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Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: MMC Studio Design

MMC Studio Design S/S 2012 by SarahJayneDraws aka Sarah Jayne Morris.

MMC Studio Design closed Friday night at Fashion Week Poland with a dramatic catwalk show. Things kicked off with a stage hand struggling gleefully down the stage as she held aloft a large amount of helium balloons. As the lights went up she released them towards the ceiling as fake snow began to fall. Except this being a spring/summer show I guess it was supposed to be more like confetti.

MMC Studio Design Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory

MMC Studio Design S/S 2012. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Out stepped the models in a selection of relaxed white separates paired with heavy white eyelids that blinked again the snowy onslaught. Legs were daubed with lines in place of old fashioned stockings and their feet were clad in white Dr. Martens. For variety there were a few grey garments and the odd bit of swishy transparent chiffon. As the lighting was lowered to ever more dramatic levels the snow – sorry, confetti – continued to fall. The final pieces really maxed up the sportsluxe look with deep crusts of sequins arranged in snowy camouflage patterns. A collection fit for an ice queen, sorry, summer princess. You can read my review of MMC Studio Design‘s A/W 2011 collection here.

MMC Studio Design Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory

Watch the finale here.

At the end everyone had fun playing with the thick piles of white tissue paper that had descended onto the catwalk.

MMC Studio Design Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory

Systeme D and Jemima Daisy play in the *snow*

Written by Amelia Gregory on Monday November 7th, 2011 10:35 pm

Categories ,Confetti, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,Grey, ,Jemima Daisy, ,Lodz, ,MMC Studio Design, ,Sarah Jayne Morris, ,SarahJayneDraws, ,Sequins, ,Snow, ,sportsluxe, ,Systeme D

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Monika Ptaszek

Monika-Ptaszek-Polish-Fashion-Week-by-Antonia-Parker
Monika Ptaszek S/S 2012 by Antonia Parker.

One of my very favourite collections at Fashion Week Poland this time around came courtesy of Monika Ptaszek, who showed a menswear collection that mashed together a variety of eclectic styles to great effect. Think teddyboy meets punk meets rave meets grunge: the final effect was the epitome of Polish style when it’s done right.

Monika Ptaszek Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Monika Ptaszek S/S 2012. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Models came with serious attitude, sporting impressive quiffs and pouting with great intent at the end of the catwalk. Androgynous elements such as lace swing tops, swirly sheer leggings and bespoke brocade shoes sat together easily with manly studded details on sleeves and cropped tartan jackets. Colourful floral prints and patchwork hoods were accessorised with chunky woven scarves. I spoke with Monika Ptaszek afterwards at her stand, and was intrigued to discover that her last collection was entirely black. For S/S 2012 she cites the metropolitan man who roams Paris as her ideal customer, and I can well imagine him wearing Ptaszek for Men. Loved it.

Monika Ptaszek Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

And not forgetting the fabulous brocade shoes:

Monika Ptaszek Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Written by Amelia Gregory on Tuesday November 8th, 2011 7:38 pm

Categories ,80s, ,Antonia Parker, ,Brocade, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,gay, ,grunge, ,Lodz, ,menswear, ,Metropolitan, ,Monika Ptaszek, ,paris, ,Patchwork, ,Ptaszek for Men, ,punk, ,rave, ,Teddyboy

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Showroom

Kollana Shoes by Celine Elliott.

Time for a quick round up of the best brands that I found in the Showroom at Fashion Week Poland. Held in the industrial sized factory space between the catwalks, this was a chance to catch up with some interesting niche talent from Poland and beyond.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Galadea

First up something a wee bit traditional: Galadea use embroidered folk designs from around Poland as the backbone to a range that includes arm cuffs and colourful belts.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Agata Mocarska
This stand displayed bizarre dolls inspired by famous fashion creatures – in this case Anna Wintour – by designer Agata Mocarska.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Malgorzata Bieniek-Straczek

I was delighted to find the work of an intriguing fashion illustrator on display. Malgorzata Bieniek-Straczek goes under the name of Maggie Piu, and that’s about all I can tell you as the press release was in Polish. Highly decorative stuff.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Fiszerowa
Pretty beaded necklaces by Fiszerowa.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Kollana

Shoes were a real winner – I especially liked these upcycled heels with appliqued animal motifs by Kollana.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Lola Ramona
And there were more cute shoes covered in polka dots and bows at Danish brand Lola Ramona. You can buy Lola Ramona shoes in the UK on Zalando.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Bartek Witek

Bartek Witek had a fetching range of mens’ shirting.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Manitic
Perspex necklaces caught my eye at Manitic.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-owl bags

Loved these hand crafted fabric owl bags. Sadly I’ve lost the business card so can’t tell you who made them, though I do know she makes each one by hand, and they were displayed on a fab gold papermache cow. Update! I know who made them now! They are by Monika Wyłoga.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Ekoista

Over in the section dedicated to recycled and environmentally aware fashion I once again met Ekoista, otherwise known as Ania Rutkowska. She creates astonishing jewellery by bending the plastic waste from used drinks bottles.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Dr. Martens
Lastly, Dr. Martens lent their shoes to many of the catwalk shows. Liking the flowery ones!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Friday November 18th, 2011 11:39 am

Categories ,Agata Mocarska, ,Ania Rutkowska, ,Anna Wintour, ,Appliqué, ,Bartek Witek, ,Belts, ,Bottles, ,Celine Elliott, ,Danish, ,Dr. Martens, ,Ekoista, ,Fashion Week Poland, ,Fiszerowa, ,Galadea, ,illustration, ,jewellery, ,Kollana, ,Lodz, ,Lola Ramona, ,Maggie Piu, ,Malgorzata Bieniek-Straczek, ,Manitic, ,menswear, ,Monika Wyłoga, ,owls, ,recycled, ,S/S 2012, ,Shirting, ,shoes, ,Showroom, ,Upcycled, ,Zalando

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Showroom

Kollana Shoes by Celine Elliott.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Agata Mocarska
This stand displayed bizarre dolls inspired by famous fashion creatures – in this case Anna Wintour – by designer Agata Mocarska.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Fiszerowa
Pretty beaded necklaces by Fiszerowa.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Kollana

Shoes were a real winner – I especially liked these upcycled heels with appliqued animal motifs by Kollana.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Bartek Witek

Bartek Witek had a fetching range of mens’ shirting.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Manitic
Perspex necklaces caught my eye at Manitic.

Fashion Week Poland stands SS 2012-Dr. Martens
Lastly, Dr. Martens lent their shoes to many of the catwalk shows. Liking the flowery ones!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Friday November 18th, 2011 11:39 am

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Shumik 100% and Aga Pou

Aga Pou S/S 2012 by Marta Spendowska.

Time for reports from the last two shows of my trip to Poland… Shumik 100% and Aga Pou.

Shumik Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory

Shumik 100% S/S 2012. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

I was utterly bemused by the Shumik 100% show – at the back of the catwalk a neon pink backdrop declared ‘Headwear Design‘ so I spent the whole show convinced that the bizarre hats – over the top feathered creations and ugly turbans in every conceivable type of wrap – were all that we were being shown. I thus paid very little attention to the clothes, an insipid and flimsy collection made up of sweetie coloured chiffon and shiny stretch fabrics. I was afterwards informed that the Shumik designers Karina Gozdz and Anna Leszkiewicz have been working professionally for several years and that IN LOVE was their first collection created together. Not impressed.

Aga Pou Fashion Week Poland people SS 2012-photography by Amelia Gregory

Much better was the last catwalk show of my visit to Fashion Week Poland, an angular affair from Aga Pou. For S/S 2012 she was inspired by cubism, using transparent fabrics to give the impression of blocks penetrating each other. Unfortunately I was late getting to the show and was only allowed to stand at the side which afforded me a dire view and severely limited my ability to take decent photos, thereby putting me in a foul mood since the collection seemed really quite impressive… all in all the Aga Pou collection was a pretty good way to sign out of the Polish S/S 2012 season.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Monday November 14th, 2011 12:03 am

Categories ,Aga Pou, ,Anna Leszkiewicz, ,Chiffon, ,Cubism, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,geometric, ,hats, ,Headwear, ,IN LOVE, ,Karina Gozdz, ,Lodz, ,Marta Spendowska, ,review, ,S/S 2012, ,Transparent

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Street Style

Fashion Week Poland people SS 2012-Street Style
It was harder to shoot Street Style at this Fashion Week Poland than at last, due in part to the cold weather which kept us huddling indoors but also because of the ever increasing bump that I now have to drag around with me everywhere. Both connived to prevent me from hunting down as many extravagant dressers. But here’s an idea of what Street Style Polish Style (and a bit of front row international fashion) looks like in late 2011.

Fashion Week Poland people SS 2012-Street Style

Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 Street Style. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Monday November 21st, 2011 11:54 am

Categories ,80s, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,Jemima Daisy, ,Lodz, ,Malgosia Kralkowska, ,Marcellous, ,Phaedra, ,S/S 2012, ,Street Style, ,Systeme D

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Teresa Kopias

Teresa Kopias S/S 2012 by Geiko Louve.

I arrived late for the Teresa Kopias show, which afforded me a great view of the models posing in front of a wind machine at the head of the catwalk, but sadly not of the buff men posed on stilts at the other end.

Teresa Kopias Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography Amelia Gregory

Teresa Kopias S/S 2012. All photography Amelia Gregory.

I have been told that Teresa Kopias is not what is considered a ‘proper’ designer in Poland, rather she is someone who has been around for ever, who started her career many years ago selling dresses on a market stall and now makes high end formal wear. Well, she may not be massively fashion forward, but I thought her beautifully made dresses were pretty fabulous for a special occasion, and I could easily see a few of them gracing the red carpet.

Teresa Kopias Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography Amelia Gregory

The show was split into two halves, with the first section given over to formal day wear: brightly coloured shantung silk dresses with oversized bow detailing. The lighting then became more dramatic as a series of blowsy chiffon dresses took centre stage. Teresa Kopias‘ S/S 2012 collection may not have been ground-breaking, but it was rather lovely, I thought.

Teresa Kopias Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography Amelia Gregory

Teresa Kopias S/S 2012. Doesn’t this last model have a touch of the Kate Moss about her?

Teresa Kopias Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography Amelia Gregory

Teresa Kopias S/S 2012. Note buff men on stilts!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Tuesday November 1st, 2011 5:23 pm

Categories ,Chiffon, ,Evening Wear, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,Geiko Louve, ,Kate Moss, ,Lodz, ,Naked Men, ,Shantung Silk, ,Teresa Kopias

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Zuo Corp

Zuo Corp S/S 2011 by Antonia Parker.

Zuo Corp used a disturbing soundtrack that featured clanging bells and what sounded like screaming monkeys. It was an odd accompaniment to a collection that featured some very elegant tailored pieces and which riffed nicely on some current on trend details. Pan collars were outsized and padded on suited bodies and fitted jackets came with a 60s vibe or exaggerated rounded sleeves, enhanced by the swirling up dos.

Zuo Corp Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia gregory

Twice a group of models trekked to the end of the catwalk in formation wearing bandeau tops and sleekly fitted pencil skirts which created a kind of glamourous lingerie vibe. Neoprene, plastic and lace were constructed into tightly tailored jacket dresses and sheaths, with an injection of colour in the form of searing tangerine orange. Many of the collection’s winning elements were repeated far more than necessary, but otherwise this was a glamourous and on trend collection with international appeal. Read my review of the A/W 2012 Zuo Corp catwalk show here. It featured a full marching band!

Zuo Corp Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia gregory

Zuo Corp S/S 2012. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Wednesday November 9th, 2011 9:57 am

Categories ,60s, ,Antonia Parker, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,lingerie, ,Lodz, ,Neoprene, ,Orange, ,Pan Collars, ,review, ,S/S 2012, ,Sculptural, ,Suiting, ,Zuo Corp

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Gala Dyplomowa Show at Andels

Dominika Naziebly by Joanne Oatts
Dominika Naziebly A/W 2010 by Joanne Oatts.

On Thursday night Andels Hotel hosted the Gala Graduate show of the Academy of Fine Arts, otherwise known as the Gala Dyplomowa, featuring top graduate fashion talent. We were ushered to the top floor of the hotel where the warehouse has retained its original huge proportions, big enough for a catwalk and plenty of seating. An utterly fabulous venue, and very convenient too…

Here, in alphabetical order (cos that’s the way it rolls) are the designers that showed:

Adriana Grudzinska KC Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Adrianna Grudzinska showed Polacz Kropki (Slow Up) – swing dresses and pleated separates in shades of camel, mushroom and peach.

Aleksandra Kmieci Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012 photo by Amelia Gregory

Aleksandra Kmiecik Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012 photo by Amelia Gregory

Kobieta Symetryczna featured sharp tailoring in white, black and beige with highlights in red slashes by Aleksandra Kmiecik, who also shows on the main schedule. I saw parts of this collection last season and you can read my review here.

Alicja Antoszczyk Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Gala graduate designer Alicja Antoszczyk showed as part of the Golden Thread Awards last season, so I instantly recognised her sleek rubberised garments, layered in sophisticated shades. The collection is called Zawsze Jest Jakie’s Ale: intriguing!

Dominika Naziebly Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Eco designer Dominika Naziebly also showed at the Golden Thread Awards: my favourite was wheeled out once again, a stunning red puffball dress. This season she also showed on the Off Out Of Schedule catwalk, review to come shortly.

Elzbieta Kapczynska KC Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Zip details and drop crotches were the order of the day at Elzbieta Kapczynska-KC, with a collection titled Zbroja Miejska.

Magdalena Zajaczkowska Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Magdalena Zajaczkowska by Geiko Louve.

Magdalena Zajaczkowska‘s collection was called Sploty I Przeploty, meaning Pleats and Intertwines. She showed oversized and bulbous knitwear in slate and dark jewel colours.

Martyna Idzikowsk Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Martyna Idzikowska showed a reprise of her innovative collection shown at the Golden Thread Awards – incredible layers of white fabrics created egg-like silhouettes, emphasised with blood red underlayers.

Olga Mieloszyk Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

Olga Mieloszyk by Novemto Komo.

Not speaking a word of Polish, I can’t be entirely sure, but I think that Olga Mieloszyk won the main award. Her Oranzeria collection was amongst my favourites: beautiful and wearable womens and menswear with intricate frills, panelling and pleated details in shades of orange and browns.

Karolina Glaguta Gala Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photo by Amelia Gregory

All photography by Amelia Gregory.

The show ended with a beautiful selection of sculpted evening dresses in sweetie shades by Karolina Glegula, except I am not sure I wrote down her name correctly: I did my best by squinting at the screen behind the catwalk since there was no information in written form to take away.

Find out more about the Golden Thread Awards in my previous blog post: it was certainly a night to remember: two solid hours of catwalk show!

Written by Amelia Gregory on Wednesday November 2nd, 2011 1:00 pm

Categories ,A/W 2011, ,Academy of Fine Arts, ,Adrianna Grudzinska, ,Aleksandra Kmiecik, ,Alicja Antoszczyk, ,Andels, ,Coats, ,Dominika Naziebly, ,Eco fashion, ,Elzbieta Kapczynska, ,Evening Wear, ,Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, ,Gala Dyplomowa, ,Gala Show, ,Geiko Louve, ,Golden Thread Awards, ,Joanne Oatts, ,Karolina Glegula, ,knitwear, ,Kobieta Symetryczna, ,Lodz, ,Magdalena Zajaczkowska, ,Martyna Idzikowska, ,Novemto Komo, ,Off Out Of Schedule, ,Olga Mieloszyk, ,Oranzeria, ,Pleats and Intertwines, ,Polacz Kropki (Slow Up), ,Sploty i Przeploty, ,Zawsze Jest Jakie’s Ale, ,Zbroja Miejska

Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland S/S 2012 in Łódź: Joanna Klimas

Joanna Klimas S/S 2012 by Antonia Parker.

The stars were out in force for catwalk favourite Joanna Klimas; including daughter of an ex president Aleksandra Kwasniewska & Eurovision Dance Contest star Edyta Herbus. No, I don’t know them either but I made sure someone explained what all the excitement was about.

Joanna Klimas Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-Aleksandra Kwasniewska & Eurovision Dance Contest star Edyta Herbus

Joanna Klimas S/S 2012 by Antonia Parker.

Joanna Klimas combined a bold colour palette of bright orange, grey, white, navy and black in a multitude of slick pleated formations. Favoured lengths were mid and maxi, worn with a purse belt or elegant clutch to match a mussed up hair do. Also on trend were sheer fabrics for blouses and as panels in overskirts. I can see many an elegant Polish woman swanning around in Joanna Klimas. And doesn’t this first model have a profile that reminds you a bit of Amy Winehouse, just a smidgen?

Joanna Klimas Fashion Week Poland SS 2012-photography by Amelia gregory

Joanna Klimas S/S 2012. All photography by Amelia Gregory.