COOLHUNT - Shocking fashion.

Rick Owens is a known fashion designer because of his 'shocking' designs. Last week he did something shocking during the Paris Fashion Week A/W 2015. You can say he is revolutionary in fashion because he also uses social issues in his clothing. His fashion is about statements and he has already shown that in the past. In one fashion show he used models that he picked from the streets and he let them march over the runway. Another time he painted the models white to turn them into ghosts. 

Past fashion shows from Rick Owens

WHAT? Last week Rick Owens did something shocking during the Paris Fashion Week A/W 2015. He sent four men on the runway with cut outs in their clothing and you could see their penises. A really awkward image if you ask me but Rick Owens said it was about time to make a simple primal gesture. He loves simple, little gestures that take care of a little extra energy. And that's sure something he did with this fashion show. People were astonished when they saw the cut out clothing with a little peek here en there. Owen uses something so powerful to bring a message to the people. It's something no one dared to do but he can get away with it. Maybe because we see more signs of showing vulnerability. Like last friday creative director of Avelon Erik Frenken, showed a fashion show for women with see through clothing. You could see the nipples from the models and the #freethenipple was released. 

Rick Owens shocking fashion show

Rick Owens shocking fashion show

Avelon fashionshow

WHY? So these designers did something what is always seen as 'not done'. But why is it different now? Maybe it's because the lines between masculinity and femininity are fading even more. And this is a way of showing that masculinity and femininity again. It's the ultimate way to show through the clothing if it is for men or women. Because nowadays you can't see the difference that easy. So even though that gender equality is becoming more and more excepted like the petition from HeforShe, there's still a need of showing that there is a difference in it's purest form. Now that we've seen these shocking things on the runway I think there will be more fashion houses that will follow this example. Can we still speak of trends in fashion because fashion moves so fast and because of that the designers have to come up with new innovative things. I don't know if I could get used to this image but these designers definitely made a statement. 

Sources:
http://www.lindanieuws.nl/lifestyle/piemels-zichtbaar-tijdens-de-modeshow-van-rick-owens/
http://i-d.vice.com/nl/article/rick-owens-over-zijn-penisparade
http://www.trendpit.nl/?p=1436

COOLHUNT - Durable, unisex and culture-bridging: Baltic Designs.

I was thinking about a shift that we see a lot these days in clothing for men and women. The line between clothing for men and women is fading. Women are wearing a lot of clothes that can also be in the closet of men and vice versa. I read two articles about women who say that you don't have to be a tomboy to love men clothing these days. It's obvious we women love to wear more wider clothes (I even wore a sweater from my dad last week). Look at the jeans for men who are getting tighter, and no they are not necessarily gay. Then I came across a e-boutique with durable and culture-bridging fashion and design. Not just fashion but also unisex fashion. 

http://thegcblog.com/2009/09/18/wtf-unisex-clothing/

WHAT? This e-boutique is called Baltic Designs. It's a webshop created by a women who is originally from Lithuania. She has decided to build a bridge between the Baltic States and the Netherlands. Baltic fashion and design is an emerging concept in the European fashion industry. Baltic Designs is the only Dutch company that offers fashion and interior products for men, women, children and unisex. All the products are made exclusively in the Baltic States of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. 
All the products are made from pure, natural fabrics and material. But Baltic Designs also supports social initiatives and sustainability. For example she sells products from the Latvian accessory brand Mammu Latvian who supports young mothers in need by offering them jobs that focus on the creative process of their brand. 
If products are not in stock or you don't like the product the way it is a lot of designers from Baltic Designs offer a feature to customize the products to your needs. You just have to click the green button "May Be Customized. Ask?". 

Linen duvet cover E151,95

Mammu scarf E117,95

WHY? I think this e-boutique is a combination of a few maxi trends that we see a lot right now. You have durability which is actually a mega trend but it's important in every company these days. Then you have the unisex clothing which refers to the trend gender equality. And last but not least the culture-bridging aspect. A lot of cultures are mixed today and with this initiative she brings Baltic Designs to the Netherlands which is something new for us. But I think that we can learn a lot from this women because she supports brands who show interest in other people and nature. It's the first Dutch Company who has done something like this, but I think that in the future we will see more of the Baltic Designs in the Netherlands. That's because I think the acceptance of more cultures is something we're already busy with but will grow more in the future. 

Linen Teddy E30,95

Unisex backpack E94,95

Unisex T-shirt E34,95

Sources:
https://www.balticdesigns.nl/over-bd
http://www.nrc.nl/mode/2014/06/27/mannenmode-voorjaar-2015-milaan-wit-sneakers-en-designerdenim/
https://i-d.vice.com/nl/article/je-hoeft-geen-tomboy-te-zijn-om-van-mannenkleding-te-houden