Lichting 2018

Ferry Schiffelers

On Friday 7 September, AMFI [Amsterdam Fashion Institute Amsterdam] graduate Ferry Schiffelers won Lichting 2018, the prize for upcoming fashion talent. In a catwalk show, in the middle of Museumplein in Amsterdam, 14 fashion graduates presented their graduation collections to national and international fashion professionals. Although all 14 designers showed promising proposals, the jury panel chose Ferry Schiffelers, the most promising talent in the Netherlands. He won the Lichting 2018 Award worth € 10,000, made available by the Meester Koetsier Foundation.

With his Défilé De Deuil collection Ferry combines his fascination for rituals around funerals and his great love for feminine beauty. By linking this vision to Victorian mourning portraits, in which widows were portrayed in extremely elaborate mourning dresses, he created a modern group portrait in which different generations of women show the power of femininity.

The winner of the Lichting 2018 Award was chosen by a renowned international panel consisting of Alvise Bullo [Junior Research Manager Creative Talents LVMH Fashion Group], Christopher New [Course Leader BA Fashion Menswear and Fashion Program Academic Quality Coordinator Central Saint Martins], Filep Motwary [Independent curator and author, photographer, fashion features editor Dapper Dan Magazine], Gry Nissen [Creative Director].

The 14 finalists of Lichting 2018 are: Berend Brus, Pia Walter, Nathan Klein, Jasmijn Taken, Timothy Scholten, Yuki Ito, Sonia Oet & Line Arngaard, Yaroslav Glazunov, Jessica van Halteren, Rena Jansen, Nina Pen, Maria van Steenoven, Mathieu Jonker.

Lichting is an initiative of HTNK and Amsterdam Fashion Week. Lichting was launched in 2007 and each year the best graduate collection of the country gets awarded. Each school out of seven Dutch fashion academies sends out two graduates, who get to show selection of five outfits on the runway during Amsterdam Fashion Week. Prior to the show, they have to present and defend their work in front of an international jury. 

More information: www.lichting.nl

MAFAD Graduation Expo 2018

Nathan Klein

MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design) presented their newest graduates; the class of 2018. With an exhibition staged at the academy MAFAD presents the Design and Fine Arts graduates. This year, the design department in particular showcased an energetic exhibition with multiple future promises. The class of 2018 shows creativity with engaging themes withiout losing sense for commercial potential.
Twelve of them already caught attention at FASHIONCLASH Festival under the name Collective 12. Nathan Klein took away the Chapeau Magazine Award and selection for Lichting 2018 with his personal coming-of-age collection 'The First Time He Kissed a Boy'.
"I was inspired by a teenage experience that left me questioning myself. A loss of innocence during adolescence, the moment just before a teenage crush burst its dam and becomes a fully fledged first love, the is a story about coming-of-age." Kalkidan Hoex created a series of jewelry inspired by her Ethiopian heritage, mixing youth cultures and illustration, she presented a strong and cohesive proposal.
Pia Walter merged contemporary and digital lives together with raw nature by working with recycled tents, army equipement and prints. She is the second finalist for the national best of graduate show the Lichting.  Nienke Creemers showed an engaging protest collection inspired by the history of cotton. 'UNPICKING COTTON' is a protest against the fashion industry and it's rich history of abuse. "While making my collection I tried to make everything as fair and ecological as possible. Soon i discovered this wasn't possible. Even though my intentions were good, I couldn't achieve a 100% fair collection. The knowledge about the industry's history and how we view fashion now, made me think: Did our colonial history influence the way the fashion industry is now?" 
Laura van der Spoel presented a collection of textiles inspired by the attemt to inspire people to stand out from the crowd. Her material experiments were translated into garments and presented on models showing the potential to design for both fashion as interiur market. Sam Schobbe showed ready to wear commercial potential with her print collection inspired by the positive characteristics from ADHD. With this personal inspiration her attempt was to make her ADHD tangible.  
Michelle Zwinkels and Bojanna Aleksić, both experimented with boundaries between jewelry, accessories and fashion design around the body. While Anke Bos merged illustration and textile with her project 'Teleurgang van de millennials'.

Bert Snaterse

At the Fine Arts department Morena Bamberger stood out with an installation inspired by dream images. Her work ‘Reinconnection’ earned her the Gilbert de Bontridderprijs 2018 award. A large space was completely transformed into a cave expressing her own dream world and imagination. The work of Bert Snaterse was presented in various rooms.
Inspired by 'the body and the physical', 'the light on a discarded mattress' and the fact' that the color pink has only been a girls' color since the 1950s', the work of Bert seems quirky and banal, but while taking a closer look we discovere sincere layers of

Take a look at the picture report
all images are by brankopopovicblog

MAFAD Graduation Show 2018

Nienke Creemers

Under the name Collective 12, twelve graduates from Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design joined forces and presented their collections at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2018. Presenting various visions, material experiments and relevant themes their passion came across. Nathan Klein and Pia Walter are selected for the Lichting Show, the best of graduate show in The Netherlands. Nathan Klein was also awarded with Chapeau Magazine Talent Award during the festival.

Graduates: Nathan Klein, Nienke Creemers, Pia Walter, Sam Schobbe, Laura Van der Spoel, Nieke Verkennis, Michelle Zwinkels, Bojanna Aleksic, Helen Hentschke, Jessie Witters, Valéry Fiddelaers, Pauline Hetger

More info: www.facebook.com/COLLECTIVE12 / Instagram @Collective_12

Picture report by brankopopovciblog, Ginger Bloemen

MAFAD - Graduation Expo 2017

Jessica den Hartog

From Thursday 6 July to Tuesday the 11th, MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design) presented their newest graduates, The class of 2017.
With this exhibition they have mixed the departments, previewing the new Design curriculum and offering a fresh view into MAFAD's talent. 

About the new MAFAD curriculum: MAFAD is seeking for a new generation of idealistic and socially engaged students viewing society and the existing systems with a critical eye. Inspired by leading innovators, a symbiotic and sustainable image has emerged in which life is consciously expressed in terms of a new identity. The areas of Body, Object and Material become more personally oriented towards society, the community. They research new materials and techniques of our age and the future. It’s a time that is inciting young designers like our students to innovate and to redefine what Body, Object and Material can be. A global social plea for freedom, self-expression and engagement?

MAFAD offers both an applied and an autonomous program, individually or in collective practices. Our students explore the challenge in finding the right tools to translate an idea into material. The development of new technologies and a grasp of the importance of sustainability are values that drive students and cause them to expand the borders of the traditional systems. With their innovative solutions and fresh designs, their generation has arrived at the interface between Design and Applied Arts embracing the crafts.

www.mafad.nl

Take a look at some highlights from the Class of 2017.

Jessica den Hartog

PRE-STIMULIS Project

PRE-STIMULIS
A project by FASHIONCLASH & MAFAD, in collaboration with the Maastricht Academy of Performing Arts

The opening of FASHIONCLASH Festival took place on Thursday 29th of June at the Forza Fashion House in the LAB Building/Het Radium. This was also the official opening of the The Forza Fashion House, the new breeding ground for creative, cultural and entrepreneurial Maastricht and also the new FASHIONCLASH office. Directed by theatre makers Joost Horward and Nina Willems the evening contained interdisciplinary performances and installations by students from MAFAD and Maastricht Academy of Performing Arts.

PRE-STIMULIS Project
Specially for the opening of the festival, FASHIONCLASH teamed up with MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design). In the context of the new design curriculum ‘BODY, OBJECT & MATERIAL’, the second-year BODY design students were assigned to do artistic research on the ‘senses’ in relation to the festival’s theme 'Fashion Makes Sense'. In addition, each student has been connected to one or two students from the Maastricht Academy of Performing Arts. Based on the research of the design students, each team developed a concept in which they expressed their vision and findings on the ‘senses’ and new ways how to create an enriched embodied experience for the audience.

Marcel van Kan (MAFAD) and Branko Popovic (FASHIONCLASH), togehter with Joost Horward and Nina Willems coached the students during the proces of research and execution of the performances. The project concluded in nine participatory installations / performances.

Participants Students MAFAD: Ashley Luypaers, Max Niereisel, María Voth Velasco, Michelle Cornelissen, Dana Lipka, Julina Bezold, Natalia Rumiantseva, Empar Juanes Sanchis

Students the Maastricht Academy of Performing Arts: Anthony van Gog, Nora Ramakers, Diederik Kreike, Izak Berman, Luca Meisters, Anna Luca da Silva, Maarten Heijnens, Caro Derkx, Mees Walter, Maxime Dreesen, Anoek Oostermeijer

1. Michelle Cornelissen & Nora Ramakers
H2O  (ρ = m / V + 70 °C) - sin α = 1 . λ/d (c=f.λ)
Colour Fluctus, part 9

Colour Fluctus part 9 registers an unique footprint, captured by colour. The movement, translated by the pigments, shows a timetable and controls the colours and patterns. The impact of the movement becomes visible once the colour is poured into the water. At the same time, we archive and measure the body movements as manifestations of emotions. The pattern is a memory of this particular moment and tells a story about one's character.  
Performers: Laura Hogeweg, Froukje de Boer, Nora Ramakers, Michelle Cornelissen

Opening STUDIO ÇEDILLE DESIGN in Maastricht

Designer Françoise Oostwegel opens her own studio / store 'STUDIO ÇEDILLE DESIGN' in the stylish heart of Maastricht. Located in Minckelersstraat 16, STUDIO ÇEDILLE DESIGN will not only funcion as Oostwegel's studio but also as store that offers other young designers a platform to sell their work. Therefore this store is a must-see feature to Maastricht's shopping experience.

Françoise Oostwegel graduated from MAFAD in 2014 and since then, she successfully exhibited her work at various events and galleries. She is mostly known for her graduation project, a lamp titled 'ZUID' (south) and the lounge chiar FYRSTA.

'The lamp “ZUID” tells the story about the Limburg province in the South of The Netherlands. The characteristics of the Limburg province are brought to life in my lamp like the shape, material and colors.
 The traditional timbered houses and mining lamps inspired me for the shape of the lamp.
 The octagonal shape gives it a sleek design and is made out of wood. For the wood I selected a Limburg style type of oak wood. It has a beautiful wood grain and oak trees grow in my hometown – Houthem. The lamp can have multiple functions. The handle enables the user to move it around and create light in places most desired. The basic and natural materials give it a nice and clean look and make this piece very versatile.'

http://www.francoiseoostwegel.nl

ZUID

MAFAD Graduation Show 2016

Maarten van Mulken

MAFAD Graduation Show featured only five graduates but all of them presented interesting collections, in fact some of them where among the highlight of the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016. Maarten van Mulken and Domino Vugts where both finalists at the Lichting Show.

Maarten van Mulken aims to challange the wearer to think and not just consume. He drew inspiration from the ‘autarkic egos’ of people, the term invented by philosopher Ayn Rand who states that someone who holds an idea doesn’t change that to please other people. It’s a person who makes his own rational choices and thinks before he acts.

' I try to let my designs embody an idea, shaped into a form that clashes two worlds. On one hand it’s clothing that is well crafted, and on the other, it brings a statement that should raise questions with the audience about how they make their decisions in buying clothes. They cannot just be beautiful pieces of clothing, they have to give the viewer something to think about.' 
With my collection I wanted to transform opinions people have towards consumption. I wanted to create my own resistance army of aggressive women that embody this idea. They choose for themselves and will not yield their ideas to anybody. At the start of my design process I cut up a lot of army clothing and rearranged it in a new order to show the ridiculousness of how fashion makes clothing that’s rather impractical to wear. I chose army clothing for multiple reasons, but mostly because army clothing is practical and by cutting it up the practical side gets lost. From that point on, I wanted to work with patterns that save fabric in cutting, but because of that you lose even more fabric in a piece of clothing. Normally making patterns for garments produces a lot of wasted fabric, in my collection I instead create patterns that use the whole width of the fabric, which does not allow for waste. However, the design keeps all the lost fabric on the body, so in the end much more fabric is used compared to a conventional way of construction. This could trigger the audience to question their views on overconsumption in fashion.'

Domino Vugts aimed to design a women's collection with elements from Formula 1 racing aesthetic. 'I see Formula 1 as a very cool, powerful and high speed sport, but also as a field which is still dominated by men. Currently there are no female drivers in the Formula 1 racing teams. I find this shocking. I believe that women are fully empowered to work in every field they want so it makes me sad to see the opposite. In this racing sport men are seen as winners and heroes whereas women are seen as sensual objects. I believe this has to change! Women are not mere decoration; women are individuals with visions, focus and strength. My collection reflects what I think women could be, if they dare. I playfully want to challenge women to step out of their comfort zone and dare to be the heroines and winners I know they are. She who dares, wins.' 

Ilona Simons presented a promising menswear proposal with her collection 'I am I man', Mia Wolff Metternich presented a collection based on textile design and Victoria Keller melted the hearts of the audience with a kids collection, not only with adorable models but also with a good collection.

www.mafad.nl

All images by brankopopovicblog

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016 - Program

The 8th edition of the international and multidisciplinary FASHIONCLASH Festival will take place from June 30th until July 3rd 2016.

During this sensational four-day festival, over 100 fashion designers and (performing) artists from 30 different countries and 6 continents can be discovered. -> participants

FASHIONCLASH Festival is a unique opportunity to get inspired by the art of fashion and to discover new talent. This festival’s theme for this year is HERITAGE: a celebration of cultural diversity!

The program consists of Fashion shows, Exhibitions, Performances, a Designer Market, Fashion Talks, Awards, MAFAD Graduation Show, and more.

Moreover, the festival’s program is connected to the theme HERITAGE, which will tie the festival’s content together by events such as the Heritage exhibition and a Heritage Show.

The festival serves a platform for a new generation designers and artists, and introduces a wide audience with the arts and crafts of a fashion related branch. FCF clearly illustrates the contemporary zeitgeist within the world of upcoming designers in an international setting. Its interdisciplinary collaboration projects, multidisciplinary exhibitions and shows, collaboration projects and the opportunity for the audience to be more engaged within the program is what gives FASHIONCLASH such a unique position within the international ‘fashion’ scene.

Entrance & Tickets
The exposition, designer market and most of the program can be accessed free of charge. Tickets for the fashion shows are available online from May 16th via www.fashionclash.nl, and during the festival tickets are still available at the main location (SAM-decorfabriek). Prices: starting from € 12,50 (pre-sale)/ Students: starting from € 5,- (tickets available at main location). 
-> Tickets: http://fashionclash.nl/tickets/

Overview of the program: http://fashionclash.nl/fashionclash-festival-program-tickets/

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016, the HERITAGE edition

Save the date for FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016, the HERITAGE edition 
June 30 – July 3, various locations in Maastricht

The 8th edition of the international and interdisciplinary fashion festival takes place June 30 – July 3 in Maastricht (The Netherlands).
The 4-day festival program with Fashion Shows, Exhibitions, Performances, Designer Market, Fashion Talks, MAFAD Academy Graduation, Awards and Parties gives more than 150 designers and artists from all over the world the opportunity to show their work to a diverse international audience and industry professionals.

The 8th edition of the festival is curated around the theme of HERITAGE, consisting of a theme related and general programme. The festival is a reflection of what is going on within the international fashion scene in the new generation of designers; imagination of the zeitgeist of contemporary fashion design through the eyes of the new generation of designers and artists. FASHIONCLASH Festival is an unique opportunity to discover new talent and to get inspired by the art of fashion.

FASHIONCLASH Festival is accessible to everyone. Most of the program is accessible for free, to attend the Fashion Shows there is a ticket sale starting beginning of May. Since the first edition in 2009 more than 900 talents from 50 different countries have joined FASHIONCLASH Festival and were given the opportunity to show their talent and work. Some of their careers really took of from there! Take a look at fashionclash.nl for an impression of the event and the activities of FASHIONCLASH throughout the world.

HERITAGE Edition 
FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016 looks to the future along the theme of ‘Heritage’.
‘Like no other fashion knows how to renew itself again and again by creating a new atmosphere each season, using the past as an infinite source of inspiration and by selling and presenting the past as the new future. Designers look back to the past but also dare to speculate about the future. From this perspective designers are shaping the future of the shape of things to come. What is the role of our cultural heritage in a constantly changing world? How are new generation designers dealing with their cultural heritage (ancestry and traditions) in a globalized world where everything seems to be reachable and in which fashion is dominated by Fast Fashion chains and mass-production? Where do you come from, where do you go?’ 

Campaign Launch
In relation to the theme of Heritage a campaign is created with an editorial and fashion film in collaboration with Lonneke van der Palen, Studio Noto, M.A.C. Cosmetics, KEVIN.MURPHY and WEDOVOODOO.TV In this editorial work of emerging designers is included such as Merel Bos, Jivika Biervliet, Noir Near Future and Minou Lejeune.

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016 campaign credits
Photography: Lonneke van der Palen Make-up: M.A.C. Cosmetics
Hair: KEVIN.MURPHY
Graphic design: Studio Noto
Styling & Art direction: FASHIONCLASH
Assistants: Pia Walter, Nienke Creemers, Sem Shayne
Models: Isabella Provaas @ CJ Models, Mara Kasanpawiro and Isa Nilwik @Models Rock Agency, Bert Snaterse, Jessica Irabor, Annoury Belaraj
Designers: Merel Bos, Joelle Boers, Judith van Vliet, Noir Near Future, Renate Cuiper, Jivika Biervliet, Minou Lejeune, Jennifer Droguett, Michał Wójciak, Julia Aumann, Maarten van Mulken, Nawie Kuiper, Branko Popovic and Brenda Prins.

Partners
FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016 is made possible thanks to generous support of partners and sponsors, funds, friends and voluneers. FASHIONCLASH is structurally supported by the Province of Limburg and The Municipality of Maastricht. FASHIONCLASH Festival is part of Fashion Maastricht.

Spot On Fashion Maastricht by FASHIONCLASH

Maarten van Mulken

FASHIONCLASH Spot On! ‘Fashion Maastricht’ pop-up exhibition at VVV Maastricht

In the weekend of 28 and 29 November the Dinghuis, historical building in Maastricht known as the VVV Maastricht, temporarily served as a pop-up museum for designers linked to the city of Maastricht.

Continuing the successful 'Fashion Maastricht' in Chengdu China, FASHIONCLASH is presenting the second exhibition focusing on designers that are linked to Maastricht by origin or education.
The presented work stands out for its textile and material research, innovative tailoring or the conceptual approach. This exhibition gives a glimpse of authentic ideas offered by a new generation of visionaries that are shaping the new history of Maastricht, a city with a long tradition of arts and crafts and known for its sense of style, quality of life and dynamic cul- tural scene. Most of the featured designers are alumni of MAFAD, the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design. Among them you can see pieces of designers that are successfully emerging and work of the latest generation of fashion design graduates.

This is the first time an overview of local designers is on display with an exhibition, offering an perspective to narrate and discuss what actually 'Fashion Maastricht' means.
Ever since the starting point of FASHIONCLASH there has been a huge development. Looking back to the starting years, FASHIONCLASH platform started from zero and now fashion is included in the policy of Maastricht's future vision. Next to the growing government support it pleases me most to conclude with this exhibition that the local designers are on the rise. More designers decide to stay in Maastricht, designers are better entrepreneurs and most of all it is clear that the artistic qualities of local designers have grown.

Participants: Anna Gregor, Bluedenîmes, Danielle Vroemen, Ebby Port, Edmeé Jongen, Gabriel Guevara, Jessie Beurskens, Joelle Boers x Sofya Samareva, Julia Aumann, Julia Schmitz, Marsha Kessels, Maarten van Mulken, Lotte Milder, Linda Friesen, Linda Maissan, Marlou Breuls, Mieke Kockelkorn, Mona Steinhaeusser, Minou Lejeune, Reinder Schmidt, Renate Cuiper, Strikks, Verena Klein and Sem Shayne.

Exhibition is curated by FASHIONCLASH.

All images are by BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG.

Spot On ‘Fashion Maastricht’ Exhibition

FASHIONCLASH  presents Spot On ‘Fashion Maastricht’ Pop-Up 

28 & 29 November 2015
at VVV Maastricht

Continuing the successful 'Fashion Maastricht in Chengdu China, FASHIONCLASH is presenting the second exhibition focusing on designers that are linked to Maastricht by origin or education.
The presented work stands out for its textile and material research, innovative tailoring or the conceptual approach. This exhibition gives a glimpse of authentic ideas offered by a new generation of visionaries that are shaping the new history of Maastricht, a city with a long tradition of arts and crafts and known for its sense of style, quality of life and dynamic cul- tural scene. Most of the featured designers are alumni of MAFAD, the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design. Among them you can see pieces of designers that are successfully emerging and work of the latest generation of fashion design graduates.

Participants: Anna Gregor, Bluedenîmes, Danielle Vroemen, Ebby Port, Edmeé Jongen, Gabriel Guevara, Jessie Beurskens, Joelle Boers x Sofya Samareva, Julia Aumann, Julia Schmitz, Marsha Kessels, Maarten van Mulken, Lotte Milder, Linda Friesen, Linda Maissan, Marlou Breuls, Mieke Kockelkorn, Mona Steinhaeusser, Minou Lejeune, Reinder Schmidt, Renate Cuiper, Strikks, Verena Klein and Sem Shayne.

Exhibition is curated by FASHIONCLASH.

28 November | 10:00 — 17:00
29 November | 11:00 — 17:00
Location: VVV/ Dinghuis Maastricht
Free entrance

FASHIONCLASH Exhibition in Chengdu - China

FASHIONCLASH presents: Fashion Maastricht
An exhibition curated by FASHIONCLASH, during the Dutch Days in Chengdu (23 – 28 September, 2015 Chengdu – China )


Under the umbrella of the Dutch Days Chengdu, the city of Maastricht celebrated the third anniversary of its sister city relationship with Chengdu by organizing a Maastricht Day. During this days the city of Maastricht will showcased its cultural strengths with presentations, workshops and the FASHIONCLASH exhibition.

This multidisciplinary exhibition represents the quality of craftsmanship and a broad spectrum of fashion design aesthetics of talented designers who are linked to Maastricht by origin or education. The presented work stands out for its textile and material research, innovative tailoring or the conceptual approach. This exhibition gives a glimpse of authentic ideas offered by a new generation of visionaries that are shaping the new history of Maastricht, a city with a long tradition of arts and crafts and known for its sense of style, quality of life and dynamic cultural scene. Most of the featured designers are alumni of MAFAD, the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design. Among them you can see pieces of the 2015 fashion design graduates, a group of promising designers who present themselves under the name of ‘About 11’.

In addition to the exhibited fashion designs video’s where on display showing highlights of the 7th edition of FASHIONCLASH Festival – The Gender edition – including the performance ‘ Tabula Rasa ‘, developed by FASHIONCLASH in cooperation with dance company Project Sally Maastricht and designer Mieke Kockelkorn with the aim to provide the awareness of – and transcend conservative gender roles in our society. Tabula Rasa is a message of freedom. The theme of gender is also expressed in the performance ‘ The mutants’ by Lotte Milder, a student at the famous Maastricht Theatre Academy. The surprising clash of fashion and textile design, video and performance offers an impression of the unique interdisciplinary approach of FASHIONCLASH.

Featured designers: Anna Gregor, Ebby Port, Joelle Boers, Julia Aumann, Julia Schmitz, Linda Friesen, Marlou Breuls, Rachel Prijs, Reinder Schmidt, Renate Cuiper, Schueller de Waal, Strikks

Presented Films:
- FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 by WEDOVOODOO.TV
- MAFAD Graduation Show 2015 by WEDOVOODOO.TV
- The Mutants by Lotte Milder Tabula Rasa ‘Spectrum’ Performance (choreography Martin Harriague, costume Mieke Kockelkorn)

This exhibition is made possible by the city of Maastricht and its policy ‘Fashion Maastricht’ and is curated by FASHIONCLASH.
www.fashionmaastricht.nl

Bluedenîmes & Minou Lejeune

Bluedenîmes & Minou Lejeune at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015

The two designers met at MAFAD academy in Maastricht where they both graduated from in 2014. Dusty Thomas was one of the finalists at Lichting 2014, best of Dutch fashion graduates.
Their collaboration proved to be a very fertile offering a very fresh menswear proposal and striking accessories.

Dusty Thomas, born and based in Landgraaf, Netherlands has been designing clothing for three years and to her, fashion is the art of dressing the body. Dressing the human body creates stories. She loves stories about functional clothing. It intrigues her that clothing makes life easier for people in different situations. "We are fragile creatures after all; we need protection and cover."
Our dependency and need for fashion to express ourselves fascinates her. She aspires to make beautiful clothes for the male body through becoming a technical clothing expert. Learning about the male coupe in order to become a pattern-producing and sewing expert. Expressing her thoughts and interests in the wearable clothes she produces is what she needs to keep her mind calm and satisfied.

For FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 she worked together with jewellery/props designer Minou Lejeune who designed the head accessories for her collection inspired by the pure and beautiful Arctic areas on our planet. Even though it's an AW collection its main function is not to warm the body. She wants her collection to emit the cold. She wants to shape the ice and the cold into her clothing. Her catwalk show will feel like an icy wind.

http://www.dustythomas.com
http://minoulejeune.com

MAFAD Graduation 2015

Renate Roxanne Cuiper

MAFAD - Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design

It's the time of the year when dreams and visions of young designers and artists are on display for the world to see. No exception for MAFAD academy in Maastricht with numerous promising 2015 graduates.
Starting from fashion department where 8 designers (From the About 11 collective) are graduating. We have already seen their graduation collection at FASHIONCLASH Festival, and now at the exhibition it is nice to see all the details. Here at the fashion and textile department one can discover very nice presentation of textile designer Maud Hoeilmakers who developed a collection of socks.
At the product and jewelry section all eyes on the striking and dramatic catwalk installation that shows the work of Renate Roxanne Cuiper. Furthermore there is a balanced variety of product and jewelry designer. One of the highlights is the work by Marit van Heumen who researched wearability and Caro Carpenter with poetic and spiritual installation.
Closing the visit at academy I enjoyed the fine arts department, in particular with work of Sara Bachour and Stef van den Dungen.

Congratulations to the MAFAD Class of 2015!

Please enjoy the picture report below.

All images by Brankopopovicblog

MAFAD Graduation Show 2015

Paula Reichert

ABOUT 11 - MAFAD Graduation Show 2015 at FASHIONCLASH Festival 

In 2014 they emerged as ABOUT 11, a group of talented fashion students eager to show their talent to the world.
This year eight designers showed their graduation collection during FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015. Eight promising designers showing great potential, sublime details and professional attitude.
No favorite this time, I liked them all.
Paula Reichert won the Chapeau Magazine Talent Award.

Graduating students: Carina Schulte, Julia Aumann, Mona Steinhaeusser, Natalie Barschewski, Paula Reichert, Rachel Prijs, Reinder Schmidt and Verena Klein

http://about-11.tumblr.com
http://www.mafad.nl

Highlights of the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015

VERWEVEN 2015 by Nina Willems
designer David Laport
image Peter Stigter

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015, the 7th edition of the international and interdisciplinary fashion festival took place last week from June 11th – 14th in Maastricht. The 4-day festival program complete with fashion shows showcased upcoming creative talent, exhibitions, fashion film, awards, theatre and dance performances, lectures, workshops and a dynamic Side Program, which gave promising young talents from across the globe the opportunity to present their work to a diverse international audience and industry professionals.
The 7th edition of the festival presented more than 150 talents from over 30 countries. It was a very sunny weekend with happy visitors and radiant designers and artists, the shows were packed and sold out. The whole of Maastricht was dominated by fashion and the celebration of talent and diversity.

GENDER Edition, celebration of diversity and self-expression
FASHIONCLASH believes that fashion as an art form can stimulate critical debate about current controversial issues which are discussed in society. This year's overarching theme during the FC Festival was GENDER. The theme shaped the overall festival and was interwoven through the program inviting the audience to think about the broader spectrum within the gender codes. The theme was mostly reflected in the Gender exhibition on main location, the Opening Show with VERWEVEN 2015 project by theatre performer Nina Willems, Fashion Talk with Aynouk Tan, Meet the Maker at Bureau Europe and the Tabula Rasa dance performance that literally brought the festival's campaign image of the festival to life. Tabula Rasa is a joint project of FASHIONCLASH, Project Sally Maastricht and Mieke Kockelkorn. The festival's main location scenography and spatial design was designed by Studio Stad inspired by 'Queer Space' and gender.

Clash Project

L A T (Lautaro Amadeo Tambutto) winner FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 Talent Award

AWARDS
The festival ended with a festive award ceremony. Argentinian Lautaro Amadeo Tambutto, designer behind the label LAT won the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 Talent Award worth EUR 5,000 and a spot in the 2016 program. LAT has been chosen by a jury panel consisted of Rosario Morabito (Vogue Talents), Carlo Wijnants (fashion consultant), and Philippe Pourhashemi (ASVOF). Jury panel about the winner: Philippe: 'The collection offers an innovative mix between sportswear elements and folklore traditions'. Carlo: 'The whole package from design together with the styling creates a string creative identity'. Rosario: The complexity of blending several elements tackling design, cultural and commercial elements resulting in a coherent collection”.

L A T, winner FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 Talent Award

The Kaltblut Magazine Award presented by Marcel Schlutt (founder and editor-in-chief KALTBLUTT magazine) and was given to Portuguese designer Patrick de Pádua. The Chapeau Magazine Award presented by Xavier Cortenraedt (editor-in-chief Chapeau Magazine) and Elise Crutzen (fashion journalist) was awarded to MAFAD academy graduate Paula Reichert.

Flora Miranda

Hermione Flynn

FASHION SHOWS
Festival visitors were additionally treated by a line-up of designers that represented a broad range of design aesthetics and featured up-and-coming names. To name a few; Linda Friesen, Barbora Procházková, Yojiro Kake, Klekko, Flora Miranda, Rafael Kouto, Bluedenîmes & Minou Lejeune, HANA FRISONSOVA, Ima Mad, INÊS DUVALE and Slovenian collective SQUAT// YOUNG@SQUAT and many more.

MAFAD graduation show, Julia Aumann

Graduating students of MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design) showed their sublime collections. This year eight promising designers graduated with strong collections.
Among them we find promising talent such as Rachel Prijs, Reinder Schmidt, Verena Klein, Julia Aumann and Mona Steinhaeusser who closed a show with a fascinating performance.
This edition the Dutch Shoe Academy also presented young shoe designers on the runway with innovative shoe design proposals.

The Mutants by Lotte Milder

The catwalk also functioned as a stage for performance artist Lotte Milder and her The Mutants performance Tabula Rasa by Project Sally Maastricht as well as a stage for theatre performer Daan Couzijn who deliverd sublime music performance 'Overdone'.

Cousin - Overdone 

expo - Begum Yildirim

GENDER - EXHIBITION
The fashion shows were complemented by a multidisciplinary exhibition where a selection of creative work curated around the theme of gender was exhibited. The former interior design factory of Mosa was temporarily transformed into an innovative museum, where selected art works relayed the different visions of gender in various ways. Think among others photography, illustration, clothing, video, object and shoe design. In the exhibition the visitors had the chance to browse through installations by designers such as Maison the Faux, Amber Ambrose Aurele & Kesha Felipa, Begüm Yıldırım, Matthijs Holland, Camiel Fortgens and a fashion performance by Juliëtte Heijnen. One of the highlights of the exhibition was the 25 meters long digital painting 'Openinghours' on fabric by designer Flora Miranda.

VERWEVEN 2015, a performance project created by theatre performer Nina Willems, was yet again one of the main attractions of the exhibition. Three people were asked to tell the stories behind the clothes that they wear. How do these clothes reflect their personalities, memories and feelings? And how do they use their clothes to express gender? Every interview resulted in a short film. For every person that was interviewed, one young designer created an entirely new outfit which reflected their personality. Designers David Laport, Loes van Nijnatten en Schueller de Waal were all invited to take part.

VERWEVEN 2015, By Nina Willems

Expo - Amber Ambrose Aurele & Kesha Felipa

Charlotte Van de Velde - Clash Project
photo Peter Stigter

CLASH PROJECT
Visitors were also able to visit the ‘Clash Project’, one of the main highlights of the festival, in the exhibition area. The project placed its focus on the connection between disciplines and visions. In other words it embodied the interdisciplinary spirit FASHIONCLASH tries to propagate. Ten non-fashion designers were invited to share their vision according to their artistic discipline in relation to fashion. Ultimately this lead to a 'clash' of philosophical, cultural and practical methodologies. As a result a new hybrid discipline took form.
Each year Clash project causes a clash and fascination by the audience with surprising proposals and out-of the box creativity. This year again, we enjoyed creations by Charlotte Van de Velde, Roos Gomperts, Alexandra Karpilovski, Jan Pieter Kaptein and Stefan Auberg.


DESIGNER MARKET
The Designer Market completed the Festival programme at the main venue. This was a great opportunity for our visitors to personally meet the designers and buy their unique clothing, jewellery and accessories. Visitors discovered brands and designers such as Anna Vikman, Karin Brettmeister, Sciumé, MPA jewellery collective, Blueberries, Bas Timmer, Mees, Delacier, One Wolf, Sofya Hats, Mies Nobis, Danielle Vroemen, and many more.
FASHIONCLASH Side Program, at various location in Maastricht 11–14 June

Market - Delacier 

Market - Bass Timmer and Hibernate 

Meet the Maker at Bureau Europa

The FASHIONCLASH Side Program, an accompanying schedule, took place at various locations in Maastricht city centre. Next to the many fashionable stores and shops, visitors enjoyed a variety of cafes and restaurants of which some also had room for emerging talent. At the Outspoken Designer Pop-up Store located at ‘De Brandweerkantine’, visitors where able to buy designs and fashion presented by Outspoken Concept Store. And if that wasn’t enough, we treated the fashionista's with the Designers-in-Store program, a route along must-see stores and hotspots such as Coffeelovers, PL-Line, Stijl Wyck, Conflict, Festen, Noir, Le Marais Deux & Koffie and Mayfair.

The 'de Bijenkorf', a luxury department store, hosted the captivating Showpieces exhibition with striking work by among others into into, Simonetta Alejandra, Fien Ploeger, Isabel Helf and Jasna Rokegem who presented a performance. Another stunning exhibition was staged at the book shop Dominicanenkerk, where visitors could savour the mini-collections of 3rd year fashion students. Bonnefantenmuseum exhibited a series of silhouettes, courtesy of the Fashion Museum Hasselt archive, that typified gender codes throughout the 20th century. This exhibition included iconic designs of Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier and Comme des Garçons. Bureau Europa hosted the 'Meet the Maker' exhibition where visitors could meet the artists themselves. Theater performer Luca Szymkowiak performed ‘In the Milky Ways of eternity’ at Marres. Furthermore we entertained our visitors and urged them to engage in the 'fashion & gender' dialogue with the 'Fashion Talk' with Aynouk Tan at Centre Céramique.

Fashion Talk with Aynouk Tan, Willemijn da Campo, Lotte Milder, Dirk Reynders and David Laport

Lumière Cinema hosted 'Fashion Film Night Out' where visitors could watch a curated selection of award-winning short fashion films. At Museum aan het Vrijthof visitors could take a closer look to a collection created specially for the MIJNshop/MIJNcollectie project and installations by studio IKKAI, Lisa Schamlé and Malou Beemer & Eef Lubbers.

All images if not mentioned otherwise are by brankopopovicblog

MAFAD Graduation expo 2014

Dusty Thomas

MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design) Graduation 2014

From July 3 -  7,  MAFAD Academy Maastricht is  (location: Herdenkingsplein 12, Maastricht) is hosting the annual graduation exhibition.

Please find below an impression of the highlights from departmenrs of Fashion and Textile design, Jewelry and Product design and Fine Arts.


http://www.abkmaastricht.nl

All images © BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG

ABOUT 11 at Chapeau Grande Fête 2014

Rachel Prijs

About 11, students of MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design) showed their work at Chapeau Grande Fête at the beautiful Château St. Gerlach.

ABOUT 11 are: Julia Aumann, Reinder Schmidt, Verena Klein, Maarten Van Mulken, Anna Klinkenberg, Paula Reichert, Carina Schulte, Natalie Barschewski, Mona Steinhaeusser, Rachel Prijs

http://about-11.tumblr.com

All images © BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG

About 11 at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2014

Julia Aumann

ABOUT 11, talented 3rd year fashion students MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design), were given the opportunity to show their mini collections in the opening at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2014. It is very grateful to encounter such fresh, dynamic, talented and motivating class. I am already looking forward for their graduation show next year at FASHIONCLASH Festival's 7th edition.

They call them selves ABOUT 11. They are a group of 11 young fashion students, eager to meet the world and show their promising work.
 "The main objective of our group is to make clear that it´s about 11 different people; with 11 different point of views, backgrounds, dreams, styles and opinions. By working together as a group and combining our strengths the results are going to be very interesting."

#8 Julia Aumann
#4 Reinder Schmidt
#11 Verena Klein
#3 Maarten Van Mulken
#5 Anna Klinkenberg
#10 Paula Reichert
#9 Carina Schulte
#7 Natalie Barschewski
#6 Mona Steinhaeusser
#2 Rachel Prijs
 #1 Sara Alves Poeira

http://about-11.tumblr.com

If not mentioned otherwise all images are © BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG

MAFAD Graduation show at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2014

Milou van Esch

After absence of two years FASHIONCLASH Festival had the pleasure to feature 2014 fashion design graduates of MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design). Four talented girls presented their collections on Saturday June 14, Milou van Esch, Dusty Thomas, Lara Beckmann and Gelena Roizen.