[STATUS UPDATE]: PURE FREEDOM

Wow, feels like forever since my last encounter with Blogger. This radio silence has not been in vain, as I went through blood-sweat-and-tears moments working on my final graduation project. But boy o boy, is this fresh graduate eager to take on new adventures and build new (and accomplish existing) dreams as a 'grown-up'.

Although we always nag about early classes, team projects, and meeting deadlines, being a student is actually not that bad. So, goodbye study grant powered by uncle government, bye bye student discounts at River Island, farewell lazy afternoon shopping while skipping class, adieu free country-wide public transport, so long charitative family dinners. You have made my life as a student heaven on earth, hence your support will not be forgotten.

Moving on to the here, now, and tomorrow,  let's not neglect the opportunities at hand, things I can do, places I can go, dreams I can accomplish. First of all, I would like to take this blog to a whole 'nother level, both quality- and quantity-wise. Expect reports on great finds from the art and fashion world with greater frequency! Second, now is the time to work on my dream of becoming a fashion professional, preferably on an international scale. Acne Studios, hire me! Third, let's make that dream journey through Latin America (with a stopover in India) come true. Brazil, keep my surfboard waxed!

Checking out with some wisdom from a very happy friend: "Always put in your best effort so good things can come to you".

Love

Paris, je t'aime...

La vie est belle! I just woke up from my well-deserved recovery sleep from my little trip to Paris, and already I miss the strolls through the little streets of le Marais district, vintage shopping, and the Colette boutique in Rue Saint-Honoré. Here are just some random pics from my trip.

Dutch couture in Paris

Couture Fashionweek (more like 'days') is almost running to it's final day for this season, but I didn't want to miss this opportunity to share with you how proud I am to be from little Holland this edition with not one, but two designers from the Netherlands showing their couture collection.
Recently, Iris van Herpen was invited by the Chambre Syndicale de La Couture to blow a fresh breeze through the couture shows as a guestdesigner. Good thing is we can enjoy Van Herpen's magnificent creations for at least five more times to come, after which she will be granted the title of accredited couturier. What I love so much about Van Herpen's designs is that they are such conceptual figments, but I still get where they come from: she does a great job translating everyday experiences, like a splash of water or spikey glass shards, into fashion-worthy creations. Who cares if the dresses are extremely UNwearable?! After all, fashion is not necessarily about wearability as it exceeds our beliefs about apparel, fit, and functionality.

Here's what I mean...

Although Van Herpen was one of the youngest designers during Couture Fashionweek, her technique and eye for detail are those of an old master, since she fuses old crafts with new technologies and methods of work. Watch the video below for some insight on her view on fashion.

Jan Taminiau participated off-schedule, presenting his 'Nature Extends' couture collection, the Taminiau view on the flow and 'oneness' of nature, using an usual mix of cork, gold sequins and draping chiffon.

Look out for Amsterdam International Fashionweek starting soon!

Love,

FSHNvanguard



Kick-Off SALON/2

Yesterday was the official opening of SALON / 2, an initiative to create discussion and dialogue between fashion, art, and design, held twice a year (winter/summer). As you would expect lots of creatives from Amsterdam and beyond were present at Magazijn, which was transformed into a pop-up store for the occasion, featuring skirts, shirts and more, all designed by Dutchies. 

Unfortunately, we had to leave our glasses half full at Magazijn, cause at 3pm I found myself rushing to concept store DROOG, where Antoine Peters’ Spring Summer 2012 collection was setup, tellingly named ‘Get Dizzy’.

Upon entering DROOG you could already hear the loud music provided by Krause & Jeroen Joosten just for this collection. The collection by Antione Peters was setup in a special exhibition room, featuring dummies on spinning platforms dressed in Peters’ colourful creations. The collection was inspired on today’s fast-moving digitized society, creating confusion (especially among computer illiterates if you ask me) and opening windows to new opportunities at the same time.

The SALON/ pop-up store at Magazijn sells some Antoine Peters scarfs. For the full collection you have to hold it in a few more months though.

You can checkout this season’s SALON at a variety of locations around the city up until the 17^th of July. Visit the website for more information.


Love,

FSHNvanguard

Menswear is hottt!

These past few days have been all about L'Uomo in Milan, showcasing Spring / Summer 2012 Menswear collections. Next on the road is Paris. It's remarkable how the fashion industry is particularly dominated by womenswear leaving menswear highly underestimated. Which is a pity, since I've always had a fondness for menswear's nonchalance, simplicity and effortless style it usually exudes. Wanted to grab this opportunity to share with you some of the looks that made my heart flutter.

Giorgio Armani

 Love this camo raincoat from Dsquared2

 It's all about bright colors and accessories at Versace

 English rock on the runway at Alexander McQueen. I would take it straight out of the runway - menswear or not...

 D&G relives the classic foulard print, making it street-proof with a hint of denim

 Vivienne Westwood's vision on the World Wide Man

Louis Vuitton backstage at the Paris fashionshow

Jean Paul Gaultier, Paris

Greek gods, sculpted by Nicola Formichetti at Mugler, Paris

Isn't it super duper fly that menswear is becoming hot and sexy?! Exuberant prints, bright colors and accessories to match feels like a fresh wind of comic creativity and innovation. And I'm so excited that some of these items would totally go on my wishlist!

Love,
FSHNvanguard


Backstage images: Courtesy of Sonny Vandevelde
Fashion show photo's: Courtesy of Style.com

Donatella said yes!

"For me this is an opportunity to show to the very very big audience, the fans of H&M, what Versace has been and what Versace is now. I want to use iconic Versace pieces of iconic Versace moments, which are not exaclty always the past, but also the present" - Donatella Versace

Finally, H&M is collaborating with Versace on a diffusion line for the Swedish chain, expected to hit stores worldwide on the 17th of November. The collection consists of 40 women's and 20 men's items, including accessories, all featuring a healthy dose of Versace Glamboyance.

Unlike previous times, Versace and H&M have lifted a corner of the proverbial veil so we can have a peak at what to expect in a few months. The tone had already been set when Donatella appeared in a sexy black leather, gold studded Versace for H&M dress yesterday at the end of the Versace men's Spring/Summer 2012 show in Milan. Here's a little sneak peek of what to expect this november (photos: Courtesy of Elle)

    

The collection is a hand-picked compilation of iconic Versace pieces, from the past as well as the present, portraying the glamorous, colorful character of Versace, ideal for the winter holiday season. In addition to a winter collection, Versace will collaborate with H&M on a pre-spring mini-collection expected to hit stores the 19th of January 2012, and some items for H&M's interior line.

Check out this video announcement featuring both Margareta van den Bosch of H&M and Donatella Versace about the upcoming collab. Oh and... pay special attention to the dress Donatella is wearing somewhere near the end of the video!

What really got me wondering is how H&M managed to conquer Donatella's heart. H&M has attempted numerous times to persuade Donatella to do a diffusion line for H&M, but the former repeatedly denied, arguing that putting a Versace label next to an H&M one would confuse the brand. All we know for now is that H&M has won this game of pursuit. And boy are we happy about it!

Love,

FSHNvanguard

Video: VERSACE for H&M: Announcement EPK by Stateofstylechannel on Youtube