Modefabriek: day 2

After a quick limousine drive from the WFC I arrived at the RAI for the second and last day of the ‘Modefabriek’ (Factory of Fashion). What impressed me most was the Fashion Show from the ‘Cutting Edge’ and ‘Next’ area’s. I already enjoyed watching the clothes before the show.

A studded armpiece from silk dupion and leather took my attention immediately. Also a black leather dress, that was folded on the body and had no lining, from the Poland designer Maldoror, looked very special. During the show with supporting music everything came together and even more alive. The ‘Cutting Edge’ part of the show was the most raw and extravagant while the ‘Next’ part was more wearable.

Then there was a big jeans washlab. Stirred, scrubbed, laminated, ‘gunshot’, pressed, grinded and burn out denims seemed to be the next big thing in the land of jeans for next winter.

To protect myself for buying to many bags I didn’t allow myself to look at bag and accessory labels. Fortunately there was a small exhibition from the ‘Hendrikje’ museum with very special bags; like a poodle made of beads, a velours ninetheenth century clutch, a Swarovski dietcoke evening purse, a bag of peacock feathers and not to forget: the cupcake bag which one Carrie is wearing in Sex and the City. My creditcard was very happy with the protected window-glass between us.

Greatest Fashion Fair and Showroom event, Plein13

This morning I woke up very happy, and to be honest with you, I'm not that much into mornings at winter time. But can you imagine a better way than a Fashion Fair to start the day with? I can’t. Therefore I was singing while taking an early shower and at punctually 10.00 AM I stood in front of the World Fashion Centre.

After a quick coffee and cupcake I visited the first catwalkshow at a square downstairs in the WFC, named ‘Plein13’. I seemed to be almost the only one awake there, so I had a good view at the current collections of the participating WFC showroom owners like Antiflirt and Brands in Mokum.

After that I went to another tower, where the Greatest Fashion Fair took place. With over thirtyfive different brands, this is the place to be for buyers for modern and well fitting plus sizes. When the show started the room was full and sociable. The always smiling models gave an energetic show, which ended with a live performance of the singer Anouschka.

Pictures and text: Valerie Boersma

Sunday the 24th of January, an impression...

From top to bottom:

Official AIFW poster, special thanks to JCDecaux

PR agent of Jean//Phillip at modefabriek (left)

Designer Liza Koifman of OntFront at modefabriek (right)

Designer Miss Bibi at modefabriek (left)

Cultuur Couture at the Tropenmuseum (right)

All pictures by Maria Rudnaya

Ticket to the Tropics

Another exciting event that took place in the first weekend of the Downtown program of AIFW is the ‘Cultuur Couture’ exhibition at the Tropenmuseum, showing designs of 4 students of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. This highly original location turned out to be the perfect romantic, multicultural setting to show these collections that were the result of the Ethnic Costume Project at the Antwerp Academy. The group of students who can maybe already be called the ‘Antwerp 4’ of our days, consists of Izumu Hongo, Setareh Mohtarez, Matthieu Thouvenot and Pierre-Antoine Vettorello.

Hongo’s collection ‘Donkey Couture’ is a mature girly look inspired by ethnic costumes, in particular by a coat from Turkmenistan. The work of contemporary Japanese designers from Hongo’s home country turned out to be another source of inspiration, as well as donkeys who represent the feeling of ethnicity in the costumes. ‘Donkey Couture’ shows all these elements but watching the shapes in the collection one can also recognise the designer’s education as an architect. Hongo created a colourful multicultural fairytale that dazzled the audience.

The second collection showed was ‘L’ombilic des limbes’ by Matthieu Thouvenot, inspired by a black bridal costume from Bretagne. This Frenchman honoured his roots with a Chanel-like elegant feminine collection: a lot of black and pink with checkered prints, classic tweeds, feminine tops and romantic braids. The exquisite details and beautiful elegance make this a truly timeless collection.

‘Brightness Dawn’ by Setareh Mohtarez from Iran is a collection inspired by a Palestinian wedding gown. She sees these dresses as an actual jewel, an item that makes a woman feel truly special. She created a gown with golden embroidery, one that would lit up as if it was a starry sky when you would turn of the light....

The final collection presented at the Tropenmuseum was ‘Bonnie Magnum vs. Samantha Beretta’ by Frenchman Pierre Antoine Vettorello. His inspiration was an African Egun mask: a spooky hatpiece resembling a ghost. The collection breaths the fear for the ghosts and uses typical African prints on the fabrics. The designer was also inspired by strong sexy female heroes from comic books: this shows in the guns sowed into the garments. The name of the collection comes from 2 women names and 2 guntypes: both the name and the collection are highly original and combine two complete different elements.

The entire show was a joy to watch, from the beginning till the end… We want more!







Pictures from top to bottom:

Tropenmuseum
'Donkey Couture' by Izumu Hongo
'L’ombilic des limbes' by Matthieu Thouvenot
‘Brightness Dawn’ by Setareh Mohtarez (left)
Bonnie Magnum vs. Samantha Beretta’ by Pierre Antoine Vettorello (right)







All pictures by Maria Rudnaya
Written by Lisa Goudsmit