Graduation-show ARTEZ 2015

It’s time for Graduation-shows again. The fashion department of Academy of Fine Arts in Arnhem (ArtEZ) kicked off with a big show, followed later this week by Rietveld Academy. This year 21 students graduated at the Academy in Arnhem, and they presented their collection in the Cityhall of Arnhem. Among them are five graduates which are nominated for the Frans Molenaarprijs 2015: Lilian Admiraal, Josephine Goverts, Max Zara Sterck, Tung Trinh en Maartje Janse. Two other students will represent ArtEZ during Lichting 2015 supported by V&D, Isabelle Tellié and Yvette Peek.

All graduates will show their collections in an exhibition about ArtEZ Finals 2015 in Arnhem from july 1st until 5th. The address: the former bankbuilding of ABN Amro at Gele Rijdersplein in Arnhem.

Here are the highlights of the show and the collections.

 

 

 

 

 

Trend Report SS15: clean blue

To say that denim is one of the biggest and most comfortable trends this season feels like one of the dullest and most obvious statements we could tell you right now. Has denim ever been out of style? Has it ever been off the radar? Has it ever been disliked or neglected? Na-ah. And for some good reasons. Thanks to icons like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe we’re still excited -which is an understatement, as we wear it almost every day- to pull of this iconic piece of fabric in every possible way. But for coming season designers were determined to recast denim and put a slightly more clean and luxurious stamp on it; cropped indigo mini-jackets at Burberry, clean tailoring at Margiela and retro vibes at Stella McCartney. The options are countless, but if you’re a committed denim worshipper, it’s time to tighten your relationship with the real deal: No fading. No bleaching. No glam. Keep it as easy as can be. That’s already a huge statement by itself.

 

Trend Report SS15 menswear: Summer suits

Dear men. If you’re only breaking out your suit for office adventures or special occasions, you’re doing it wrong. This season we’re begging you to get out of those comfy jeans and lift your bum and well trained torso in some fine tailored suit. Because it’s no question whether it looks good on you, but which one suits you best. No one told you it has to be old-fashioned and dull. Forget about black and grey suits, spring is serving you new minimalism elevated with unexpected materials, colors and details. Make the blue suit your best compagnon, a dominant theme on the Dior Home runway and seen at Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Or take Miuccia Prada as an example who showed stiff denim trousers paired with denim jackets. And how refreshing was the playful layering, wearing a blazer over a denim jacket as seen at J.Crew and Fendi. This season, we’ve seen it all from khaki, to electric pink, to stripes, to cool turquoise, to geometric patterns and dots to shiny fabrics. Dress to impress seems to be the main message. How far are you willing to go?

Trend Report SS2015: Patch(work) it up

Denim might never ever get out of style. Yet if it’s up to the big fashion houses we need to patch(work) it up a bit. Originality is key and with just some ripped jeans you’re not making the cut. Mixing everyday denim with more outspoken materials like patent leather (Burberry) or giving it a full on embroidery treatment (Dolce & Gabbana) will get you noticed. While a patchwork of different denim shades adds to that unique yet casual effect. On the streets the reworked denim look might have been even more alive than on the catwalk. Proof of the fabric’s versatility and the fact that we all have some (denim) blue blood.

Are you ready for Balmania?

 

What better moment to announce the new designerxH&M collection than at the Billboard Music Awards. Posting a short video with the caption “THE WORD IS OUT #secretrevealed join MY new ARMY #HMBALMAINNATION #areyouready?”, creative director Olivier Rousteing made the internet and fashion world burst with excitement. He follows in the footsteps of a long line of designer collaborators, from Karl Lagerfeld (2004) to Wang (2014). A great moment to take a closer look on Balmain’s DNA.

 The History

1945: Balmain is a French haute couture fashion house that was founded by Pierre Balmain.

1982: Pierre Balmain passed away and designer Erik Mortensen took over his role.

1990: designer Hervé Pierre took over working as director of ready-to-wear and haute couture.

1993: Oscar de la Renta took the helm. He had a huge impact on the luxury fashion house. He once created couture for the label, but the line was shuttered over a decade ago.

2006: Christophe Decarnin was the next name to take over the label and he sought to completely overhaul the Balmain aesthetic. By focusing on eveningwear, his sparkling, power shouldered and strong designs he provoked the ‘Balmania’ madness as we know nowadays.

2011: Olivier Rousteing was named the new creative director and designer. His task: modernising the brand and cultivate an even stronger base, with lots of French influences, to build on.

 Oliver Rousteing
Olivier Rousteing (1986) is das wunderkind in the world of fashion. Famous for his razor sharp cheekbones (how?!), his utterly interesting Instagram account with tons of supermodel selfies, and of course, his major talent as a fashion designer. He initially pursued a law degree, dropping out to study fashion at Paris’s École Supérieure Des Arts Et Techniques De La Mode. Soon after he moved to Italy to work at Cavalli, becoming the head of ready-to-wear. In 2011, when he was only 25 years old, he was asked to become creative director of Balmain, which made him the youngest designer to head a Parisian fashion house since Yves Saint Laurent at Christian Dior in the 1950s.

 The Balmain Army
Whilst mister Balmain himself invented The Jolie Madame or Jet set-woman, Rousteing won’t be doing much different today, but in a slightly more modern way. He likes to describe his ladies as the so-called “Balmain Army” and his soldiers are definitely worth for a little name-dropping, as he is the fashion prodigy behinds world’s biggest celebs including actress Kate Bosworth, Kim Kardashian, Kendal Jenner, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whitley and Daria Werbowy. Rousteing has also been hailed as a champion for casting diverse models in his catwalk shows and advertising campaigns, which, he said, is a result of his own mixed roots and background.

 The Balmain Style
It’s not a first that people go crazy over anything that wears the famous Balmain name tag. It even has a name: Balmania. Remember Decarnin’s bold-shouldered blazers? It launched a thousand knock-offs. And what about the biker pants worn by many A-listers? No wonder H&M was aiming for some Parisian rock’n roll as well. Rousteing’s richly embroidered, luxurious designs have earned him legions of fans. The designer has been credited with infusing the influential Paris house with a fresh, pop culture aesthetic, without lacking the brand’s spirit and tradition of craftsmanship.

The Balmain x H&M collection – which includes menswear as well as womenswear – will land in stores on November 5 2015. Who’s ready for some Balmainia?

Trend Report SS2015: C’mon Kimono

The full on eastern influenced fashion collections might have had their peek by now, Japanese references are still a ‘thing’. Like the kimono, which is popping at certain big shows (Gucci, Céline) this season. Not necessarily interwoven in a bigger oriental theme, but long silhouettes, accentuated waists and wide sleeves just randomly introduced. Tough and bondage-like at Alexander McQueen, elegant and crispy clean at Marni, sweet and girly at Temperley London. On the streets too, the kimono style has proven to give women of all ages that super elegant appearance. Whether quilted, made out of python leather, floral printed or denim; this fashion piece is ever so ladylike and original. C’mon kimono!

Trend Report SS2015: Boho/Hippie

Regardless of what styles are in, the hippie/boho look is always a winner in summertime. This season, besides the regular fringe, suede and floral printed touches, it includes airy, floor sweeping dresses. Some figure hugging (Cavalli), others loose and floaty (Chloé). Revealing bits and pieces of the skin through sheerness, cut-outs, high slits and lace detailing. A luxury feel inspired by Talitha Getty outspoken style is created by adding glam jewelry and highly decorated accessories. Ethnic, graphic and kaleidoscopic motifs are alternated by nudes and tan colored numbers. Bringing touches of Marrakesh from the seventies to the here and now.

Trend Report SS2015: Piece of Khaki

Whether safari, army or party is the code you’re sticking to, khaki is your go-to-color this season. Popping up in major runway shows like Chanel, Gucci and Marc Jacobs; army has you (almost) forgetting all about the chicness of black. Making this specific type of green you’re latest ‘basic’ shade next to navy, gray and, thus, black. And there’s no wondering why this color is a fashion favorite. This shade is both chic and tough. Slightly oversized, large pockets, epaulets, waist belts and a no-nonsense attitude will make everyone in this season’s hottest color look like a stunna. Easy as that, piece of khaki!

Blueprint Amsterdam 2015

The two-day denim festival Blueprint 2015 is a fact. For the second time we enjoyed the best denim brands, seminars, expos, vintage treasure hunting, music, food & drinks.

Streetwear Amsterdam Denim Days Kingpins Show

All denim-lovers and -addicts are gathered in Amsterdam these days. Amsterdam has turned blue during the Amsterdam Denim Days. The Kingpins Show was the first in a series of events and shows.And of course we spotted all shades of blue.

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