Tess Van Zalinge

After working backstage for the 2016 Amsterdam Fashion Week show I thought I would dive into the brand of the AMFI graduate. 

As a graduate from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Tess van Zalinge will have strong knowledge of creating a tight and compelling concept. It is this that has ensured her success since finishing at AMFI in 2012 and has gained her a place showing her A/W ’16 collection at the Amsterdam Fashion Week. Tess is currently a designer for both a ready-to-wear lingerie line and her very own Tess van Zalinge line. Lola + Lou is a lingerie line for the everyday use created for the bold, daring girls. Her own brand is used to really express herself through feelings and creativity and as we see in her new collection she really uses this freedom to her own advantage. I got to see close up the merge of lingerie and fashion Tess has created by getting the honour to work backstage with her at the MBAFW. 

Tess shows the pride she has in the Netherlands and the people who created their own unique landscape. For this reason the name of the concept for this collection is ‘Geschapen Land | Landschap’ – translated as ‘Created Land | Landscape.’ Inspired by the typical Dutch landscape and the book ‘Moet Kunnen’ by Herman Pleij, Tess created a clean, aesthetic lingerie line with designs that could be too pretty to hide away. She has used the natural tones featuring the blue sky and the green meadows over the Dutch horizon resulting in the alluring prints over each of the pieces. She has experimented with the bar between underwear and outwear, from floor-sweeping skirts to delicate lace bras. The intricate outfits have been created using an exquisite selection of materials, from satin socks to a beaded shoulder piece. Not only is the fresh style clear in the collection but the young, angelic models suited the overall tone, with freckled faces and fluffy hair in a typical Dutch youth look. The result…a beautiful spectacle of Dutch pride and the feeling of updating your lingerie wardrobe. 

The Light of Kintera's Life

Have a peek into the eccentric mind of Kristof Kintera.

The Kunsthal contemporary art museum, located in Rotterdam, houses some of the most interesting contemporary exhibitions of quirky and out there art and design. Kristof Kintera is now part of the collections in his new exhibition, ‘Your Light is My Life.’ Through explosive, daring sculptures we get a look into Kintera’s mind, his political and societal views translated into strange and out-of-this-world pieces. However despite his pieces sometimes looking like they are from a different planet the ideas behind them are truly the opposite as he provides us with hidden meanings completely related to the distressed world we live in today. His pieces provoke us to think about how we live in imaginative sculptures all within the concept of his personal life and ideas about the world.


Kintera believes that art must be something that people put effort into finding for themselves which has essentially influenced him to turn the whole museum and the grounds around them into, what could be described as, art hide-and-seek. Pieces are dotted around the park and exterior of the museum as well as pieces at hidden emergency exits making you work to find the creations. From the main room we are transported to a maze-like corridor created by confusing neon yellow walls that change our perspective and have the aim of disrupting our visit into the main hall. This isn’t the only area in which our visit is disrupted as his, sometimes absurd,  sculptures become a confusing puzzle piece for us to solve ourselves.

The main hall is filled with a vast array of strange objects that could be described as a collision of incompatibility yet the ideas behind them do the job in making us think. At first many of these sculptures send a smile to our face as we bask in the irony of his creations but looking closer some become increasingly disturbing and even highly irritating. One example of this is the raven perched on top of the wall overlooking the whole exhibition. At first it is hard to notice his repetitive remarks of visionary phrases such as ‘Just Do It’ and ‘Let’s Make Things Better.’ However as he continues to repeat these for the duration of your stay the catchphrases begin to lose a meaning and you find it difficult to block the creature out. The philosophical insights become an addition to the disruptive noises Kintera has created throughout many of the artworks.

On the more thought provoking side of the pieces displayed is what can be first assumed as a large selection of old lamps and cables hanging in a chaotic manner. Bulbs and spotlights are lit up in vast quantities and although you do not hold the meaning to them yet it is still an impressive collection of electricity. However, what you should be waiting for is the timed dimming of the lights ascending the room into darkness. It is then that you witness the large human figure standing with a halo over their head. The sculpture immediately becomes one of his most monumental and powerful structures, another designed to make you think this time about the subject of unbridled energy consumption. Whilst we admire the amazing creation we are still left thinking of how we are living our life through Kintera’s typical ironic nature and the continuous use of dark humour.

An Anecdote A Day...

Placed on the charming 9 Straatjes of Amsterdam I came across this little gem of uplifting quotes and encouraging memories and wanted to dive deeper into its dreamy little world. 

Concepts are used all around us and just when you think everything has been done you come across a small corner of our world that proves you wrong. That small corner is Anecdote. Situated on one of the infamous 9 Streets in Amsterdam the store was developed in 2009 by some AMFI graduates who came together to share a stunning idea – clothing designed with memories in mind. This Dutch ready-to-wear brand features collections based on the personal stories of the designer and results in clothing that encourages you to share these every day memories with her. These can be going to work to, simply, walking your dog. When asked, one of the store managers said that their aim was “not to produce high fashion but, instead, to create clothing for everyday occasions.” The clothing and store subtly shows inspiration from nature, travel and new cultures, as well as keeping their heritage and friends close to their hearts. As you walk through the store you stumble across these little ‘anecdotes’ offering that personal touch you often don’t see in the world today. 

In a world where we are able to share at the click of our fingers the idea of something being ‘personal’ is lost. Social media has become over-sharing, almost trying to show-off a life we don’t realistically have. In the real world people have become closed off with the thought that they are not able to adhere to the high quality life others seem to have. Our lives now move so quickly we are rarely able to recognise personal aspects of it anymore and the small parts of it that really matter. The Anecdote store gives us a refresh button amongst a hectic lifestyle where you can take the time to slow down and realise what moments are the most important. 

Anecdote is a gentle contrast to the acceleration we experience. By giving us an insight into the designer’s lifestyle we can learn from this brand that we shouldn’t take for granted even the most minimal snippets of our existence. Showing that she takes time to look at what she is thankful for she is able to produce good quality clothing that actually has a complex meaning to it and will therefore still hold a meaning to whoever wears it. 

Show Helmut Your Newton

Museum fur Photografie in Berlin celebrates the photographer that held no boundaries, showing how he applauded the female figure and changed the perspective of fashion around the world.

Considered as one of the most renowned fashion photographers of the 20th Century, Helmut Newton changed the way in which photography portrayed the latest style. Creating moods and stories next to the photos, he invented a new world women could aspire to, evident in the exhibition displayed in this neo-classical building today. Newton was known for pushing boundaries for professional and personal work, in images that would have once been considered too explicit for the eye. However, here they are in over-sized black and white canvases with full, powerful visuals that show exactly what he stood for. The exhibition is a build-up of early work to later work showing the progression he made through the industry. The museum holds a calm atmosphere similar to that of Newton’s photo shoots and enables you to saunter through each room, from large famous images to the movies he was involved in. 

Many of the images Newton created were of women with no clothes on. It was these images that brought the most meaning and fame to Newton however it was also these images that brought the most critics and controversy. Some claim that these ‘naked’ images are the reduction of female sexuality. It is interesting here to discuss the difference between naked and nude and how this can effect what we see in Newton’s photos. When people hear the word naked they think of vulnerability and exposure. Newton’s images do not display women who look vulnerable, in fact they show the opposite. The woman are displayed as powerful versions of themselves, showing authority over fear. We can then consider them to be closer to the vision of nudity, in which we imagine a classier, more put together image. Others do not see Helmut’s imagery this way. 


His photography was the centre of fashion controversy – what should and should not be shown of a woman. Feminists of the time declared his work to be a reduction of the female sexuality to the silent exhibition of the naked body. They felt it was wrong to show-off this intimacy to the rest of the world. Many assumed Newton was creating objects out of the women he used. However Newton was simply diving into the world of the ‘unaccepted.’ In fact Newton repeatedly said that he actually loved and admired women and wanted to portray the female strengths to their fullest. Once you look at the bigger picture in other creative fields we see more intense examples of females being used as an object. Through social media in the current day women voluntarily look for likes and attention from men with no meaning or reason. Helmut Newton creates images with an idea and story behind them making them more of an art piece. 

The women themselves were the centre of the stories he created and only used them to magnify what he loved most in them – their power. Despite him not showing their emotional interior we still see a fiery image with a meaningful backdrop. The women used are sensual but very real despite their top of the game model look. Newton doesn’t show them with an unattainable perfection, not hiding their natural appearance or flaws from our vision. The vision is actually more personal and empowering, especially when you stand in front of a wall sized image of confident ladies strutting with sexual independence. 

It is when you are surrounded by this confidence and power that you realise we miss something today. We miss this creation of an aspirational idea of the self. Woman can look at these images and can picture themselves looking this way, an achievable kind of beauty. Today we are confronted with images of perfect, edited women and wonder why girls are constantly questioning their appearance and worth. We can learn from Helmut Newton how to show a woman as a powerful being giving us an image to look up to, not for what they look like but how they are confident in their own bodies. Who will be the next to step up to Helmut’s socially challenging style? 

Anecdote - Amsterdam

Anecdote is located on one of the 9 Streets in Amsterdam and was set up by an AMFI graduate in design and is ran by other AMFI graduates from the same year. The concept behind Anecdote is truly inspiring which meant that I used it for my recent Trend Book project for a trend called "Authentic Happiness." The reason I was so interested in this concept is because this trend I looked into was based on people wanting to escape the stress of their lives and live life in a simple, elementary way, and this exactly what Anecdote offers. 

The clothes in this store are designed based on one thing in mind... memories. Basically, the clothing is made to have it's own meaning, it's own memory. Something to be worn as casual wear and still show style. The idea of the designer was simply not to create high fashion but to make clothing she and other could wear for everyday occasions such as shopping or walking the dog. You can see this concept come alive as you walk round the store and stumble upon the little "anecdotes" of memories from the designer. They just give the whole shop and clothing line that little personal touch that make you want to share memories with everyone.

The shop in general is so welcoming. The pale colours and the pastel dressing room area is very homely with beautiful books and magazines ready for you to flick through that add to the feeling and atmosphere of the store. Also, every time I have visited the shop each assistant has been extremely helpful and friendly, telling me about the history, the ideas and the products themselves. 

It's really worth going in for a little shop around, you'll never know what treasures you will find. 

Where: Wolvenstraat 15, 1016 EM

Website: anecdote.nl

E-Mail: anecdote@anecdote.nl

Facebook: Anecdote

Pinterest: pinterest.com/anecdotefashion

Instagram: @anecdotefashion

Rachel x

(Currently in Berlin so this is a scheduled post) 

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SPRMRKT - Amsterdam

"I prefer to refer to the store as a content store rather than a concept store. We focus a lot more on the quality of products and what products we sell." This statement comes from a quick chat I had with the owner of this magnificent shop and it's clear to see the truth in her statement. The clothing range here is one-of-a-kind, with hip and quirky designs catering to any age. The 450sq store itself is located on Rozengracht in a converted supermarket (appropriate name) with a fascinating interior that gives you the feeling of stepping into an indoor forest, almost. 

 There is a fantastic array of women's and men's wear designers, music, furniture, jewelry, books... I could go on as it fills up every space in a stylish layout, a million times better than your usual supermarket.

A particular designer that stood out for me was the up and coming designer Yang Li, who's SS 15 collection had the essence of anarchist romance and rebellion in the form of urban staples and raw fabrics. The moody grunge looks give the world something modern and fresh in a way I have never seen before. 

So go and get lost in SPRMRKTs urban jungle and dive into the creativity of the new design generations minds. Maybe you'll be able to catch some of their exclusive parties they host or pick up a super cool item. 

Where: Rozengracht 191-193, 1016 LZ

Website: sprmrkt.nl

Facebook: SPRMRKT-Amsterdam

Instagram: @sprmrktamsterdam

E-Mail: info@sprmrkt.nl

Rachel x

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Old Posts and Praises

So many of my old followers may know that I have had this blog for a LONG time! I've experimented with it and changed it at least 4 times over, starting again and again. Each time with completely new aims and ideas... but it was the reason I got accepted into AMFI and also the reason I was featured in the online DISFunkshion Magazine all those years back.

Check out the article here

I used to do styling shoots using my sister as the model with surprisingly great outcomes. Unfortunately I have lost most of the images from these shoots but the image above is a one taken by myself that was featured on the online magazine. I also took images of myself wearing clothes from (at the time) less well-known brands that e-mailed me about my posts and often asked me to join their blogging groups and competitions. Below are some of my old outfit posts, some of which are still available on the blog today!

Lazy oaf dress

If it wasn't for this blog I don't think I would be living in Amsterdam right now studying in one of the top fashion schools in the world. I'm glad I was inspired to start the blog again and this time it's here to stay!

Love,

Rachel

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Groos - Rotterdam

Music, fashion, interior, food - Groos sells everything. Focusing on fresh talents who originate from Rotterdam it still houses a vast variety of different products in it's stylish shop with a warehouse atmosphere. For new Rotterdam designers Groos offers a great opportunity to get their products on the shelf and out to a wide audience next to other designers with the same roots. It's a really interesting concept and a one that has worked for over 2 years now. The collection of creatives has expanded so that even just on the website alone you can find over 150 makers, each with completely different visions and products. 

There is a real sense of pride within Groos unlike many other shops. With such a strong pride of the Rotterdam heritage it draws you into the products to have a personal connection. You really feel like you are supporting a cause, an actual person behind the designs which is a feeling you don't usually get when shopping nowadays. 

All the designs are entirely unique, many sustainable and naturally produced or handmade. It's a completely refreshing display of quirky, new ideas with ideal price tags. 

Go check out the store with the details below...

Where: Schiekade 203, 3013 BR

Website: groosrotterdam.nl

E-Mail: info@groos.nl

Facebook: Groos

Twitter: @GROOSRotterdam

Instagram: @groosrotterdam

Hope you enjoyed the post!

Rachel x

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Streetstyle - Rotterdam Sundown

Details: 

Coat - Monki

Top - MissGuided

Shoes - River Island

Necklace - Claire's

Skirt - All Saint's

Thanks,

Rachel x

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