sewer or just appreciate great, innovative and timeless design, it is a absolute must see. I am definitely going to revisit this exhibition a few more times, before it ends, Sunday October 14, 2018.

AUTHENTICITY

In this competitive and fast paced world of fashion we are living in, there are alternatives to getting dressed and stand out.

The solution is of course to slow down and take your time together with a dressmaker/designer to have your clothes designed and custom made, without compromising quality and Savoir-faire.

It is not a cheap solution, but more sustainable and the clothes will last longer.

 
UPDATE! This website is closed, but you can still reach me via Contact in the Menu.

BONJOUR AND HELLO FROM MONTREAL

Just a minor update, to tell you all that I am still alive and well; doing my thing here in Montreal.
These days, I mainly post on this blog.

I would love to reconnect. Hope to see you around. . .

 

Model Amélie, Photo: Daniel Dlément

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 -

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!

- Sharing is caring -

EXCLUSIVE COUTURE PRESENTATIONS

The Rack

For the reason of my previous post, I am going to sell most of the dresses I have on the rack. These one-of-a-kind dresses can be yours for a very favorable price.

If you have a hard time finding a really unique dress, you should consider to gather together a few girlfriends and book a private presentation of my unique collection of cocktail-, evening- and gala- dresses for all occasions.

These exclusive presentations is only for groups between 3-5 ladies and is on offer for Dk 150,- per person. It includes a glass of champagne with a little snack.

I will tell a bit about my background, motivation and present you for special made-to-measure dresses, where the hallmark is design, quality and fit.
You will be able to get answers on some of your questions and try on some of the dresses. The dresses are primarily in sizes 38-42.

Check out the Menu for inspiration and to see what I have done during the years.

Notice! This special offer will only run through this summer - so don´t hesitate to contact me.

 Photos: John Frantsen

MUSE OR DRESS AMBASSADOR ?

I am offering you the opportunity to make a good deal, without compromising quality and style.

Especially if you are going to a premiere or another big event. If this sound as something for you, you have to come forward and contact me as soon as possible.

Another possibility is of course to become one of my permanent Dress Ambassadors or maybe even my muse.

Hubert de Givenchy with his muse, Audrey Hepburn

In both cases we need to met and make an agreement. You get a good deal, in return for making an effort to look as good as possible.

Just get in contact, if you think it would be worth it. See you.

A NEW SALON

Since I / we haven´t been lucky looking for a new workshop/showroom, I decided to rearrange my workshop and showroom and move it into our living room, to have it more presentable.

The Salon Collection is displayed here. I´m open for business and have some very good offers, if you or you and your friends would like to take a closer look and try some of the dresses. Just get in touch and make an appointment.

 Photos: John Frantsen

Read more about what I can offer in Services and take a look of some of the dresses in the Dress Gallery. I´m looking forward to see you.

LA HAUTE COUTURE Á L’HONNEUR

For your information, if you didn´t know! Right now, The City Hall of Paris is celebrating Haute Couture with this exhibition. It gives you a great opportunity to admire some exceptional examples of haute couture dresses and outfits, selected among the most beautiful pieces in the Galleria Museum collections. 

The exhibition tells the story of what we today call a luxury industry, characterised by creativity and high expertise, created by flamboyant designers and uniquely talented seamstresses.

A must see for everyone who loves and admires the history, design and craft of Haute Couture. Follow this link to all the practical information and see the teaser.

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

INSIDE THE EXHIBITION

Some time ago I promised to show you a few pics from The Hartnell to Amies - couture by Royal appoint-ment - exhibition at The Fashion and Textile Museum in London.

"This retrospective exhibition of ground-breaking London designers Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Frederick Fox celebrates the timeless elegance of fashionable London couture. The consummate design skills of these men, publicised worldwide by the patronage of the Royal Family, helped to reestablish Britain´s reputation as an international Fashion Center after the Second World War."

  Extract from the Exhibition-Catalogue.

Photos: John Frantsen

I was a very nice experience for someone who is into design, craftmansship and fashion-history. The coming days I will show a few more pictures of design sketches and accessories. So stay tuned.

LONDON WEEKEND

This past weekend we spent in London. We managed to look at the Fashion exhibition above, just in time. It was the last day. 

In the afternoon we went to Somerset House to look at Valentino. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos. But I promise to write reviews and show you a few pictures from the first exhibition later on. 

Photos: Daniel Clément

Before that I have to finish a few commissions: A fitting for a lace dress is coming up, a few bags and some alterations. Not to mention our Project.

Update! -about my last post. We changed our minds and are not moving anywhere for now.

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