Stavros's blog

[img_assist|nid=5016|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=426] How is a normal day like in the life of Danish sensation Henrik Vibskov? Right now its Saturday…I’m sitting in a tour bus on the way to Pukkel Pop music festival in Belgium; tomorrow lowlands festival in Holland and then we hit Denmark on Monday morning and I will go to the design studio since I’ve just done the ss08 collection which started with the Paris show so have get ready for a new collection . I’m going on a worldwide tour with Trentemøller this autumn going to the US, Australia, and Europe, so I’m pretty busy. How do you feel about the press calling you the new Danish sensation or being the center of attention at the Copenhagen fashion week? First of all, I wouldn’t call me new any more but yeah fine with me anyway… Copenhagen fashion week is clean and structured so I like the fact that I can "pump up the jam" a little Have you ever felt awkwardly special when you presented your spring line for the second time and still got as many ovations as the first time? hmmmm do sure I understand i think was my 12th-13th collection ……hmmmm????????? [I was referring to his spring 08 line, but unfortunately he didn’t get it] Which are the basic concepts behind the ''fantabulous fantasy bicycle music factory''? How did you come up with the ideas for the show? Are you really ''that'' related to music? The installation is a mix of 2 thoughts , bicycles generating music and a frame structure with the colors light pink and a ultra marine blue, then mixed together. I would say more just watch pictures and sound on my website… Does your current aesthetic reflect your current personal taste or look? Yes…you haven’t seen a picture of me ahhhh...hihi Which individuals, movements or others influenced you during the > process of designing the spring line? Video games? mmmmnn videogames…is more a blowup digitalized artwork with influences from South America, a bit of s Scottish man look, many colors which i like and big raincoats and a lot more… Do you think that at one point your pixilated t-shirts will become a ''huge'' hot selling item? Maybe…that would be could nice ahh Do you think that some other Danish designers envy your success? They better do .,,. we have to move forward How do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you think that you will be designing more lines or a separate Label by that time? I’m fine like it is right now…but maybe some more Henrik Vibskov stores around the world Can you predict how the predominant fashion aesthetic will be in 5 years? Green life Have you already started working on your fall line? If so, which are going to be the main pieces, styles or colors? Not yet…sorry Are you happy with how things are working for you right now? Yes, I’m a little too busy though with the music tour and so. Photo source and rights: Nina Strand.

[img_assist|nid=5014|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=400] How is a normal day of yours like? Depends on...mostly I am going to school. I am studying chemistry at the royal institute of technology in Stockholm. So you are a model and you study chemistry, absolutely impressive. A lot of homework to do after school too :( I know how that feels…believe me haha How does it feel to be a model nowadays? Do you truly enjoy it? Feels kind of nice, can't say that it is a big deal when you only are working in Stockholm. yes i enjoy it, I really love fashion and to be a tiny part of the whole fashion scene/business feels good - especially when you are working with interesting designers that make beautiful clothes. Sometimes it really inspires me and my personal style too. How would you describe your style? Dark is the first thing that strikes my head, and others as well. I like pieces that somehow conceal you. and pieces that change their appearance when you are in motion. I am not big fan of colors, I think clothes should be able to deliver that special feeling without them. So would definitively go for an obscure palette, splendid. Have you ever worked with other designers other than Richard? Yes, I did the look books for Behan Aram and the look book for “So Last Season”, both Swedish designers, and a couple of runway shows during the Stockholm fashion week. Yes, I know about them; and how do you felt the first time you did a look book? hmm, kind of nervous I guess. I really didn't know how to do the posing without looking like an idiot and so on. But the designers and photographers were very helpful and friendly. Do you still feel like a newcomer? I guess… you learn more and more for each photo shoot and you got to have faith in yourself. When it comes to runway shows, no. I feel like I can do them now without getting nervous etc So leaving the "nerves" beside, what would you say you prefer doing? Runway or look books? Actually, it depends on the clothes. If I like the clothes, I would say look books because it will inspire me more by wearing the clothes more and really trying to get comfy in them. But still runway shows are really fun too, so I think its pretty hard to choose. I see; do you usually get some of the garments you modeled? Or is it just silly to believe that models get to have what they modeled? Yes, sometimes, when I really like them, like the latest photo shoot with Obscur. It has Joakim written all over it when it comes the styling. hahaha you were perfect in that shooting. The photographs are splendid I must say. Would you consider working in fashion full-time? Well, thank you…yeah I could definitely see myself working in fashion for full-time. but I doubt I have the talent that it takes. To take a year of school and just work with fashion would be like a dream come true, but there are so many others out there that are talented so it will never happen I think I believe that you have the skills, it will be just a matter of time and signing with a good agency that can get you out of Sweden; don't you agree? Maybe...the future will tell I guess, but I will do my best and work hard. Lets see how long that takes me. Have you ever felt different or been treated special for modeling? No, not really, apart from being invited to some parties every now and then. sure there are some benefits, but being a part-time model in Stockholm doesn't give that much difference in life. but yeah you get in contact with a lot of the people in the business, and for some that is a good experience. Yeah, specially when you are young ha-ha. How do you see yourself in lets say five years? Really hard to tell. I never think that long ahead. I mostly take the days as they come. Who knows what I will be doing? All I hope for is that I am happy with my life. I agree. Live life to the fullest. Is there any local or international designer that you would deeply like to work with? Yes, there is one designer that I absolutely love is Rick Owens. His pieces are just amazing. I would really love to work with him… Takahiro Miyahsita from Number (n)ine) is another designer I adore. And I am also hoping for a long lasting relationship working with Richard who does Obscur So you are as well attracted by the work of Ann D, aren't you? Yes, I really am. This fall/winter collection for women is close to perfection I think. Loved the layering, the long coats and all the fur. Ever wanted to leave it all and start your own line? Because you seem to know about fashion. Well yes, sometimes. But I doubt that I have that special spirit, to do such a thing you really have to be pushy and driven. I don't see myself to be creative enough, and I have way too low self-discipline haha…but maybe in the future. haha well you said it...you can leave it as future plan Yeah, you are never too old to pursuit a dream. Your are right. If you were told that from now on you will only be allowed to receive the clothes from one designer, who would that be? Rick Owens, no doubt in my mind. You are huge fan of the leather jackets, aren't you? Yes, they are amazing. If I only had the money....the way they have been treated and washed just blows me away. I recently read that you were going to get one of Richard's new jackets on Friday…is that right? are you happy? Yeah, that’s right. I am really looking forward to that. The fit of his jacket was great, I am a 100 % sure I will look great in it haha hahaha show off....

[img_assist|nid=5010|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=425] Alexandre Herchcovitch, Brazilian superstar designer and innovative artist, has once again presented his spring-summer line. Although he is known for portraying uncommon aesthetics, often influenced by domestic affairs, his latest collection was a real shock - something you wouldn’t expect from Alexandre. This season, a dark color palette dresses vanguard designs while a interesting mixture of body types presents Herchcovitch new spring looks. Gothic make-up and an even spookier vibe are the main characteristics of an impressive menswear line which doesn’t reassemble any of Alexandre’s women’s collection. Shorts, skin tight pants, and feather necklaces compose a line which seems more of a creation made by a Belgian Galliano. The shoes are another important piece of his new line since they are quite avant-garde in the sense that they aren’t just crazy looking sandals. They either have a very round toe which makes them look more of a half-made shoe, an usual sole or they are a kind of a Raf Simons’ spring eccentric sandal, but obviously darker. I also believe that Alexandre’s latest work evokes the combination between light fabrics and “heavy” looks. Meaning that many of the spring runway outfits seemed too complicated and dense to wear even though they were mostly made out of light and comfortable fabrics. And that leads me to my final conclusion regarding Herchcovitch’s work: everything is about looking “layered” without having too many layers on.

[img_assist|nid=4981|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=422] His name is Richard Söderberg. He is a talented young designer from Sweden whose label is called Obscure. He designs finely crafted pieces using a simple dark color palette and tons of creativity. What have you been up to recently? Well, I've been sowing my new collection and hooking up with my factory. Also I’m moving on Saturday, so I have much to do. Working hard I see. Where are you moving? I’m moving to Stockholm. Splendid, where are you currently based? Are you actually working on the spring 08 line or have you begin doing some of the fall pieces? I’m based in Helsingborg, a little city in southern Sweden. I recently finished SS, so I’m having a break. A very deserved one I presume. Actually, the SS collection wasn't that hard work. It's mostly random pieces I've put together into a collection. AW08 is going to be much more serious. More profound, meaning that it will be expose a complex ideology, or more serious regarding the technical construction? Well, I have tried to work towards something a bit more wearable. I'm putting more effort into every garment and at the same time trying to see the whole. I mostly make dark clothes but I don't strengthen the image of darkness with my styling (at least I'm trying not to). And whenever I make a light collection I try to make it more dark through precise style changes. The technical construction is always in development. I feel I'm in constant development and the more I work with different fabrics the more I get to know them and can use their full potential. So you'll stop doing some of the very avant-garde stuff? No, I’m trying to mix the avant-garde with wearable. Or that is what I will try and search for. The SS collection wasn’t very avant-garde, at all, but when I have more time and more effort to put into the collection, that is my goal. And that's the key for successful line I believe. Are you afraid that someone might criticize you for doing a more approachable collection? Meaning that some may say that you will be becoming more commercial. Indeed. As long as I am pleased with a collection, I never mind. What happened to your first label "Macabre"? Why did you start doing Obscur? Macabre and Obscur are the same thing. I just decided to stop using the name "Macabre" because it's just too "hard". It means death in all kinds of ways; so it feels kind of harsh, doesn't it? Exactly. And how do you deal with the fact that many people compare you with Ann Demeulemeester? I get that. I am very influenced by Ann d, Number 9, Rick Owens and so, but I try to keep an individual spirit. You are doing an amazing job so far Thank you very much Which are the most iconic pieces that you currently offer? The leather jacket , boots and zip-up neck. I like the raw-ness of zippers a lot, when used correctly. Oh the long boots right those are going to be HUGE in a few months time However, that might very well change for my coming collection haha Would you ever consider designing other jeans than the skinny ones? Of course. As I said this collection wasn’t super-serious. Therefore I didn't had the time nor energy to make more pants. The focus was kind of off pants. I don't think I will ever produce the typical blue-jeans, but who knows really. The jeans I like right now is a bit low crotch, baggy loose material . I love working with natural fabrics because they age and get their own personality. I see. What things are going to change next season? Will start doing a full accessories line any time soon? The next season will be more dressed; I try to make more and more accessories and i realize the importance of such…There will be a lot of blazers and trench coats. I'm going to try and add the rawness I’m talking about. Excellent; so no printed t-shirts haha haha maybe for stores but not official. Well, I want to see the fall sketches as soon as you have any. I’m also going to try and create more technical garments, for shows So you will be doing more artsy runway shows or not? Runway shows takes ALOT of work and right now I’m on my own. so not yet Where is your market mainly located at? Do you mean where I sell or where I’m aiming at? Both I'm not selling anywhere at the moment because I recently got my factory working, and I didn't want to sell "home-made" stuff. The aim is Japan, Europe eastern US, mainly small specialized stores. More exactly, do I think it will take time for me to have the ECONOMY to set up a good design team? The answer is yes, much time. For more information and availability, go to http://www.obscur.se or search within Frillr.com for previous entries about Obscur.

[img_assist|nid=4977|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=409] Japan has been offering lately some amazing designers. One of them is Taomaki Okaniwa, creative mind behind growing label “The Viridi-anne”. His designs are currently being sold all over world, but he remains relatively unknown. And that’s something I feel oblige to change. His fall winter line is based on male sophistication as well as on a brilliant craftwork. His work is full of luxe and effortless charm; the finely tailored sweaters, the tall equestrian boots, and the splendid slim pants constitute a stunning collection of wearable high-end items. The boots are not exactly equestrian since they have a rounder toe and a boxier fit, but they expose the same refined macho attitude. The pants really impressed me since they appear to be slim fitting and youthful, but classical at the same time. Nevertheless, such characteristic is not present in all of them, obviously. For instance, there is a pair of black luster jeans which doesn’t present not a bit of a classic thing. Detailing happens to be one of Taomaki’s key ingredients as they add character and style to a collection conceived using only a somehow obscure palette. I believe that the most representative item would be the half cape half jacket coat, which doesn’t look like anything we usually see on mainstream fashion, since it portrays everything the Viridi-anne stands for.