During the 11th edition FASHIONCLASH Festival 2019, the Class fof 2019 from the
Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts & Design presented their graduation collections in the framework of a collective show 'Body Alumni'.
All six designers impressed with their presentations. The opening performance by Wholina was a beautiful example of poetical narrative and the 2019 state of mind that was felt at many graduation shows in the Netherlands. This state of mind can be best described as 'togetherness'. She presented a sustainable biodegradable collection that is a result of a well-researched process that has it roots in a holistic design manifesto inspired by the ancient Chinese philosophy Wu-Xing.
Jolieke Kessels' presentation was accompanied by a live harp player, suiting her crafted collection. Fascinated by different cultures coming together and her personal background of being involved in urban dance scene, Dana Lipka gave an energetic show with hip hop dancers.
Ashley Luypaers explored the manifestation of selfexpression within menswear. Her collection “Peacocking” reflects how mens fashion has been limited by traditionally and culturally informed ideas of masculinity. The collection features traditional tailoring, combined with inspiration from the MMA and (kick)boxing culture, including bold prints, fabrics and silhouettes, challenging traditional norms, associations, and expectations of male fashion.
Michelle Cornelissen created an alter ego MICHI’M portrayed as a villain and based on her personal characteristics. "The MICHI’M collection is a combination of the esteem of both the classical uniform and the status of a trend. The uniforms are absolute identities that manipulate the wearers character. They are created out of army materials from the DDR era. MI stands for personal identity. CH connects I’M, I’m who I wanna be. This confirms the infinite expression and equality. We increasingly mimic the characteristics of a villain in the desire to become a princess, pursuit for perfection. ‘’SOMNIUM VERUM EVADIT’’"
Max Niereisel' collection Eternal Splendor is caricature of popular culture on social media and luxury. He got inspired by camp aesthetic and aimed to express the change of the luxury market.
"My collection is an expression of the changing luxury market and social media that is a filtered and exaggerated image of a self-created persona. I based my collection on new status symbols that are not suitable for daily life. I am fascinated by the manufacturability of mankind that embraces artifice and exaggeration."
Michelle Cornelissen won the Public Award based on audience votes and Max Niereisel was named winner of the Chapeau Magazine Talent Award 2019.
Body Alumni is a group of individual designers that recently graduated from the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts & Design (MAFAD). Their approach is to examine the in-betweens of the human body, fashion, material and the environment. As their education allowed an in-depth research for fields like history, identity, social & political issues and philosophy, the outcomes are just as offbeat as the young designers themselves. All the individual works of this small group, visually as different as possible, deal with the same themes at the end of the day: They are operating between abyss and luxury, culture and identity, body and mind; Continuously questioning the role of the designer in today’s times.
Body Alumni designers are Ashley Luypaers, Jolieke Kessels, Lipka, Max Niereisel, Michelle Cornellisen, Wholina and Natalia Rumiantseva (who gradiated with a collection of jewellery designs).
Photography Pasarella Photography
All six designers impressed with their presentations. The opening performance by Wholina was a beautiful example of poetical narrative and the 2019 state of mind that was felt at many graduation shows in the Netherlands. This state of mind can be best described as 'togetherness'. She presented a sustainable biodegradable collection that is a result of a well-researched process that has it roots in a holistic design manifesto inspired by the ancient Chinese philosophy Wu-Xing.
Jolieke Kessels' presentation was accompanied by a live harp player, suiting her crafted collection. Fascinated by different cultures coming together and her personal background of being involved in urban dance scene, Dana Lipka gave an energetic show with hip hop dancers.
Ashley Luypaers explored the manifestation of selfexpression within menswear. Her collection “Peacocking” reflects how mens fashion has been limited by traditionally and culturally informed ideas of masculinity. The collection features traditional tailoring, combined with inspiration from the MMA and (kick)boxing culture, including bold prints, fabrics and silhouettes, challenging traditional norms, associations, and expectations of male fashion.
Michelle Cornelissen created an alter ego MICHI’M portrayed as a villain and based on her personal characteristics. "The MICHI’M collection is a combination of the esteem of both the classical uniform and the status of a trend. The uniforms are absolute identities that manipulate the wearers character. They are created out of army materials from the DDR era. MI stands for personal identity. CH connects I’M, I’m who I wanna be. This confirms the infinite expression and equality. We increasingly mimic the characteristics of a villain in the desire to become a princess, pursuit for perfection. ‘’SOMNIUM VERUM EVADIT’’"
Max Niereisel' collection Eternal Splendor is caricature of popular culture on social media and luxury. He got inspired by camp aesthetic and aimed to express the change of the luxury market.
"My collection is an expression of the changing luxury market and social media that is a filtered and exaggerated image of a self-created persona. I based my collection on new status symbols that are not suitable for daily life. I am fascinated by the manufacturability of mankind that embraces artifice and exaggeration."
Michelle Cornelissen won the Public Award based on audience votes and Max Niereisel was named winner of the Chapeau Magazine Talent Award 2019.
Body Alumni is a group of individual designers that recently graduated from the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts & Design (MAFAD). Their approach is to examine the in-betweens of the human body, fashion, material and the environment. As their education allowed an in-depth research for fields like history, identity, social & political issues and philosophy, the outcomes are just as offbeat as the young designers themselves. All the individual works of this small group, visually as different as possible, deal with the same themes at the end of the day: They are operating between abyss and luxury, culture and identity, body and mind; Continuously questioning the role of the designer in today’s times.
Body Alumni designers are Ashley Luypaers, Jolieke Kessels, Lipka, Max Niereisel, Michelle Cornellisen, Wholina and Natalia Rumiantseva (who gradiated with a collection of jewellery designs).
Photography Pasarella Photography
