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.

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.

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 -