Highlights of FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016

Ieva Mezule

The 8th edition of the international and multidisciplinary FASHIONCLASH Festival took place from June 30th until July 3rd 2016 in Maastricht (The Netherlands)

During this 4-day festival over more than 150 young fashion designers and (performing)artists from 30 different countries were given a platform for their work. This festival is a unique opportunity to get inspired by the art of fashion and to discover new talents. The program consisted of Fashion shows, Exhibitions, Performances, a Designer Market, Fashion Talks, Awards, MAFAD Graduation Show and more. This year’s festival theme was HERITAGE: a celebration of cultural diversity, which included special events such as the Heritage Exhibition, the Heritage Show and the Spot On! Opening event.

'Spot On! Celebration of Diversity’
Unlike the previous editions, the festival opened with the theatrical and festive evening called 'Spot On! Celebration of Diversity’. The evening was directed by theater director Joost Horward and Nina Willems and with the cooperation with students from the Maastricht Theatre Academy. It was an evening where fashion clashed with theater, dance and music, but also an evening with a political statement to honor brotherhood, addressing the current state of mind in Europe. The finale ended with lyrics of John Donne's "No Man is an Island ' along the tune of "Alle Menschen werden Brüder". In this show there where ethnical costumes from the students of the Antwerp Fashion department and the KABK The Hague, costumes from Tiel Janssen and work of designers like Markéta Mrtišková, Uta Bekaia and Linda Friesen.

Markéta Mrtišková

Awards 
Before the party took off at the SAMdecorfabriek, the Saturday program was festively concluded with the Awards Show. Three awards were presented. Chapeau Magazine Award for best MAFAD graduation collection was won by Domino Vughts. Kaltblut Magazine Award went to Hermione Flynn. The main prize, the FASHIONCLASH Festvial Talent Award 2016, was presented by the mayor of Maastricht to Alessandro Trincone from Italy. The jury panel of Amandine Piango(NJAL), Carlo Wijnands and Marlo Saalmink had the difficult task to choose a winner from many participants of the festival.

Alessandro Trincone, winner FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016 talent award

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 Campaign

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 - the Gender Edition and Campaign Launch 

On 1st of March the Open Call for Entries ended. We have received a staggering amount of applications ranging from Europe to South America as well as Asia– the creative standard set by the applications exceeded our expectations. A summary of the chosen designers and a detailed outline of the program for the upcoming edition will be published in the following weeks. Consequently, the FASHIONCLASH Team is proud to present to you the campaign for the upcoming FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015.

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 Theme - GENDER

FASHIONCLASH believes that fashion as an art form can critically discuss current controversial issues which are discussed in society. This year's overarching theme during the FASHIONCLASH Festival is GENDER. This theme shapes the campaign and the overall festival but is mostly visible in the exhibition area, various performances as well as several locations situated in and around Maastricht city centre. The concept of gender refers to sociocultural implications that define our biological sex – simply put the roles that differentiate between masculinity and femininity. The past few months we have seen many fashion designers, such as Vivienne Westwood, Dries van Noten or Givenchy, decide to break the traditional gender stereotypes in fashion. For instance presenting male’s skirts, which are still viewed as solely reserved for women, or the rise of unisex as the new androgynous. Even selfridges has pioneered with a pop-up store offering genderless clothing. This has led us to imagine a world without gender. A world where all restrictive boundaries regarding gender roles and identities don't exist. Is this a possible reality ?

FASHIONCLASH FESTIVAL 2015 would like to invite you to celebrate the diversity of people and stimulate them to express their true self, whether that be provocateurs or conformists. We believe clothing is an extension of personal identity. An autonomous identity an individual has the right and freedom to build themselves. From this perspective fashion has an important empowering function, it can aid us to accept those that are different. Various designers and artists are going to present their vision of gender during the FASHIONCLASH Festival Exhibition, which is situated next to the runway shows.

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015, the 7th edition of the international and interdisciplinary fashion festival takes place on June 11th – 14th in Maastricht. The 4-day festival program complete with fashion shows showcasing upcoming creative talent, exhibitions, fashion film, theatre and dance performances, pop-up stores, lectures, workshops and a dynamic Side Program, giving promising young professionals from across the globe the opportunity to present their work to a diverse international audience and industry professionals.

www.fashionclash.nl

Campaign credits:
photography: Lonneke van der Palen
graphic design: Noto
make-up: Pebbles Gravee at M.A.C Cosmetics
hair: Kelly Derks at KEVIN MURPHY
costume: Mieke Kockelkorn
model: Merel Visschedijk
video: Strictua www.fashionclash.nl

Beating around the bush Episode #4 at Bonnefantenmuseum

Lara Schnitger

Beating around the bush Episode #4 

Beating around the bush is an exhibition programme for 2014, in which the Bonnefantenmuseum will be presenting its collection in an investigative way. In four episodes, both the fixed values and the ‘quiet reserve’ of the collection will be brought into dialogue with new and proposed acquisitions.

The exhibtion features artworks of: Ben d'Armagnac, Monika Baer, Paul Chan, Marlene Dumas, Zackary Drucker en Rhys Ernst, Sidi El Karchi, Hadassah Emmerich, Ferdi, Lara Gasparotto, Gilbert & George, Jörg Immendorff, Lee Kit, Jutta Koether, Nam June Paik, Sol LeWitt, Tala Madani, Maha Maamoun, Mario Merz, Navid Nuur, Rik Meijers, Dennis Muñoz Espadiña, Bruce Nauman, Tanja Ritterbex, Karen Sargsyan, Lara Schnitger, Lily van der Stokker, Shinkichi Tajiri, Ed Templeton, Aline Thomassen, Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Luc Tuymans, Ger van Elk, Franz West

http://www.bonnefanten.nl/nl/tentoonstellingen/programma_2014/beating_around_the_bush_episode_4

Laura Lima

'The Fifth Flour' exhibition by Laura Lima, a Brazilian artist who won the biggest international award for visual art in the Netherlands (Bonnefanten Award for Contemporary Art (BACA) 2014).
Next to Beating around the bush you can see the
the fifth floor is an exhibition which creates an innovative dialogue with museum practice, specially developed by Laura Lima for the Bonnefantenmuseum. The museum is 'brought to life' by the presence of human participants in the artwork. The exhibition includes a wide range of art pieces. The museum is presented as a location for the production of new works and ideas by means of a tailor shop, where two tailors create 'custom suits' for wooden frames. 

http://www.bonnefanten.nl/

De Warme Winkel - Gavrilo Princip

Gavrilo Princip -> Must See! Theatre Tip

Exactly after 100 years after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand De Warme Winkel brings the ultimate anniversary performance. Gavrilo Princip premiered at HOLLAND FESTIVAL.

On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip and five of his friends make an attempt on the life of the Habsburgian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand during his visit to Sarajevo. Pistols jam, hand grenades detonate too late, if at all; the assault fails. Franz Ferdinand decides to alter the route of his visit, everyone is briefed, except his driver. Starved and disappointed, Gavrilo enters a bakery store. The moment he stepped outside, the archduke was driven past. It was too late for Gavrilo to draw his pistol, but to his astonishment the car halts down the road in order to back up again. The very last thing Franz Ferdinand lays his eyes on is a meager, narrow-shouldered man with a flimsy moustache...

Gavrilo Princip is a play about a world that is on the verge of disappearing, about a jackass who overthrows the elite, about the subjectivity of historiography, about the mighty hand of fate and about taking justice into one’s own hands. A delirious, orgasmic, theatrical reconstruction, reminiscent of a battlefield.

http://www.dewarmewinkel.nl

Nederlandse Dansdagen 2014

Cecilia Moisio 

Friday evening, 3rd of October, The Dutch Dance Festival opened its 17th edition and after so many years the festival is still growing. By means of side projects like Act Your Age, Peforming Gender, collaboration with FASHIONCLASH and investment in new generation of dance makers, the festival remains relevant.
The festival kicked off with Dutch Dance Dialogues. I was invited to take seat in the panel of the first part 'dance and fashion' moderated by Aynouk Tan. The second topic was 'dance and gender'.
Next on my programme where "Performing Gender' performances at Bonnefanten Museum, followed by the grande opening evening with performances Smell of Bliss by LeineRoebana, 'Shirokuro'  by Tomoko Mukaiyama Foundation and 'Roses' by De Dansers.
For Cecilia Moisio the evening will be memorable for sure as she was awarded with 'Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht Prijs 2014'.Friday evening continued with a late night spectacular multidisciplinary performance 'Naked Lunch' by Club Guy & Roni.

'Naked Lunch' by Club Guy & Roni

At day two I dived further into the Dutch dance roller coaster starting with (OLD)Fashion(ed) performances by Dario Tortorelli and Dunja Jocic. After the coffee break I made a stop at Mosae Forum pop-up store where Distinguished Dreams project took stage and where fashion and dance clashed. Looking back to many years I attended Dutch Dance Festival I was so proud that FASHIONCLASH and Dutch Dance Festival cooperation resulted in this two special projects, (OLD)Fashion(ed) and Distinguished Dreams.
The festival puts new generation choreographers on stage and from the noon on I watched the intense The Dog Days Are Over by emerging star Jan Martens, followed by Mor Shani's intense 'Love-ism'.
Winner of 'Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht Prijs 2013', Giulio D'Anna presented a premiere of his new piece R-ESISTERE.
After a quick diner break and outfit change I found my self again at the 'Gala of the Dutch Dance Festival' and the after party. Highlight of the evening was the performance 'Wolf' by Scapino Ballet.

This year I had to skip the Sunday programme due to my trip to Slovenia, having said that I look forward to 2015.

http://www.nederlandsedansdagen.nl

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2014 Program

What if we could preserve a certain age, how old would you be? The theme for the 6th edition of FASHIONCLASH festival is 'AGE' and the art of ageing in the broadest sense.The art of fashion can provide a number of means to break down boundaries that are related to the stereotypes concerning age. Ageing is not boring, it is a process that can and should be celebrated. The FASHIONCLASH Festival theme 'AGE' is expressed within the exhibition, various projects and through the campaign images.

FASHIONCLASH Festival is the international and interdisciplinary fashion festival that aims to showcase new generation designers and artists. The spectacular program of the 6th edition with Fashion Shows, Exhibitions, designer Market, Theatre and Dance Performances, Clash Project and FASHIONCLASH Side Program, brings together more than 100 designers and artists from 30 countries.
FASHIONCLASH gives promising talents the opportunity to show their work to a broad international audience. FASHIONCLASH Festival is a unique opportunity to discover talent and to get inspired by the art of fashion.
Have a look at who are the participants: http://fashionclash.nl/participants-2014

Location: SAMdecorfabriek, Meerssenerweg 215, behind Station Maastricht. FASHIONCLASH Side Program 12 – 15 June, at various location in Maastricht

Entrance: Admission for the Exhibition, Market and most of the Side Program is for free. To attend the fashion shows there is a ticket sale. Tickets for Fashion Shows Program are available in pre sale online via www.fashionclash.nl and at the venue during the festival.

More information concerning FASHIONCLASH Festival 2014 program, Side Program, participants and tickets please visit www.fashionclash.nl

What can you expect at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2014

Distinguished Dream:
Cecilia Moisio & Sara Vrugt

Distingiushed Dreams & (OLD)Fashion(ed) 

This year, two special projects are developed in cooperation with the Dutch Dance Festival. Within Distinguished Dreams, ten successful choreographers and fashion designers create mini performances in pairs based on their mutual fascinations. (OLD)Fashion(ed) is a collaboration with the Dutch Dance Festival and Museum aan het Vrijthof. In this project, young fashion designers are creating collections in collaboration with experienced artisans. The collections, worn by models of 65 years and older and presented with dance performances by renowned choreographers, will be on display during FASHIONCLASH Festival, the Dutch Dance Festival (October 2014) and at Museum aan het Vrijthof (fall 2014).

Yoni Lefevre

EXHIBTION

Age and the art of ageing in the broadest sense of the word is the theme for this 6th edition of FASHIONCLASH Festival. The exhibition is composed of age-themed curated work. We are intrigued to navigate within the theme of age and show how multi-layered concept age is. Furthermore, we are keen to display the crucial role of art and design in the process of transcending boundaries related to age. (OLD)Fashion(ed), Verweven and Clash project are installed in the exhibition space. Nina Willems’ project VERWEVEN 2014 will look into the wardrobes of five women of different ages. The short films will be presented at the exhibition space as well the work of VERWEVEN designers such Anbasja Blanken, Aniek Zinken and Wenda Harmsen.

Furthermore, there will be work by several designers I already reported about and some new names. Exhibtion participant are Daniel Ramos Obregon, Yoni Lefevre, Peter Hsieh, Bora Hong, Ine de Haes, Sanne Ree Barthels, Stefanie Barz, Judith Jans & Eva Vermeulen, Daphne Hobbelen, IXX, Strikks, Elsewerk, B-Made, Georgia Xanthe Dorey, Kate Langrish Smith, Olga Ozierankska, Shana Teugels, Branko Popovic (this excites me in particular as I am one of the participants.

STEINROHNER
Picture by Christine Kreiselmaier

FASHION SHOWS 
Line up for this years runway program is too cool. The fashion show program provides a stage for 40 emerging fashion talents to show their collections;
Tom Van der Borght, STEINROHNER, Krijst, Wonderground, Ima Mad, { EUGENIALEJOS }, Avadem, BAIBA LADIGA, M I C L E E, Sasha Nassar, YOJIRO KAKE, ODIO & Jakub Pieczarkowski, Ladron de Guevara, KONY, and so on. I am very happy that there several collaborations such as Joelle Boers & Bregje Cox, Nienke Hoekstra & Ingrid van der Zalm and Judith van Vliet x Chris van den Elzen. The students from MAFAD (Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design) will present their collections as well. Furthermore, the audience is invited to enjoy special dance and theatre performances.

For fashion show program & tickets: http://fashionclash.nl/fashionclash-festival-2014-program-tickets/

{ EUGENIALEJOS } - picture by Cristian Di Stefano

Plùs Que Ma Viè by Andrea Lazzari
picture by Alice Campo

FASHIONCLASH Market 
If you are looking for special fashion items, accessories or jewellery from new designers and labels, we invite you to visit the designer market at SAMdecorfabriek. Entry is free and payment is cash only. At the Market there will something for everyone; designers are selling clothes, jewellry and shoes. If you are looking for cool menswear please check out the stands of HEIMWEH, Plùs Que Ma Viè by Andrea Lazzari and Klekko. For the womenswear there will be plenty to choose from at the stands of Jana Mikešová& Linda Zabilková, DBAK – DESIGNED BY ALEXANDRA KALKOWSKI and H O W L by Maria Glück.
Furthermore, Mies Nobis and Marina Stanimirovic and will present her intriguing jewellry. And if this does not sound attractive there are 30 stands in the market by up and coming fashion, accessories and jewellery brands.

KLEKKO
picture by Jacek Kolasinski

AM.Westen Pop-up Store at De Bijenkorf Maastricht

FASHIONCLASH Side Program 12 – 15 June, at various location in Maastricht 

FASHIONCLASH Side Program is an accompanying program spread across various locations in Maastricht with pop-up stores, exhibitions, lectures, Film Fashion Night Out at Lumière and events in selected boutiques and cultural spots in Maastricht. FASHIONCLASH Side Program is a bouquet of what 'Fashion City Maastricht' has to offer. There are special deals, designers in stores and must see pop-up stores of FEE Academy, Fashion Freax and Strikks. We are delighted to welcome Off Strand initiative from London, they will set up a pop-up stores and exhibition with a emerging designers based in UK.

More information: http://fashionclash.nl/fashionclash-side-program-2014

Affordable Art Fair in Maastricht

First edition of Affordable Art Fair in Maastricht
3-6 April, 2014

After 8th editions in Amsterdam, Affordable Art Fair decided to expend in the country and Maastricht is the next stop.  From 3-6 April 2014, the Affordable Art Fair is taking place at the Timmerfabriek Maastricht. The exhibited works are very diverse, from up and coming arists to affordable Damien Hirst.Affordable Art Fair is a very accessible showcase of contemporary art and is open for everyone to enjoy art of various galleries as well as workshops, a coffee, or even a glass of wine.
Very nice initiative and a fresh new event in Maastricht, which is welcome to stay. Check it out!

http://affordableartfair.com

Here are some impressions of the opening.

Photography by brankopopovicblog, all works are in courtesy of the artists.

ROOFTOPTIGERRR

Theatre TIP: ROOFTOPTIGERRR - Futuristic theater carousel in the church

The performance takes place in the church on the square Fatima in Mariaberg neighborhood of Maastricht. An interactive performance in which the wishes and dreams of residents are processed. You can enjoy this interactive theatre performance from 1 - 10th of November.

Rooftoptigerrr, the theater performance, is part of the large-scale project Rooftoptiger set in four neighborhoods of Maastricht in order to bring local residents together through creativity.
This theater responds to the desire to do something. Spectacular close This interactive performance by the Antwerp based artists collective TimeCircus is presented by
Culture platform SoAP and Trajekt foundation.

Check the trailer!

For more information:
http://soap-it.eu/rooftoptigerrr

Rooftoptigerrr from SoAP on Vimeo.

Bruis Festival Maastricht 2013

Last weekend Bruis festival took over Maastricht with its 7th edition. I still remember when it all started on the market square in Maastricht with the unforgetable performance by Vive la Fête. It is wonderful to see how many people were there enjoying live music and acts like Miles Kane, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Montevideo, SX and many more.
The festival was brought to life in 2007, as an initiative of de Muziekgieterij. http://www.bruismaastricht.nl

FASHIONCLASH for Maastricht ECoC 2018

On Friday, 6 September, the European jury will decide which Dutch city will become the European Capital of Culture in 2018. I have the honor to be a part of Maastricht Via2018 team that is going to give a final presentation in front of the jury.

In that light, the members of the jury visited Maastricht and the Meuse-Rhine Euregio on Sept. 4th.
It was wonderful to see around 3000 people gathered at the Vrijthof in Maastricht to show support.
FASHIONCLASH teamed up with De Bijenkorf Maastricht and gave a small fashion performance on the square. Following to that models gave a performance in window display as a opening of the mini exhibition that you can enjoy this at De Bijenkorf Maastricht.
Now let's pray and hope that we win the title Maastricht for European Cultural Capital in 2018!

Presented designers are from Euregio Meuse-Rhine: Saba Tark, STRIKKS, Noir Near Future, Linda Friesen, Marlou Breuls, Branko Popovic, Nawie Kuiper,
“& the GANG” ( fashion collective with Rebecca Fuchs [fucca] Anne-Kathrin Bannier [house of hypnos] and Milena Lehr [zwaluw-clothes].
Hair and Make-up: Nina Stevens, Bas Aarts, Dominique Cordaro
Production: FASHIONCLASH / De Bijenkorf Maastricht

performance by Designmetropole Aachen

FASHIONCLASH & De Bijenkorf together for Maastricht 2018

Scroll down for more pictures!

Kunsttour Maastricht 2012

http://www.kunsttour.com/

Promising photographers at OpenSpace-Talent

During this Pinksterweekend 2012 there is a lot to do in Maastricht. One of the refreshing presentations is OpenSpace-Talent.
OpenSpace-Talent is an exhibition with work from six upcoming photographers: Anton Kusters, Arjen Schmitz, Lonneke van der Palen, Maarten Kuypers, Noël Loozen and Valentina Vos.

OpenSpace is an initiative from design studio
Ontwerpbureau B2B.
http://www.open-space.nu

Cultuur Frituur snack bar by Het Geluid Maastricht

The new cultural season has been opened last weekend during Parcours Maastricht 2011. For many creative people and theater makers the new season will be a harsh and cold winter thanks to new Dutch cultural policy. Theatre group Het Geluid Maastricht launched a very cool and tasty concept 'Cultuur Frituur'. It's a snackbar for some fastfood snacks and some culture, they make food for you, sing you a song and welcome you with a smile. 'Fastfood is our friendly and positive actionism". Because things should be fun and easy to digest. Because things are supposed to be immediately useful. Because we have to appeal to a broad audience, because then it may exist. To achieve paying consumer target in order to attempt some of the equity required to retrieve.

  http://www.hetgeluid.eu/

Europe's Creative Regions and Cities

Forum on Europe's Creative Regions and Cities 

-young European Talents- 

Yes ,Im in ... I have been selected !!!

here's some information about this forum. * forum website 

20 avril 2009 - 21 avril 2009
Brussels Belgium 

On 20 and 21 April 2009, the Committee of the Regions will host in its premises a Forum on Europe’s Creative Regions and Cities involving creative talents as well as regional and local authorities from all over Europe. 100 young creative talents are invited to bring their contribution to this event.

On 20 and 21 April 2009, the Committee of the Regions will organise together with the European Commission a Forum on "Europe's Creative Regions and Cities". The Forum is held in the context of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009, in order to showcase the creativity of Europe’s regions and cities and to prove that creativity and innovation can be of key importance for a successful turn in economic development.
The idea of the Forum which will be held for up to 300 participants in the Committee of the Regions’ premises in Brussels will be twofold:
First, to create a platform for exchange of best practice among those regions, cities and experts who have experiences in promoting creative industries and innovative approaches in the following fields: 

1. Arts and Culture
2. Science, Research and Innovation
3. Media, Information and Communication Technologies
4. Urban Development and Urban Creativity
5. Social Innovations

Regional and local authorities interested to present their best practice are invited to send an application form before 31 January 2009.

Second, with the support by the European Commission’s Youth in ActionProgramme 100 young creative talents from all over Europe. The members of the Committee of the Regions would propose candidates from their constituencies. They might be artists, architects, designers, film makers, internet experts or others. What would qualify them should their attempt to be at the same time young entrepreneurs and to have contributed to a certain extent to the development of the local economy, for example by setting up their own businesses. Candidates are invited to send the application form by 31 January 2009.

The two-days’ programme of the Forum takes place in Brussels and would include a session presenting the academic debate and practical cases in the field of regional creativity and innovation, a networking session among the young creative talents, both on 20 April. All participants would be welcomed during a social event in the evening. During the morning of 21 April, creative and innovative projects from Belgium would be presented through guided bus tour in Brussels followed by a panel debate among representatives from the Brussels, Flemish and Walloon regions.

* Dutch *

Europa's meest creatieve regio's en steden - Forum 20 en 21 april 2009 (Brussel)

In het kader van het Europees Jaar van Creativiteit en Innovatie 2009, organiseren het Comité van de Regio's en de Europese Commissie een gemeenschappelijk forum op 20 en 21 april 2009. Het forum wil de creativiteit van Europese regio's en steden onder de aandacht brengen en het belang aantonen van creativiteit en innovatie voor economische ontwikkeling.

Het forum heeft twee belangrijke doelen:

1. uitwisselen van best practices op het vlak van kunst en cultuur; wetenschap, onderzoek en innovatie; media, informatie- en communicatietechnologieën; stedelijke ontwikkeling en stedelijke creativiteit; en sociale innovaties. 
2. onder de aandacht brengen van 100 jonge creatieve talenten (bv. kunstenaars, architecten, designers,...)

Meer lezen? www.cor.europa.eu/creativityforum 

http://www.create2009.europa.eu