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Tag archives for Altewai.Saome

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Stockholm A/W 2012: Womenswear Trend Report

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Over a hectic three days earlier this week, the A/W 2012 edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week took place in Stockholm. We scampered from one show to the next and scrounged for food when we had a few spare minutes, but once we settled into the venue and the lights were dimmed, the excitement of what’s to come on the runway made it all worthwhile.

With more and more international eyes turning towards Sweden for the latest in nonchalant style and clothes people will actually wear out of the house, the shows provide a glimpse of the next big (wearable) trends in fashion. Here’s a run-down of the top five in womenswear:

1. Grey

Every conceivable shade of grey was represented in nearly all the women’s collections. Whether this is a reflection of the gloomy times or merely a small side-step from that retail favourite black, the trick for it to read as “A/W 2012” is to wear grey head to toe. Altewai.Saome, Hernández-Cornet and Busnel are the perfect examples.

Altewai.Saome A/W 2012

2. Flatforms

Love ‘em or leave ‘em (I love ‘em), but I believe “flatforms” (flat platform shoes) pretty much personify Swedish fashion – they provide height without the hurt, and thereby stylishness without the vanity. While Whyred went British creepers-crazy, Cheap Monday, Minimarket and V Ave Shoe Repair all showed fantastic versions of their own.

V Ave Shoe Repair A/W 2012

3. Peplums

The dictionary calls it “a short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline of a jacket, blouse, or dress,” but I think of it as a curious flourish about the hips. Either way, I counted several collections with peplums, Carin Wester and Altewai.Saome being the main proponents. I can see its appeal: peplums visually narrow the waist and accentuate a woman’s curves.

Carin Wester A/W 2012

4. Floor-length skirts/dresses

It’s been awhile that we’ve seen skirts and dresses this long. But to keep it interesting (and sexy), most had thigh-high slits – Filippa K, Dagmar and newcomer Maria Nordström, especially. What I really like about this trend is that you can go glam with heels or comfy with flats. Maybe even the aforementioned flatforms?

Dagmar A/W 2012

5. Loose trousers/jeans

Could it be? Are we really moving away from skinny jeans and trousers? Judging by the A/W 2012 shows, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Even Cheap Monday, the fervent purveyor of skin-tight denim switched things up and gave us the baggiest jeans possible, cinched high at the waist. Elsewhere, Rodebjer and Filippa K favoured fluid wide-leg trousers.

Cheap Monday A/W 2012

Other wonderful and weird things from Fashion Week:

  • Spike Lee was at the Dagmar show. Huh?
  • H&M held a show with the finalists of their first ever Design Award. The winner was Stine Riis.
  • Noomi Rapace opened Fashion Week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and attended several shows.
  • Overheard: Really sunburned American guy #1: “DUDE, that’s the ORIGINAL Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Really sunburned American guy #2: “NO WAY!” Really sunburned American guy #1: “WAY.” Really sunburned American guy #2: “NO WAY!” Really sunburned American guy #1: “WAY.” (I walked away at this point. For all I know, it went on this way for a while.)

 

All photos by Kristian Löveborg, courtesy of the ASFB.

Sabrina Shim - Fashion

February 4, 2012

The most glamorous night of the year

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I am back. With “I”, I mean Daniel Björk, who will be writing this blog together with Sabrina for a while. This is my report from last night’s “Ellegala”.

Even though I’ve been on the jury of the Guldknappen award there’s no denying that it is the annual Swedish Elle Awards that is the glamour-puss of the two. First of all, the setting in the luxurious winter garden in Grand Hotel makes for a great backdrop with it’s gilded interior and Versailles-like ambitions. It is also the industry awards in many ways, because Elle hands out awards for Photographer of the Year and Stylist of the Year. Read more » >>

Daniel Björk - Fashion

January 14, 2012

Swedish Fashion: A Year in Review

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A year is a long time in fashion. Designers can show up to four ready-to-wear collections (spring/summer, pre-autumn, autumn/winter, resort), the turnover of trends occurs at an alarming rate, and new names constantly crop up as older ones fade away (or become “establishment”). While I wouldn’t describe Swedish fashion itself as happening at breakneck speed, it’s certainly been caught up in a whirlwind this year that now has several labels, names and styles on the lips (and backs!) of many around the world. Read more » >>

Sabrina Shim - Fashion

December 29, 2011

Ones to Watch: Altewai.Saome

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Altewai.Saome S/S 2012 (Photo by Kristian Löveborg)

For the uninitiated, though it isn’t even officially autumn yet, in the weird and wonderful world of fashion we’re in the midst of S/S 2012 fashion weeks – New York wrapped up last week, London is nearly over, next stop Milan and finally, Paris. Yes, that’s Spring and Summer. Two thousand and twelve. (How I wish I could just skip over winter just like that…) To confuse matters even further, Stockholm held their S/S 2012 shows over a month ago in August. I attended the shows and distinctly remember feeling weirded out then, too.

But I also remember having that giddy feeling, the one you get when you’ve just discovered something new, exciting and critical to your well-being. Or that’s what I’m telling my bank. In my opinion, there were a few standout shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Stockholm and I’ll be sharing them with you over the course of the next month or so.

First up, Altewai.Saome. If you blur your eyes together a little bit, I swear it looks like “Awesome”, which could just be my burgeoning Asperger’s or the honest truth. In any case, the design duo of Natalia Altewai and Randa Saome totally impressed me with their sport-inspired S/S 2012 collection, only their third since founding the label in 2009 in Malmö. Neoprene and perforated textiles were neatly juxtaposed against silk and crepe. Sporty, voluminous tops and jackets were paired with sophisticated pencil skirts.

Altewai.Saome S/S 2012 (Photo by Kristian Löveborg)

Altewai.Saome S/S 2012 (Photo by Kristian Löveborg)

Altewai.Saome S/S 2012 (Photo by Kristian Löveborg)

Altewai.Saome S/S 2012 (Photo by Kristian Löveborg)

The most striking element, however, was the level of craftsmanship involved in each outfit. Both designers have spent time working in Italy for some big fashion houses, which frankly shows with their use of intricate beading, textural play (rectangular sequins and waves of chiffon, for instance), colour choices and overall level of finishing. Arguably, Altewai and Saome’s Swedish roots do come through with the simple cuts and accessibility of the collection – though incredibly beautiful, it’s all still easy to wear.

If the after-show buzz was anything to go by, I wasn’t the only one impressed by the S/S 2012 Altewai.Saome outing. And with a concept store in their hometown (i.e., not Stockholm!) and an online shop already under their belt (the A/W 2011 collection is now available), I think it’s a safe bet we’ll be seeing much more of this mould-breaking label here in Sweden and eventually, further abroad.

(See the runway show in all its glory here.)

Sabrina Shim - Fashion

September 20, 2011