Tag: dutch designer

THE BRAVEST OF MEN

While the women’s wardrobe has a lot of possibilities – skirts, pants, jeans, suits- the fashion choices for men are way more limited. Skirts are a no- go area, as well as dresses or a pink pants combined with a pink shirt. The biggest reason for this non- development is that men generally have a very conservative view of their own and each other’s identity: they have to be tough, strong and brave. The biggest insult you can give a straight man is to call him gay.

It is this theme where Dutch- Surinam designer Samira Algoe is contemplating about with her label Zem. She makes delicate, androgynous menswear in pastels or to put it in her own words: ‘my label explores the boundaries between male and female identity’. In addition Zem- Men, which her label is also called, is often interpreted as a variation on Zemmel- the Arabic name for a faggot. It makes Algoe’s label a daring and poignant one since it reflects the core of our stagnation in men’s emancipation. We expect only the bravest, strongest and toughest of men wearing her beautiful garments.

Photography by; Peter Stigter

NEW AT MODEFABRIEK: ELSIEN GRINGHUIS

written by Coen Wulms

Our immediate surroundings are an important source of inspiration to Elsien Gringhuis. Until recently the Dutch designer focused on urban landscapes with its oppressive conditions  But since her collection f/w 2011/12 the source of inspiration has changed and appears now to be the organized space of the Dutch landscape with its suggestion of quietude and endlessness.  And with the omnipresent wind symbolizing permanent movement en therefore energy.

For spring/summer 2012 this has resulted in a small collection of 14 styles. Striking: Gringhuis limited herself to only two pattern pieces in each garment. As a result the collection comes across as very constructed and minimalistic.

Gringhuis uses only natural materials such as silks, bamboo and a cotton that is coated with bee wax. The main colours are white, black, orange and ochre. Elsien Gringhuis second line, Basic Ones, is included in her main collection.

The designer is a former winner of The Green Fashion Competition.