Said Mahrouf & Dennis Diem Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Sunday night Amsterdam Fashion Week came to an end with not one but two fashion shows, sponsored by Flower Fashion Group.

Dennis Diem

Dennis Diem’s collection ‘The Asphalt Jungle’ (inspired by this film noir film) was based on the beauty of the orchid. It included stunning corsets and bodysuits (Diem’ signature) made out of beautiful reptile scales, in black and off white. They were combined with incredibly high heels, with which Diem tried to change the charisma of a woman.

Besides the floral theme and the scales there were more nature-inspired influences in his designs. A black top was decorated by feathers, a light bodysuit was made out of white fur and bones and skulls were used for accessories (necklace and clutches) and those towering high shoes.

Like Mahrouf Diem also opted for very feminine touches like ruffles and floral shapes. He even ended his show with an exquisite white (bridal) gown. Still, his collection was completely different from that of Mahrouf. Diem added more of an edge to his looks and creatively showed off his handcraft skills in his details.

It might not have been the most wearable collection of the Amsterdam Fashion Week, but Diem certainly wowed us with his designs. We assume it won’t take long until Lady Gaga orders one of his unique looks to make a special appearance. Hats off for Diem for holding a great closing show. It might even be one of the best of the week.

Said Mahrouf

On a catwalk decorated with floral art Said Mahrouf was the first one to show his new collection inspired by roses and orchids.

During his fashion show debut in Amsterdam he showed summer dresses in off white and pretty pastels. Short playful dresses were followed by long elegant gowns. They all had fun and feminine details like asymmetry, ribbons, bows and twisted fabrics. The collection breathed summer, especially with the light yellow and green eye make-up.

A beautiful bridal gown with a subtle train and a white bouquet was the last look of Mahrouf’s super feminine collection. It perfectly combined the elegant collection and the show’s floral theme. How lovely!

Monique Collignon Couture Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Sweet and summer-y, that’s how we’d describe the debut collection of Monique Collignon Couture. Monique used pretty pastels and nude shades on kaftan dresses and tight pants. She combined sparkling fabrics for dresses and tops and made pants out of shiny silk. Materials looked light and transparent and gracefully moved as the models walked the catwalk.

Pastel shades were combined in a degrade way and on several designs a gold colored pegasus print popped up. MC tattoos on the models’ bodies and golden shiny hairclips added up to the supersweet show vibe.

All girly girls should line up at Wehkamp, ’cause there will be lots of women trying to get there hands on one of these designs.

Impressions of Amsterdam Fashion Week FW2012 Day 4

This was the fourth day of Amsterdam Fashion Week FW2012. An afternoon and evening filled with the Firestarters Talkshow, interesting shows of Custo, Tony Cohen and Gestuz. But the talk of the day was the Supertrash-show in the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. Olcay Gulsen transformed the venue in a golden Las Vegas-space, where sailorgirls guarded the frontrow. She also launched her own perfume, Supertrash Phenomenal.

SuperTrash Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

All the ingredients for the perfect SuperTrash show were there Saturday night. A great show area (Passenger Terminal), an enormous crowd (incl. a front row full of Dutch celebs) and an absolute party vibe.

Olcay Gulsen, head designer of Supertrash, and her team put attention in every little detail. All guests were welcomed by ladies dressed in golden SuperTrash pants and printed tees and everyone in the front row had someone waiting for them with a sailor cap on, with their names written on it.

Yet though we expected a nautical theme in the collection as well, we couldn’t spot it in the clothes. The collection was – as always – super sexy and feminine. Gorgeous long curly haired models showed silhouette accentuating dresses, playful skirts, sparkling pants and floor sweeping gowns. All looks styled off perfectly by chunky shiny bracelets and high silver heels.

After a first few looks in off white, beige and sand colored shades, the color palette changed into more earthy tones. An ethnic print, shown on a strong tough jacket/dress looked like perfection. The bright colored zigzag print that was  introduced (on a pair of pants, a long dress, top and jumpsuit ) later on felt a little too summer-ish for FW2012. But Olcay made up for with her finale of long sexy dresses. Those goddess gowns came in sparkly brown, beige, turquoise, purple and black and were the cherries on the pie for this fall/winter collection.

But no SuperTrash finale without designer Olcay showing  off her fabulous looks on stage, of course. This time it was an extra special appearance since Olcay did a small performance (in the style of Beyoncés Billboard awards show last year) while launching her first perfume ‘Phenomenal’.

A great collection out, a first perfume on the market and an enormous fashion crowd,who loves it all. What more can a designer wish for?

Olcay Gulsen doesn’t hold a SuperTrash fashion show every season, but when she does, she sure does it right!

Gestuz Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Minimal meets French rock ‘n roll’, according to designer Arina Woron and CEO  Sanne Nielsen that’s the way to describe the fall collection of Danish label Gestuz best. The collection called ‘through rocks and waves’ shows nature around the Danish costal scenery in it’s most rough but elegant way.  The inspiration for the theme came from the work of Kirsten Klein, a Danish photographer who makes pictures of nature. ‘We wanted to show raw nature, old and destroyed. As a starting point we took little pieces of different photo’s from Kirsten and put them together to make it one.’ The actual result you see in the print dresses and shirts.

And not only the prints reflect the theme perfectly, it’s also the use of fabrics like lace, wool, silk and leather, which made some interesting combinations.  Like a cotton lace maxi-dress combined with a leather jacket, biker trousers with a casual denim blouse or a sequin dress. ‘We really played with soft and rough elements and combined them in one look. Like the sequin dress which looks really soft and feminine, but the sequins are made of actual metal which gives it that rough edge.’ And if you want to give a dress some sharpness, just wear some biker boots underneath it.

Also the colors came straight out of nature, like olive green, black, gray and dusty red. ‘We use a lot of dark colors, so the red is to soften it up a bit and add some color to the collection’.

The Danish label shows what the Scandinavians designers are best in: making wearable clothes, simple, clean and elegant but always with a personal touch. And in this case,  the rock ‘n roll worked really well.

by Eva Dusch

Tony Cohen Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Tony Cohen’s new collection had some international allure today. Not only did the production of the show feel like some Paris fashion week show (Rick Owens?), even the designs seemed to aim more at an international market (Haider Ackermann?)

Tony’s designs were asymmetric, duocolored and formed a surprising mix of different textures. Nylon, wool, silk and fur came together in several looks.

Pointed vests and draped cardigans were tight together by leather waistbands and wintery scarves were tossed around the models’ bodies.

Some of dresses will look better on a more curvy woman, the silk pants on the other hand will look unflattering on any woman who’s larger than a size XS.

The deep colored looks (deep green, aubergine and plum) were styled off by dark ankle boots and leather & fur Laimbock gloves; simple, but strong.

It was a pleasant show to watch and we’re sure we’ll see some of these designs on Tony Cohen’s famous clientele (who sat front row this evening) very soon.

Sage & Ivy Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Friday afternoon we rushed from the Westergasterrein (where all the Fashion Week shows are held) to the Prinsengracht in center of Amsterdam for Sage & Ivy’s fashion show. It was held in a mirror studio which was full of classic mirrors from the 18th and 19th century. Together with some lit candles and soft piano music made up for a beautiful atmosphere. The perfect setting for showing the new collection, named Pelgrimage.

With this collection designer Alexia van Engelen showed a darker side of herself than she did with her previous collections. With her dark colored designs Alexia represented an almost spiritual quest through dark and mysterious landscapes.

The show opened with one of the strongest looks of the collection in a deep green shade (the color on which Alexia based her whole color palette). It had a beautiful silhouette and gorgeous details on the front and the back, which resembled a backbone.

It was followed by a long green (fake) fur coat, which Sage & Ivy’s new Russian customers will certainly approve. Skirts with peplums, delicate tops and a transparent dress were added to the mix. Two woven leather dresses, in brown and silver, looked stunning. As did the nude colored woolen dress and suit.

With a silk printed dress, a lace top with leather cuffs and collars and a tiny polka dot print Alexia turned a little more soft and feminine again. Not everything might have been very wearable, but we’re sure many of those designs will end up in fashion magazine pretty soon.

We quickly rushed back to see princess Maxima at the next Amsterdam Fashion Week show, happy we got a chance to see this one.

It’s All in The Family: Elise Kim

This edition of Amsterdam Fashion Week we focus at designers and their biggest supporters: their family. Where would they be without their mom, dad, brother(s), sister(s)and or grandma’s? They help finishing their designs, they drive the car, they cheer them up and cry emotional tears. The third family we would like to present Elise Kim with her mother and father in law.

SIS by Spijkers en Spijkers Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Yet again Truus and Riet Spijkers chose a strong woman as the inspiration for their new show. This time they were inspired by Bonnie, from the thirties crime couple Bonnie and Clyde. Faye Dunaway, the actrice who played Bonnie in 1967, was their muse for this collection.

Designs were feminine with a boyish twist. There were perfect pleated pants, oversize knitted cardigans, simple dresses with an accentuated waist. The designs came in multiple shades and prints, which came together in an art-deco way. The palette included shades like light grey, blue, camel and coral. Prints were made out of graphic patterns, small pistols and black checks.

Looks were styled off by berets and high heels with light glittering socks. Now that’s how you make crime sexy!

SIS by Spijkers en Spijkers Frontrow Amsterdam FW2012

It was crowded at the last show of a busy second Amsterdam Fashion Week day. Check out the front row of the SIS by Spijkers en Spijkers fashion show!

« Previous Page — Next Page »