Copenhagen Fashion Week is getting a higher profile with designers such as Peter Jensen choosing to show his S/S11 collection there earlier this summer. Here we highlight three MA graduates who showcased under Danish universities Universities
Copenhagen Fashion Week is getting a higher profile with designers such as Peter Jensen choosing to show his S/S11 collection there earlier this summer. Here we highlight three MA graduates who showcased under Danish universities
Universities Kolding School of Design and The Danish Design School during the event. The new talents evoke the Scandinavian craftsmanship and distinctiveness in both design and concept.
Anja Merete Larsen
Name: Anja Merete Larsen
Age: 28
Nationality: Danish
University: Kolding School of Design
Inspiration for the graduate collection?
My graduate collection is entitled Prey. The overall theme is hunting and noble life. I was initially fascinated by the rules and traditions in this subject, the respect for the animals and the paradox. You love them, but you kill them. Line them up, ”exhibit” them, light a fire for them, play for them. It’s elegant and beautiful, but the background is violent. I like to play with these opposites. Humans consist of these. Civilised controlled man in tweed, VS the intuitive hunter driven by instincts. This has resulted in a collection of somewhat classic, recognisable clothing with big accessories (the prey) and I worked a lot with the materials, the surfaces and textile techniques. There is solemnity and tradition connected to this subject, and I think I have been looking to find that. Some modesty and respect, also going back to classic shapes. To signify unity instead of individuality. For a while at least.
Plans for the future?
I am currently working in a studio on a new collection to expand my portfolio. I also want to develop a collection of wooden jewelry. It’s been a side project for some time, and I really want to finish and execute it as I see it in my head. I would love to work for one of the big couture houses or someone I really admire. After that I would like to get a good job...Further down the line I see myself doing freelance work; maybe developing trend material alongside working on my own brand. But this would be many years down the line!
What is special about Copenhagen fashion Week?
Hm.... Denmark is rather new as a design nation, but in the last 10 years the industry has grown and there are a lot of engaged and talented people in the field today. I feel a big effort is made to make it better each year. Compared to London Fashion Week, Paris and New York, we have a long way to go. But my impression is that we are slowly being more recognised internationally.
Liza Fredrika Åslund
Name: Liza Fredrika Åslund
Age: 30
Nationality: Swedish
University: The Danish Design School
Inspiration for the graduate collection?
I was inspired by a dream I had during a period of fasting. But also the artists Jeanne-Claude and Christo, how they are changing the perception of the silhouette of for example Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris just by wrapping it in fabric. All of a sudden people looked at the bridge differently, it stood out from its surroundings. And I thought how would it be to capture movement? Maybe in a plastic bag?
Plans for the future?
I'm currently looking for a job and working on a mini-collection for a competition in Germany.
What is special about Copenhagen fashion Week?
I think it´s special because it leaves room for small designers to have shows and to do something different, for example Henrik Vibskov had an amazing venue for his S/S11 show in a park at night. It was really beautiful.
Anne Mette Kjærgaard Jensen
Name: Anne Mette Kjærgaard Jensen
Age: 28
Nationality: Danish
University: Kolding School of Design
Inspiration for the graduate collection?
I tried to emulate the grandness and the sense of open frontiers, which I was taken away by after my stay in Los Angeles earlier this year. I wanted to create a women’s collection that emphasised the grandeur of the city by creating silhouettes that had an airy and powerful feel to them.
Plans for the future?
I currently work freelance for Moonspoon Saloon, preparing a bag collection that will be launched next year. I love their approach to fashion. This fits in with my aim to gain enough experience to pursue a career at one of the established fashion houses – either in Europe or in the US.
What is special about Copenhagen fashion Week?
Its ability to blend in new talent with the more established names.
CREDITS:
Photographer: Billy Ballard
Text and Styling: Nobuko Tannawa
Hair: Mari Ohashi using Bumble & Bumble
Make-up: Zoe Taylor using Estee Lauder
Model: Hannah Kern, Romana Umrianova, Sabina Smutna at Elite
Photographic assistant: Ivan Ruberto, Merk Hutchison
Stylist assistant: Aiko Koike
Hair assistant: Wilson Fok at Shogo
Make-up assistant: Libby Bragins
Special Thanks to: Mark Loy Director of Spring Studios, Spring Lighting and Nick at Numerique
Billy Ballard grew up in the Midlands thinking he was going to be a scientist. He is currently living in East London, working as a freelance photographic assistant
