AMWESTEN Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam SS16

In a world of fast fashion, designer Annemarie Westen wants to go back to craftsmanship, the point where the fashion process starts from scratch. “My work is never really based on a solid concept, it’s more about the feeling. It surpasses time or age and particular fashion seasons. I aim to give women a certain feeling, I want my clothes to strengthen who they are. Be equal to yourself. Sexyness and confidence is not depending on boobs or butts, but knowing yourself.” Something Annemarie herself has no trouble with, as this collection was full of her familiar signatures. Her designs are simplistic, sophisticated and wearable without losing elegance. She plays with subtle changes in the usual, using sharp graphic layers as a sign of strength, while the soft springy materials such as silk and wool emphasise a woman’s grace. But this time around she added more draping details in maxi-dresses and trousers. For a summer collection though, the colour palette was quite gloomy with only black, white and green. “Black is usually the basic pallet I’m working on, because it’s my favourite colour. And use of colour can cause distraction.” It perfectly fitted the dark, heavy music of Marilyn Manson and Pantera that reached our ears, and gave the show an even stronger heartbeat and a don’t-mess-with-me feeling. Exactly as she had hoped for.

Tailor&Elbaz Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam SS16

Two years ago designers slash models slash tv-personalities Maria Tailor and Tamara Elbaz took over Collection PRC, the label of former designer Percy Irausquin. But due to the lack of freedom and design possibilities, especially the lack of space for sporty and super trendy items, made them decide to start their own label. So they did, launching Tailor&Elbaz, a line based on their personal taste, mixing trendy with basic and casual with chic. The exact ingredients they showed today on the Amsterdam Runway. Except, they added a, let’s say, little show element to it. Because how not to go all the way when the theme is Alice in Wonderland. The catwalk was transformed into a dreamy fairytale setting, including a stretch of grass, enormous flowers, mushrooms and rose peddles. All is well, but the question was of course: what is Alice wearing today?

We can imagine Alice her wardrobe isn’t that surprising, but what would happen if you add some Tailor and Elbaz to it? The answer: she would definitely be more glamorous, rock ‘n roll and sporty. She would wear more polo dresses, blossoming skirts, pencil skirts, varsity jackets, ‘love’ and ‘queen’tops and denim shorts covered with hearts. Their color palette of choice existed of shades of black, white, blue and pink. After so much fairtytale sweetness and romance on the tennis court, the rock ‘n roll was mainly found in the many earrings, heavy cat eye make-up and severe ponytails.

This is not a collection that will make heads turn or still you fashion cravings, but if you’re in desperate need of some easy-going daywear glamour, stop searching.

Amsterdam Fashion Week SS16 Streetwear Day 3

What are they wearing during the Amsterdam Fashion Week? A Bas Kosters dress, this seasons Spijkers en Spijkers summer suit or an asymmetric Tony Cohen trench? We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy (Dutch) fashion and your own personal style.

Tony Cohen Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam SS16

It was back to square one for Tony Cohen and his SS2016 collection, which will be sold in Paris from September on. Moving forward and back at the same time… Tony went back to his core, the core of his firm but also the core of his designs. Remarkable was the slight change in silhouette as Tony Cohen appeared to have used more square shapes and straightened things up, both in the designs of his clothes and accessories. His color palette of choice existed of exquisite shades of black, white, gold, cream and green, combined with embroidery graphic prints inspired. Outfits balanced between handcrafted, detailed looks and clean, abstract designs, created for men and women who dare to show their true selves to the world. And dressed in one of these fashion numbers, any man or woman deserves to be seen.

P.S. Tony Cohen’s line 2LOVETONYCOHEN will from now on be named TONYCOHEN and will thus be part of the main, luxury line.

Noir Near Future Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam SS16

Fantasies of anxiety, Noir Near Future’s SS16 collection, started off very solid. Models with tight braided hairdos and silver lines on their faces appeared wearing either black dresses or black leggings with dito T-shirts, United Nude shoes to match. ‘Anxiety’ was printed on their outfits and backpacks, as well as (what appeared to be) frequency graphics. Disturbed and pixilated black and white prints.
Halfway through the show designer Bregje Cox changed things up. Outfits became light, airy and colorful prints (with exotic color combinations the brand is always looking for) were introduced. Dazzling graphics, mesmerizing stripes and mirror pieces attached to tops and dresses added to the fantasy effect of this summer collection. A collection based on the reflection of feelings of fear one can have when going through a creative process. Bregje Cox was inspired by the book ‘Het begrip angst’ van Kierkegaard, which asks the question if a generation can learn and love and copy feelings of patience and fear from previous generations or each invididual should learn this himself. No doubt NNF is heavily inspired by technology and science fiction. We’re anxious to see what’s next.

Disturbed and pixilated black and white prints.

Amsterdam Fashion Week Amsterdam SS16 Streetwear Day 1

What are they wearing during the Amsterdam Fashion Week? A Bas Kosters dress, this seasons Spijkers en Spijkers summer suit or an asymmetric Tony Cohen  trench? We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy (Dutch) fashion and your own personal style.

Aziz Bekkaoui Catwalk Fashion Show MBFWA FW2015

In times like these, it doesn’t always feel right to just show a collection of pretty clothes only the wealthiest people can afford. Sometimes, you need to be able to make a statement with fashion too. Yesterday Edwin Oudshoorn already presented us with his torn down world instead of his usual happy ever after. Today Aziz Bekkaoui had something to say too. He seemed to be making a political statement by using what looked like a Palestine flag print as the main print in his fall/winter collection. On socks, skirts, tops, blouses, dresses, beanies and backpacks; it popped up everywhere! Aziz’ message was all about love; a little reminder of what life should actually be all about. The show opened with the sound of a heartbeat, Aziz named the collection United Hearts Now and used heart shaped prints, embroideries and necklaces on most of his looks. Now his message might be political, the show had a cheerful feeling nevertheless. Old school hip hop songs by DJ Manga and the models’ funky styling made sure of that. As did the bright pops of color. Green, red, burgundy, pink and blue were all in the mix with the black & white graphic (pied de poule and jacquard) prints. Glass and wool, cashmere and silk. Urban danced with classic. Loose shorts, polo shirts, chunky knits, short sleeved vests and the models’ cool attitude brought everything together. Oh and not to mention those white sneakers. The fashion world wouldn’t be the same without those and Aziz knows all about it.

This was MBFWA Day 1

Day one of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam is a fact. It was a day to remember, with an impressive one minute silence for designer Frans Molenaar,a retrospective show of Five Years Avelon, the first fashionshow of Liselore Frowijn after winning the Frans Molenaar Award and Edwin Oudshoorn closing teh evening with an atmospheric show.

Liselore Frowijn Catwalk Fashion Show MBFWA FW2015

In 2013 she graduated from ArtEZ. That year she won the Frans Molenaar award and got honored for the designs she created for fashion label Chloe. Milestones leading up to Liselore Frowijn showing during Amsterdam Fashion Week for the first time today, during the opening night! Ten looks portrayed her colorful and graphic vision for fall. Chunky (ski attire inspired) knits and airy fabrics alternated each other in a playful game of both covering up and exposing. Inspired by the Triadisch Ballet of Oskar Schlemmer, so the show notes read. No. 3 Formania, officially a story of the contemperary’s generation need for harmony and order, and surely a joy to watch.

 

Avelon Catwalk Fashion Show MBFWA FW2015

Five years ago Erik Frenken started his adventure; he set up his own fashion label Avelon. Today he celebrated the brand’s anniversary with the presentation of his F/W collection. A video of his latest Paris fashion week experience, showing Erik’s journey, kicked off the show. A show full of rich designs inspired by wandering nomads. Knitted slouchy dresses, burgundy leather pieces, graphic printed skirts, ethnic chic cardigans, sheer tops, floaty dresses, baroque skirts matched with Avelon shoes. A-line silhouettes visible in most of the designs combined with feminine fitted waists, fur skin wraps, oversized blankets and chunky knits. Lots of diversity in materials and prints made this collection versatile, almost like an overview, a mix of styles. We’re glad Avelon returned to Amsterdam Fashion Week for this special occasion. A lovely collection to look forward to.

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