Dear Diane and Shaded Viewers,
This past weekend I attended, along with a small group of international press, the DOING FASHION Graduate Show in Basel, Switzerland. The show highlighted 17 young talents from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts' B.A. program. The students were asked not only to create and present a collection for their final thesis (that Shoji photographed and shared) but also a graphic communication, sharing their environment, inspiration, point-of-view and /or reference. In other words – a "take-away" – that I now share with you.
Below is a shortlist of designers who caught my attention both on and off the catwalk.
Eva Fluckiger // www.evafluckiger.com
Dark and draped, Fluckiger's sheer printed dresses and floor-sweeping navy blue jacket were stand-outs. Shot in black & white, the printed matter highlights the collection details with advance use of light and at times an eery use of post-production.
Cosima Gadient // www.cosimagadient.com
Perhaps the most artful presentation of the evening, Gadient names each look "Genevae" followed by: Maxima, Nize, Diva or D'Or. Similar to the designers alternative approach to her live presentation, she opt's to create vastly different sets for each of her looks in the still life.
Jennifer Gadient // www.jennifergadient.com
Playing with elemental and textural details, Gadient's look book is both informational and graphically charged. She uses both product & mood images to convey her message – which was a keen move considering she uses: inflatable plastics, PVC and silk organza, etc.
Katharina Holz
An all white collection entitled Ariel, where Holz found her inspiration from a grand ship and the seas it might have traveled. Referencing vintage environmental images and moody saturated stills she shares only her flat drawings – perhaps a historical nod to her process.
Marlen Keller // www.marlenkeller.com
Keller offered a series of stand-alone pieces. Silhouettes that osculate between tones of red and white with hints of pale yellow and black. Her location images feel almost mid-century, where as her studio images feel moody and isolating.
For a full list of all the talented young designers from Basel, please visit www.doingfashion.ch
-Kristopher Arden-Houser
