amsterdam fashion week: sara veenstra
(images via team peter stigter)
okay, so i'm giving you permission with me to get rather vexed that young designer and lichting 2012 participant sara veenstra of the academy of fine art at zuyd university in maastricht didn't get much individual love for her marvelous s/s 2013 collection, which was presented at amsterdam fashion week. true, as with some of the others, she got called out as part of a group (in articles i've linked elsewhere; i don't feel like giving them the hits again just now), but where was her separate acclaim?
i mean, geez. with the bright colours, the vintage air, and the cheerfully quirky details, ms. veenstra's collection--if not necessarily the critical best among the lichting exhibitors--roused one to all but jump into her clothes from wherever they might have sat. as for background, at least the lichting site was kind enough to do the honours, explaining that the range "is based on an American Carnivàle, a surrealistic traveling carnival during the dust bowl early ’30s; time of The Great Depression. Coping with extreme poverty, the carnival had to keep running and the available material was handled creatively."
i'm supposing the designer was probably also inspired by the late american television series carnivàle, though her continued description makes no individualised mention of it: "To survive in this time you had to stand out and be strong, which especially for women was not easy. The contrasts between rich and poor were large and to be perceived as strong, independent women a sexy dress arose with rags and conquers using women’s bodies. Carnivale represents the mysterious world between magic and reality, good and evil, heaven and hell. The 'freaks' of society came together and showed themselves in a completely unique way: edgy, a little strange and extravagant, but with style and pride."
"This is reflected in my collection by use of natural materials combined with extensive bright colors, feathers and exuberant elements of lingerie. The fabrics are hand-carved and colored, displaying proud women, showing the raw edge of their roots. They dressed daring and exposed opposed to being closed and modest. Their survival instinct, throws all shames overboard, giving them total freedom of body and expression." i was glad to see her work, and hope to see her survive to present another round in amsterdam in the seasons to come (check out additional collection images at fashionising).