Expo/ Piet Paris

Named 'The Rooms of Piet Paris', the exhibition of illustrator extraodinaire, Piet Paris, opened last week in Arnhem. It was great to be lead through the exhibition by the artist himself and I really got an insight into his work method and driving force.
Not only are works by Paris on show but you can take a look at some amazing designs by Prada, Viktor&Rolf and Marni, among others. How amazing is that green embellished swimsuit?
I briefly spoke with Paris after the tour and asked him what he liked most about his retrospective. His answer was simple, get young people interested in the craft that is illustration.

Read my Design.nl review here

Design/ Highlights from Milan part 2

From top to bottom: Royal School of Arts, The Hague (KABK); KABK; Dutch Invertuals; Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU); 010-020; De Invasie; COS pop-up store; Street Art

While I love scouting for Dutch talents during fairs, graduate shows and exhibitions, sometimes it can be nice to take a little break and just wander around the city. Here are a few photos of my favourite shows in Milan.

Once again the COS pop-up store was so super minimalist, pure perfection! Some of my favourite items were seen at 010-020 – a collective from Rotterdam and Amsterdam – creating the most vibrant fabrics (Mae Engelgeer) and simplistic racks to hang them from (Jeroen van Leur).

Design/ Highlights from Milan part1

Here are a few of my favourite photos taken during the Salone del Mobile in Milan earlier this month. Each year the entire design world flocks to Milan to show off their latest products and furniture. Over at Rossana Orlandi, a space curated by the 'Godmother of design', you'll often find some real gems. I was impressed by Konstfack graduate Tobias Lutmann's brilliant Face-O-Mat, and the portrait he made of course! As always Scholten&Baijings presented some of the nicest combinations of colour and form, this year with silver company Georg Jensen. I also would love to own the glassware by BCXSY that goes from clear to completely opaque and would look great at a dinner party!

Read more about Spazio Rossana Orlandi here

Sneak Preview/ Wang

On Order/ My first Wang's

Above: Resort 2013 lookbook Below: The Jill

He's labelled the new King of cool, every self-respecting blogger owns at least one piece from his (affordable) line and he seems to epitomize street style. I'm talking of course about Alexander Wang, New York's finest dare I say 'American sportswear' designer.

I have always wanted to own a simple white T by the man himself but found inflated import prices so ludicrous I just never bothered. Last year though I bought a pair of tweed joggers, completely outside my comfort zone (consisting mainly of skinny jeans) and have found myself wearing them inside and out on a weekly basis.

After coveting many a pair of Wang boots I have finally decided to take the plunge and order a pair, before they sell out worldwide. These leather and white rubber cut-out boots are so clean and kooky, they should take me from winter to summer and back again and by the looks of it will suit trousers short and long. I am no longer defending myself. Jill, you are my latest quest, I shall see you on my feet next week!

Flat: by Borre

At the opening of their gallery exhibition in Amsterdam, I spoke with Borre Akkersdijk and Daan Spangenberg of by Borre about ideas, materials and hopes for the future.

Fashion, textiles and techniques take pride of place at Gallery 33 courtesy of by Borre for an entire month.

Suspended from the ceiling, pressed between sheets of  glass or hanging 15 metres high, there is no ‘normal’ way of showing the designs made by by Borre. Both Design Academy Eindhoven graduates, Borre Akkersdijk and Daan Spangenberg set up the brand a number of years ago and have quickly made a name for themselves in the Paris fashion scene. Creating innovative knits, thick textiles and heavy, almost sculptured jackets, the duo’s style is recognizable and very ‘now’.

Read the full article via this link

Personal note: I was invited to the newly opened Gallery 33 by a friend and was pleasantly surprised. Situated at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, admittedly an instant adder of city cool, the gallery itself is a great mix of disused factory and sleek contemporary styling with high ceilings and a mezzanine level. Borre and Daan seemed really enthusiastic about the expo and what was on show really impressed me, the thickness of material alone is something you just won't see on the high street or even high-end shops, it's really unique. I would definitely recommend you stop by the gallery if you're in Amsterdam and go take a look yourself. Almost all the products on show are for sale, but beware, because of the special techniques and materials, you will need a trust fund to buy anything that's not a scarf!

All images by Cassandra Pizzey @ Gallery 33

Dutch Nominee H&M Design Award 2013

Article featured on Design.nl

For the second year the H&M Award seeks a new talent from all over Europe. From ArtEZ graduate Thom Barends was chosen as one of eight finalists.  

In a collection that has deeper social meaning, fashion designer Thom Barends shows us his version of fashion forward.

Inspired by a newspaper article that stated ‘our’ generation is not guaranteed the financial securities our parents enjoyed, Barends started playing with the idea of a girl who is forced to live on the street, recycling her mother’s clothes.

For the H&M Design Award Barends showed a capsule collection featuring 1980s-inspired jackets, assymetrical skirts and grungy pailettes. Some pieces were reminiscent of Maison Martin Margiela classics such as a large blanket duffle coat and dress seemingly made from two different garments. Nonetheless, Barends somewhat dark take on future fashion pleased the jury headed by H&M’s Head of Design Ann-Sofie Johansson.

Chosen from 19 design schools divided over 8 countries now Barends represents the Netherlands in the competition to become the H&M Design Award-winner 2013. The winner of the H&M Design Award 2013 will be announced January 29, 11:00 a.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week as they host their own catwalk show. He or she will also receive a €50,000 cash prize and develop pieces from their collection to be sold at select H&M stores during autumn 2013.

Watch the videos to get an idea of Barends collection and ideas.

The other finalists are Alba Prat (UDK, Germany), Maia Bergman (Saint Martins, UK), Erik Litzén (Beckmans, Sweden), Eleonora Bruno (Polimoda, Italy), Mark Tan (Designskolen Kolding, Denmark), Daniela Salazar (Ecole Couture Parisienne, France) and Minju Kim (Artesis, Belgium).


Personal note:

From a commercial point of view I would love to see Alba Prat or Maia Bergman’s collection hanging in my local H&M! How beautiful are Bergman’s materials and I am in love with the sheer panels. Prat has great use of pattern and I think her collection is very wearable. Daniela Salazar’s collection is impeccable but to be honest I could only see that looking good on a 6ft model! Minju Kim’s collection on the other hand just screams fuuuuuuuun, but maybe not realistic for the highstreet. Well who knows?