FASHION CONSUMPTION

"Global trade has made it possible to produce very cheap clothing. Consumers  now view clothes as disposable products whereas, NOT SO VERY LONG AGO, A WARDROBE WAS DESIGNED TO LAST. Some people talk about "fast fashion" in the way we refer to "fast food".

Choosing more environmemtally friendly products does not eliminate the impact our consumption is having on natural resources.
DO WE NEED TO REDUCE OUR CONSUMPTION? SHOULD WE REQUIRE THAT ITEMS BE PRODUCED DIFFERENTLY?

In Canada, housing, transportation, food and electric devices contribute to 
70 % of the environmental impacts of our consumption. However, it is easy to consume less and more wisely.
WE CONSUME MORE WISELY BY CHOOSING PRODUCTS THAT HAVE LESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION EACH STAGE OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE".

From the exhibition "Finding Balance" at The Environment Museum "Biosphére" in Montreal.

Photos: John Frantsen

OH JAMES !

London is the place to be this year. I didn´t know. But on our way to Montreal, I read about James Bond 50th anniversary in the dutch magazine Holland Herald.

Did you know? - that it actually is 50 years ago the first James Bond movie were launched in 1962. Of course it has to be honnoured with the Exhibition: Fifty years of Bond Style at the Barbican Centre.
Expect everything from costumes and weapons to sets and props designed for the legendary cinema Icon. The exhibition runs until 5 September.

I am going there, since I am a Bond fan and especially find the costumes of the 60s and 70s very in-spiring.

"The first James Bond film, Dr. No, had an impact on ladies' fashion, with the bikini worn by Ursula Andress proving to be a huge hit: "not only sent sales of two-piece swimwear skyrocketing, it also made Andress an international celebrity".
Andress herself admitted that the "bikini made me into a success. As a result of starring in Dr. No as the first Bond girl I was given the freedom to take my pick of future roles and to become financially independent".

It has been claimed that the use of the swim-wear in Dr. No led to "the biggest impact on the history of the bikini". From Wikipedia

1962

 

1963

 

1964

PARIS FASHION EXHIBITIONS

 Balenciaga dresses

 If you are into fashion, history- or concept wise and going to Paris this summer, you should take a look at The Christóbal Balenciaga - Collectionneur de Mode. 

 

 

There is also Rei Kawakubo´s Comme des Garçons exhibitions at Cité de la Mode et du Design/Fashion and Design Centre.

Comme des Garçons, photo by Pierre Antoine

 

When you are there you might as well take a look at another Exhibition at Les Arts Décoratifs. 

 

It is about the founder Louis Vuitton (1821-1892) and Marc Jacobs, the artistic director of LVMH since 1997.

NORMAN NORELL Vs TOM FORD

1960

Through my research on the American Fashion Designer, Norman Norell on Google, I stumbled upon this picture, where he is posing with some models.

It looked familiar and I remembered a picture with Tom Ford that looks quite similar.

I think it´s obvious that Tom Ford was inspired by Norell ! What do you think? -And which one do you prefer?

2011

ATELIER OR SHOP ?

- Is today's question and dilemma.
I originally started out with a small shop in Overgade here in Odense, that I had for three years.

Since then, I have moved my Atelier home and worked from various locations.

A glimpse into the Atelier, Photos: John Frantsen

There are advantages and disadvantages either way.

In a shop you get exposed all the time, which is very crucial when you´re new and want to get noticed.
On the other hand, it limits you, because you are not able to produce new designs at the same time you have to take care of the customers.

I decided to move my business home, to gain more time to design and produce clothes, to be able to pay more attention to customers with an appointment and of course to save some expenses.
The only thing is that you loose exposure and don´t get the same attention, because you are not visible in the same way.

As you are starting out, you´ll have to find out WHO and WHERE your potential customers are, to be right on target. It is as important as the product!

To survive on a limited budget you need to be clever. You need to get some attention somehow or you might as well give up and close down.

What to do if you do not have a shop ? -You have to advertise, be on the internet, write newsletters, participate in events, dress celebrities and so on.

I hope you found these advices useful somehow.

I´m curious. . .
As a customer, what would you prefer ? Do you prefer ready-made clothes and a big selection to choose from or exclusivity and service? Please comment below.