FASHION FOCUS: Iris Van Herpen

THE WORDS HAUTE COUTURE GET THROWN AROUND QUITE OFTEN…  I BELIEVE IRIS VAN HERPEN DESERVES KUDOS…

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One day some time ago I was watching TV and Albert started gasping and ohmygod-ing repeatedly while looking at photos online. We regularly gush about fashion at my address so at first I thought nothing of it. I think I was even in the middle of writing another FASHION FOCUS when all this gushing was happening and didn’t get up right away. As it continued I eventually got up to see what all the fuss was about……. To say that I got an eye-full would be the understatement of the year!

(I do not own copyrights to this photography. All photos found on the internet)

 

I’m sure the seasoned and studied fashionista would give me the “oh her?” response if I mentioned that I had never heard of this amazing Dutch designer. But until that day, Iris Van Herpen (IVH) was not even a part of my vocabulary. I’m happy to say that this is no longer the case. Her designs are jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. Each piece is artwork set in motion and I’d love to own any one of them. The materials used look basic yet futuristic. As I look through each collection I get the distinct feeling that IVH and I would really get along. By the looks of her designs I would gather that her imagination is beyond vivid. I would love to see private sketches and design books, as I’m sure that all of it is frameable art. Visionary, in my opinion, is an understatement. I marvel at her work in the same way that I marvel at the late Alexander McQueen’s designs, and anyone familiar with McQueen knows that this is a LARGE statement. So you wouldn’t be shocked to learn that IVH interned with the McQueen design house (and others) after her college studies. By no means am I making a comparison between the two. I am, however, pointing out that the craftsmanship and artistic imagery of IVH’s work gives me the same awestruck vibe I get when seeing any of McQueen’s work.

The following images, which again I do not own any copyrights to, are but a few in the IVH library and links to different collections will be listed below should you choose to dive a bit deeper. Enjoy these photos and study the attention to detail. Enjoy the choice of materials and the shapes created. Appreciate the vision and wrap your mind around what it would be like to wear one of these masterpieces.

have you been amazed yet?   there’s more….

you must be kidding me!

the structure of these pieces, the precision, the work that went into the vision alone……and then you consider the actual hours that went into the work. One could only imagine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and yet, there’s still more. What do you think so far? On her website IVH says,  “In all my work I try to make clear that fashion is an artistic expression, showing and wearing art, and not just a functional and devoid of content or commercial tool. With my work I intend to show that fashion can certainly have an added value to the world,  that it is timeless and that its consumption can be less important than its beginning.” Timeless, indeed. Artistic expression, of course. I consider these designs great contributions to the art world….

are you SERIOUS with this dress?!

There are tons of borrowed (thanks internet) photos I could add into this piece, but we all know how to use search engines. I gave you a snippet, now it’s time to do a little digging of your own.

Check out these collections:

capriole: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/site/collections/capriole-paris-haute-couture-show

micro: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/site/collections/micro

escapism couture: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/site/collections/escapism-couture

 

 

 

 

crystallization: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/site/collections/crystallization

synesthesia: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/site/collections/synesthesia

**naturally, there are more collections available on her site….   I got you started…. finish it up if you’re into it. Also, take a look at this runway show….IRIS VAN HERPEN HAUTE COUTURE FALL WINTER 2011-2012 ….. absolutely STUNNING!

http://iwantigot.geekigirl.com/2011/08/09/iris-van-herpen-haute-couture-fall-winter-2011-2012-video/

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I hope you have enjoyed our trip through Iris Van Herpen land… I am always on the search for inspiration and IVH has totally inspired me in many ways. It would be lovely to be able to wear these pieces, ALL OF THEM! I’m very curious about how they feel, how lightweight or heavy they are, how I would walk, if any of them afforded you the ability to sit down….. so many thoughts come to mind. Thought-provoking fashion turns me on and this is without a doubt the most thought-provoking fashion I have seen lately. Even if I am late. HA!

See you next week   Thanks for dropping in!

*Look how you want to  f e e l*

Tags: Fashion Focus, gaysocialites, Iris Van Herpen, lady gaga, LGBT, Ricky Jones