Thursday, 30 July 2009
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Big Fish
Ladies and Gentlemen, Amsterdam Fashion Week official kicked off today! Bet you are as excited as i am :)
One of the designers to be showcased over the course of the week is Ilja Visser. Had the pleasure of interviewing her about 19 months ago or so, when i was finishing up my post grad at London College of Fashion.
Below is the interview:
Ilja Visser working
Sophisticated Lady
With unbridled enthusiasm, Ilja Visser pops out from behind the menu, flashes a big smile at the waiter ready to jot down her order, and ask in a silky voice, “What’s good”? Epitomizing the very woman she designs for, the 28-year-old designer is confident, unapologetically feminine, and tough: she is today’s sophisticated girl.
From the age of four, this fashion design graduate of the prestigious Fashion Institute Arnhem (FIA) in the Netherlands has “never wanted to do anything else.” Graduating with accolades in 2001, she interned for Donna Karen and Chilean designer Maria Cornjeo Zero in New York, before heading to Milan, to soak up the renowned fashion scene. Back in The Netherlands, while she could have settled at a number of well-known design houses, she opted for the more challenging route and launched her label Ilja Visser Couture in 2005.
Since presenting her first collection, the autumn/winter 2006 line themed Valizz at the 2005 Amsterdam fashion week, the designer, dressed today in jeans and a grey cable-knit sweater explains: “everything has been going the way I wanted it”.
The collection, which included silk blouses in crimson red and sky blue, fitted light cotton pants and the spectacular satin waist-nipped dress, was inspired by the joys of traveling and it-girls of the 70’s, from Charlie’s Angels to Bo Derek.
Received positively by industry and peers alike, it landed her a spot, alongside fellow Dutch designers Daryl van Wouw, Percy Irausquin, Emily Hermans and Edwin Oudshoorn on the Promise Programme. An initiative of several top Dutch fashion insiders, the programme funds the shows of talented new designers.
Fast-forward a year and many sleepless nights later, and fashion insiders are not the only ones taking notice of Ilja’s talent. She now has high-end Amsterdam boutiques such as SPRMRKT jumping at the opportunity to stock her label, not to mention the flock of trendy Dutch celebrities donning her creations.
“It’s such a hard job, not creatively but financially,” she says about starting and managing her own line, but “that’s what I like about it… I like to make the impossible come true and to be honest, working for a boss or brand would put me to sleep.”
Ilja never has to worry about nodding off now: she just wrapped up her third collection which she showcased at the 5th edition of Amsterdam fashion week, and recently added a prêt-a-porter line Ready to Fish to her label. With a penchant for feminine fabrics such as satin and silk because “they feel like cream on the body”, Ilja describes her line as “audacious, designs for today’s sophisticated girl”. A sophisticated girl, she adds, is “someone who has a story inside not just only in her clothes, she is someone who is aware of her femininity, someone who is confident and feels comfortable in clothing and doesn’t just follow fashion trends”.
Influenced especially by designers Olivier Theyskens and Elsa Schiaparelli, she also a firm believer that “sophistication is in subtlety; … in the simple and small things.” And it is in the simple things in life, from a lovely conversation with a friend to a funny magazine quote that she draws inspiration.
The designer also has quite a thing for fishes. For Valizz, for example, she sent models onto the runway with fish pendants, knots tied around their necks and fin-like accessories. “With each collection of course, I will introduce a different theme, but a fish concept will always be the red thread through all the collections”. This fascination is to do with her last name, which, translated into English means fisherman, but also, as she explains: “I like fashion where there is a sense of humour; it doesn’t have to be all serious all the time.”
In between her busy schedule, Ilja is also involved with many charitable organizations “I think it’s very good if you can do something for charity… we all should do that”.
In 2005, together with designer and good friend Daryl van Wouw, she designed a collection of 15 sporty dresses, T-shirts and pants for Dutch Puppy, a non profit organization which advocates for the protection of dogs in and outside Holland. For breast cancer awareness organization, Pink Ribbon, she joined fellow up-and-coming Dutch designers including Edwin Oudshoorn and Emily Hermans in creating attires for Barbie. Ilja’s creation- a beautiful satin dress with one seam- and that of the other designers were then auctioned off with proceeds going to the charity.
Speaking of her fellow Dutch designers and the burgeoning fashion scene, Ilja is nothing but positive: “I think we are going way up now, it’s getting better and better. Also there are the different platforms now where you can show… the whole fashion scene is coming alive”.
While she recognizes the role Victor & Rolf have played: “I think they (fashion industry) finally saw that it’s possible, you know for Dutch designers to do something big like that,” she is also adamant that there has always been talented designers in the Netherlands.
“I know that Dutch designers are very wanted, I know many designers who graduated from Fashion Institute in Arhnem that work for very big brands.” For the future, Ilja wouldn’t mind being in Viktor &Rolf’s shoes and at the rate she is going it wouldn’t be surprising if she becomes the next big fish.
For more information: www.iljavisser.com. The Ilja Visser Group was established in the beginning of 2009 to house her three labels "Ilja", "Ready to Fish" and "Valizz"
The designer’s creations are available at
SPRMRKT in Amsterdam (+31 (0)20 33056 01
One of the designers to be showcased over the course of the week is Ilja Visser. Had the pleasure of interviewing her about 19 months ago or so, when i was finishing up my post grad at London College of Fashion.
Below is the interview:
Ilja Visser working
Sophisticated Lady
With unbridled enthusiasm, Ilja Visser pops out from behind the menu, flashes a big smile at the waiter ready to jot down her order, and ask in a silky voice, “What’s good”? Epitomizing the very woman she designs for, the 28-year-old designer is confident, unapologetically feminine, and tough: she is today’s sophisticated girl.
From the age of four, this fashion design graduate of the prestigious Fashion Institute Arnhem (FIA) in the Netherlands has “never wanted to do anything else.” Graduating with accolades in 2001, she interned for Donna Karen and Chilean designer Maria Cornjeo Zero in New York, before heading to Milan, to soak up the renowned fashion scene. Back in The Netherlands, while she could have settled at a number of well-known design houses, she opted for the more challenging route and launched her label Ilja Visser Couture in 2005.
Since presenting her first collection, the autumn/winter 2006 line themed Valizz at the 2005 Amsterdam fashion week, the designer, dressed today in jeans and a grey cable-knit sweater explains: “everything has been going the way I wanted it”.
The collection, which included silk blouses in crimson red and sky blue, fitted light cotton pants and the spectacular satin waist-nipped dress, was inspired by the joys of traveling and it-girls of the 70’s, from Charlie’s Angels to Bo Derek.
Received positively by industry and peers alike, it landed her a spot, alongside fellow Dutch designers Daryl van Wouw, Percy Irausquin, Emily Hermans and Edwin Oudshoorn on the Promise Programme. An initiative of several top Dutch fashion insiders, the programme funds the shows of talented new designers.
Fast-forward a year and many sleepless nights later, and fashion insiders are not the only ones taking notice of Ilja’s talent. She now has high-end Amsterdam boutiques such as SPRMRKT jumping at the opportunity to stock her label, not to mention the flock of trendy Dutch celebrities donning her creations.
“It’s such a hard job, not creatively but financially,” she says about starting and managing her own line, but “that’s what I like about it… I like to make the impossible come true and to be honest, working for a boss or brand would put me to sleep.”
Ilja never has to worry about nodding off now: she just wrapped up her third collection which she showcased at the 5th edition of Amsterdam fashion week, and recently added a prêt-a-porter line Ready to Fish to her label. With a penchant for feminine fabrics such as satin and silk because “they feel like cream on the body”, Ilja describes her line as “audacious, designs for today’s sophisticated girl”. A sophisticated girl, she adds, is “someone who has a story inside not just only in her clothes, she is someone who is aware of her femininity, someone who is confident and feels comfortable in clothing and doesn’t just follow fashion trends”.
Influenced especially by designers Olivier Theyskens and Elsa Schiaparelli, she also a firm believer that “sophistication is in subtlety; … in the simple and small things.” And it is in the simple things in life, from a lovely conversation with a friend to a funny magazine quote that she draws inspiration.
The designer also has quite a thing for fishes. For Valizz, for example, she sent models onto the runway with fish pendants, knots tied around their necks and fin-like accessories. “With each collection of course, I will introduce a different theme, but a fish concept will always be the red thread through all the collections”. This fascination is to do with her last name, which, translated into English means fisherman, but also, as she explains: “I like fashion where there is a sense of humour; it doesn’t have to be all serious all the time.”
In between her busy schedule, Ilja is also involved with many charitable organizations “I think it’s very good if you can do something for charity… we all should do that”.
In 2005, together with designer and good friend Daryl van Wouw, she designed a collection of 15 sporty dresses, T-shirts and pants for Dutch Puppy, a non profit organization which advocates for the protection of dogs in and outside Holland. For breast cancer awareness organization, Pink Ribbon, she joined fellow up-and-coming Dutch designers including Edwin Oudshoorn and Emily Hermans in creating attires for Barbie. Ilja’s creation- a beautiful satin dress with one seam- and that of the other designers were then auctioned off with proceeds going to the charity.
Speaking of her fellow Dutch designers and the burgeoning fashion scene, Ilja is nothing but positive: “I think we are going way up now, it’s getting better and better. Also there are the different platforms now where you can show… the whole fashion scene is coming alive”.
While she recognizes the role Victor & Rolf have played: “I think they (fashion industry) finally saw that it’s possible, you know for Dutch designers to do something big like that,” she is also adamant that there has always been talented designers in the Netherlands.
“I know that Dutch designers are very wanted, I know many designers who graduated from Fashion Institute in Arhnem that work for very big brands.” For the future, Ilja wouldn’t mind being in Viktor &Rolf’s shoes and at the rate she is going it wouldn’t be surprising if she becomes the next big fish.
For more information: www.iljavisser.com. The Ilja Visser Group was established in the beginning of 2009 to house her three labels "Ilja", "Ready to Fish" and "Valizz"
The designer’s creations are available at
SPRMRKT in Amsterdam (+31 (0)20 33056 01
Prada's Poetry
Prada's New Store in Paris."Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Prada woos with poetic hues?"
Not bad no?:)
Although on the surface it might seem that fashion and poetry have nothing in common, but that's often times far from the truth. Designers are charmed by haiku's, sonnets and epics just like most of us. They just channel it into garments, accessories and shoes.
For their latest temporary store in Paris, Prada has looked to the French poet, Apollinaire's piece
Le Pont Mirabeau for inspiration.
Le Pont Mirabeau describes the French capital's first metal bridge which spans the Seine from the 15th arrondissement (left bank), to the 16th arrondissement.
Looking at the building, designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, the source of inspiration is clear. Don't you think? Unfortunately, Prada occupies it for only five months. Shame, i like. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Dutch Street
© Au Coin De Ma Rue
Op Zijn Nederlands!
For those who don't speak Dutch... Well, i believe there are number of online dictionaries at your disposal... Only joking, only joking.
Op zijn Nederlands, means "The Dutch Way", loosely translated of course.
And this is appropriate seeing as one of the hottest the new street fashion blog hails from Amsterdam.
Saxophone please (i don't like drum rolls anymore)
Au coin de ma rue is the brainchild of a very fashionable lady who lives somewhere between Amsterdam and Brussels, and perhaps even tends to a garden or two, seeing as goes by the name of "tuinwoman"= garden woman!
i like.
What also speaks to be is the french feel and title which means "On the street corner".
I seem to be acting as a translator today, i do beg your pardon!
To the matter at hand: The images! I see them to be as much about the person as they are about the ensembles. What i also find fitting is how there are two frames, with each one focusing on one particular aspect of the outfit.
i like it
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Secret is Out
My friend's visit to London naturally meant wandering around Brick lane ( we do Deptford market this Saturday wohooooo). Now, all i wanted was a curry or a perhaps a prawn Biryani? I was sure of desert: a fudge brownie at that Beigel place that's open 24-7! yummy!
Food was all that was on my mind! Food. Not shopping! No strolling into beyond Retro or Hurwandeki for a quick glance. NO! NO! In fact at the moment i am getting rid of half my wardrobe, okay, okay, let's say a sixth:)!
I really never knew i had these many clothes, okay i did! :)
But temptation caught up with me by way of a flyer: SECRETSAMPLE SALE FLYER being handed out by very good looking and trendy Japanese man!
That of course was going to be be le downfall; like i could resist taking a flyer from a hot guy!
Shall we rewind to the faithful day for the full effects:
MB: Ummmm , i just want a bagel
Friend from Sweden: We could check it out, i need a winter coat, my black one, you know the one, is wearing out! and it's 90 percent off the likes of Hamish Marrow , Stella, Chloe and Jonathan Saunders......
MB:Ummmmm, okay, but i will just look. only looking
well, i saw some amazing designers i knew nothing of like the london based Yuchi. the draping makes me swoon!
And almost bought this bright dress from the designers at Tofu. But i was good
got only two items both from brighton-based label Yamama; a red fitting ruffled dress
and pink pleated skirt.
all for under 30 quid; told you guys i am on a mission.
The day after i thrifed this super cool leather bag from a vintage stall in depftord market for one pound. people don't know a good thing really :)
Food was all that was on my mind! Food. Not shopping! No strolling into beyond Retro or Hurwandeki for a quick glance. NO! NO! In fact at the moment i am getting rid of half my wardrobe, okay, okay, let's say a sixth:)!
I really never knew i had these many clothes, okay i did! :)
But temptation caught up with me by way of a flyer: SECRETSAMPLE SALE FLYER being handed out by very good looking and trendy Japanese man!
That of course was going to be be le downfall; like i could resist taking a flyer from a hot guy!
Shall we rewind to the faithful day for the full effects:
MB: Ummmm , i just want a bagel
Friend from Sweden: We could check it out, i need a winter coat, my black one, you know the one, is wearing out! and it's 90 percent off the likes of Hamish Marrow , Stella, Chloe and Jonathan Saunders......
MB:Ummmmm, okay, but i will just look. only looking
well, i saw some amazing designers i knew nothing of like the london based Yuchi. the draping makes me swoon!
And almost bought this bright dress from the designers at Tofu. But i was good
got only two items both from brighton-based label Yamama; a red fitting ruffled dress
and pink pleated skirt.
all for under 30 quid; told you guys i am on a mission.
The day after i thrifed this super cool leather bag from a vintage stall in depftord market for one pound. people don't know a good thing really :)
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Street Conventions
In many ways i live in a bygone era.
I love the days when men walked tall in shined shoes, fixing the collar of their pressed suit and wiping the sweat of their foreheads with a handkerchief as a beautiful lady walked by. Yah, i watch too many movies :)
Oh, the days of yesterday.
One of the reasons why i am very charmed by the Travis “Trav” Gumbs and Joshua “JKISSI” Kissi, the gentlemen behind Street Etiquette.
Most hip hop heads will know that the term street etiquette is from a Nas tune.
But the Bronxites are inspired by more than just hip hop: theirs is a style that's "a mixture of class and sophistication with a gritty, urban twist.... our Street Etiquette is our love for HipHop, Hood Art (graffiti) and most of all our love for incorporating different styles of fashion into our urban style."
I love their style and their blog is very well put together , bringing a welcomed perspective to style blogs directed at men. And the boys, might i add. are quite easy on the eye too :)
Cake is on Marit Fujiwara
" Shall we close our eyes
hold our breathes
see with our hands
fall with our senses
and dance in translucent labyrinths
for a lifetime
or for one magical night" © MB Akinyemi
A lot people have reservations about fashion design, especially when it comes to rendering it an art form. Which is a damn shame, if you ask me. For those people i would like to introduce Marit Fujiwara. Found her designs on Susie Bubble's website and had to take a moment. Actually i took about 30 minutes, made some tea, took another 10 mins, sighed a little, then grasped at how intricate the pieces are. Then i was okay!
Gorgeous. I am excited! I would probably be too scared to wear the designs and just want to look at them over and over and over, over the course of an hour, like an art piece hanging from my wardrobe.
The talented designer is BA Textile Design grad from Chelsea College of Art and Design. And the designs are part of her final collection dubbed 'Wound. Marit affectionately refers to some of her pieces as 'cake'. Yep, i am feeling a sweet sweet tooth coming on, to hell with all my healthy living. oh well!
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
September is in Vogue
I love Anna Wintour. Yes, she wears FUR! And, yes she might instill the fear of God in many, and might i just add that i really don't understand the concept of wearing sunglasses indoors- reminds me of guys in the club that try to hit on you! But she knows her own mind, and as she so kindly put it in an interview " she hates mediocrity" as do i.
hear hear madam.
hear hear madam.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
A French Woman in Amsterdam
Mon Dieu, what’s a French woman to do in Amsterdam? Well, take beautiful pictures of the city's fashion conscious of course. Truth be told, Amsterdam is known for a couple of things... and fashion isn't one of them, aside from perhaps the wonderful team of Viktor & Rolf!
Perhaps the lovely Garance Doré will fix this. For the upcoming Amsterdam Fashion Week, the famous fashion blogger will capture images of Amsterdam’s fashionable citizens at shows and various other events. The images will be displayed at the Amsterdam Photography Museum for 10 days - 18 until 27 July 2009. What is expected to be quite a popuar display, the exhibit is comprised of projection shows and will see prints displayed on the walls of the museum. And I shall be there as I am going home during that week! Not to worry I bring you back windmills and herring :)!
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