Celebration H&M x Balmain continues with a fragrance!

The celebration with H&M x Balmain continues with a fragrance!

Olivier Rousteing: "I wanted to create something special for the Balmain x H&M fragrance. It is really deep and mysterious, something that could be for both him and her. It also knows itself, is seductive and makes you feel so good when you wear it. For me it was like taking the traditions of fragrance and making them new again. It has the energy and attitude of Balmain today, and I’m so excited to share it with everyone through H&M. The fragrance is for #HMBalmaination. The response to the Balmain x H&M collection was incredible, it made me feel so happy and proud and now I´m looking forward to share this fragrance with all the Balmain and H&M fans that want more from the collaboration."

To celebrate the collection, Balmain and H&M have created an exclusive limited edition fragrance. The Eau de Perfume is both deep and enlightened, with top notes of tonka bean and white jasmine petals, with a woody heart of blond woods and cedar Texas.

The finish is a bewitching combination of white musk and Australian Sandalwood. The fragrance will be available in selected stores worldwide from 3 December. Price: 34.99€ (100 ml)

In Greece, the perfume will be available at the following Η&Μ stores:

The Mall Athens
Vas, Georgiou Piraeus
Ermou 11, Athens
Tsimiski 20, Thessaloniki
Quotes

H&M Conscious Exclusive 2016: Historic art inspires fashion for the future

H&M is proud to announce a collaboration with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs located in the Palais du Louvre in Paris to celebrate the new H&M Conscious Exclusive collection.

This beautiful new range has been inspired by the archives of the museum, and will be launched on Thursday 7th April to coincide with the opening of the hotly anticipated exhibition, Fashion forward - Three centuries of fashion.

H&M is delighted to also reveal that Parisian art director, style maven and sustainability champion, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, will be the face of the campaign.

"I am honoured to be the ambassador of such a unique project. I think that the idea of creating a collection inspired by the history of art and fashion is brilliant. Especially since it is made with innovative and sustainable materials which are the future of fashion" says Julia.

Known for her distinctive personal sense of style, Julia is the embodiment of effortless, conscious and modern cool. For this Conscious Exclusive collection the H&M design team has worked closely with the museum, delving into their collections of archival fashions as well as the work of artists such as Gustave Moreau to find inspiration.

The outcome is a glamorous line of modern red carpet pieces infused with tactile charm, a nostalgic aesthetic and a historical legacy.

"With this collection we brought the idea of sustainability to new levels. Working with new innovative materials such as beads and rhinestones made from recycled glass and Denimite, a material made from recycled worn-out denim. We have created contemporary styles imbued with a sophisticated charm" says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M.

H&M will be the exclusive sponsor of the upcoming exhibition which will include selected styles from the H&M archives, including a look from the first ever H&M designer collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004 as well as one silhouette from the new Conscious Exclusive collection.

The complete collection, featuring clothing and accessories for women, will be available from Thursday 7th April in around 180 stores worldwide and online.

Me & My FabLab: 3D printing Photo Frame Holder

My quest in the fablab continues. Today my challenge was to create a photo frame holder for a printed photo on plexiglas.

First I was looking for inspiration and decided that our love for cats could by used for it, as the photo frame holder is going to be designed for a special place.

So I searched for a 3D printed cat on Tinkercad and used it in my design.

Followed by how to make my photo frame holder, I choose to make an angle of 11 degrees, so the photo will have a slight angle.

I copied the cats, two I mirrored so they look to the other site and put them 'in' the holder.

Followed by grouping them and the result in Tinkercad likes this:

Now my design is ready for the 3D printer:

And the result is:

More photos coming up next week, when the photo on the plexiglas is ready to put in the photo frame holder! You can download the design on Tinkercad.

Did you see my previous posts of Me & My Fablab?

Me & My FabLab - Laser Engraved Marshmallows

Me & My FabLab - 3D printing a bracelet.

Me & My FabLab - 3D printing keyring including a short film!

Me & My FabLab the introduction!

Do you like to learn this too? Come join me at FabLab Zoetermeer.

My visit to Jan Taminiau

Sunday I had the pleasure to see haute couture dresses made by Jan Taminiau and listen to a reading on the talented dutch fashion designer by Wendy Fossen at Gemeentemuseum Den Haag.

Jan Taminiau gained world fame as fashion designer by creating the royal blue dress of Queen Máxima for the inauguration of her husband as King of The Netherlands in 2013.

I first met Jan Taminiau during Amsterdam Fashion Week in january 2010, I was immediately an admirer.

His haute couture collection was all about sequins and ruffles, gold, nudes, pink and light blue, his workmanship was shown in all his designs with amazing silhouettes always following the female body.  I remember especially this show because it was my first show ever at Amsterdam Fashion Week and he created a scenery to capture the models with many small cameras all around them, creating a 3D illusion.

Raised in a family of antique dealers Jan Taminiau studied first in Antwerp but his passion for clothes was gained in his early age by dressing dolls of his sister. He decided the study at the Academy of Art and Design in Arnhem and signs up for his masters in 2003.

His first collection 'Unfolding' was presented during Paris Fashion Week in 2003 and in 2004 he created his own label JANTAMINIAU. Followed by each season presentations during Couture Week in Paris

Photo by ANP

At the opening of the Arnhem Fashion Biennale in June 2009 starred Princess Máxima in an outfit of Jan Taminiau: a customised postbag jacket and gold pants.
It seems that Máxima is a fan of Jan too.

She is wearing during several occasions his designs, the 15th of september 2015 during the opening of the parliamentary year she wore an amazing silk dress with prints and embroidery.


Lady Gaga and Beyonce are spotted in designs of the dutch couturier.

Jan Taminiau has established his name for his love for antique techniques in embroidery and couture,

his craftsmanship, his female silhouettes and his romantic gowns. 

“As a designer my goal is to make the ultimate dress, every single time, over and over again.”

My photo review of the dresses of Jan Taminiau in Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. Until the 7th of February you can visit them too!

I would love to wear a design by Jan Taminiau but for now I only got this to 'wear'.

Kate Perry for H&M campaign film is #HappyandMerry

H&M festive fairy Katy Perry casts her magic spell and takes us on an action-packed, fun-filled parade through the #HMHoliday season in the #HappyandMerry campaign.

In the film you hear Kate Perry's song Every Day Is A Holiday.

The film is directed by Jonas Åkerlund.

Her favorite item of the collection is the Elfie Selfie Sweater!
What is yours?



I love the red dress!

Spotted: Rihanna with a MCM case

Stylish Rihanna seems to be a fan of MCM and uses selected pieces from the collection for her appearances.
Over the past two months she has created several different looks with Color Visetos Vanity Case of the house, who are certainly the most interesting street style inspiration according to MCM.

Source: Press Release Act & React

FashionWeek Nederland unveils vision for the 24th edition of MBFWA

FashionWeek Nederland just send me an inspiring press release all about promoting dutch fashion design. So save the dates for the 24th edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam, it seems to be one of the great ones!

So here the press release and judge for yourself:

Long live the Dutch Fashion Heritage with Dutch Couture and visionary fashion design. And long live the future of Dutch fashion.
Past, present and future come together during the 24th edition. Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam, the largest fashion platform of the Benelux, will be giving the fashion culture and industry its well-deserved attention by granting the Dutch history of fashion a catwalk, by creating a challenging podium for innovative fashion talents, by programming a varied catwalk programme consisting of designer labels and established names and by presenting an inspiring ‘OFF SCHEDULE’ (formerly known as Downtown) programme.

FashionWeek Nederland presented the programme of the 24th edition of Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam today in the DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam. By doing so it also presented its ambition, vision and strategy as the largest fashion platform of The Benelux.

The 24th edition of Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam will be taking place from the 8th until the 18th of January 2016 in the Westergasfabriek. The ‘OFF SCHEDULE’ events will be taking place on different locations in Amsterdam.

Through the two large overview shows ‘Dutch Visionaries’ and ‘Dutch Couture & Crafts’, FashionWeek Nederland has formulated a clear position in regard to the Dutch fashion culture and its ideals. The visionary designers and the couture from 1960 onwards, shows emphasize what FashionWeek Nederland stands for: Granting a podium for the diversity of fashion in years, styles, names and visions. Both shows are presented by Mercedes-Benz.

Dutch Visionaries
Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam will be opened by ‘Dutch Visionaries’, a celebration of established names and upcoming talent; from ‘Puck en Hans’ to Le Cri Neerlandais, from Mac & Maggie to KEUPR/vanBENTM and from Collectie Arnhem to ‘Spijkers en Spijkers’.

Dutch Couture & Craft
The second overview show during the opening night carries the title ‘Dutch Couture & Craft’, an ode to Dutch couturiers like Max Heijmans, Frans Molenaar, Frank Govers, Edgar Vos, Fong Leng, but also Viktor & Rolf and Iris van Herpen, who all have immortalized the quality and richness of Dutch fashion.

Catwalk Programme
In the Catwalk Programme Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam shows a deep and broad programme, by showcasing creative, commercial and a cultural blend of labels and brands, like Jef Montes, Claes Iversen, Tony Cohen, Oilily, Army of Me, Mick Keus, Snurk, Aziz Bekkaoui, Jazz Kuipers and ‘Spijkers en Spijkers’.

Future Generation
Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam will be closed by ‘Future Generation’ on the 18th of January. The all-day programme, named ‘Brave Monday’, has – in contrast with the opening night – an ‘Off Catwalk’ character. It combines the future of fashion by using the vision of 15 designers in the form of installations, statements and performances. FashionWeek Nederland wants to create a broader platform of support for young talented designers by giving them the space to showcase new vision and products. ‘Brave Monday’, made possible by smart, is also accessible for the public.

OFF SCHEDULE
OFF SCHEDULE, formerly known as Downtown, forms an integral part of Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam. This fresh new programme directly puts the consumer in contact with the magic of the catwalk. The theme within the programme is the vision that fashion is for everybody. During ten days, more than ten locations will be used as locations for fashion events, where the Fashion Fest in the Art’Otel, a couture dinner in the DeLaMar Theatre and a fashionable cooperation with Jett Rebel form the highlights.

Together with partners Mercedes-Benz, Make-up Studio, Elite models, Team Peter Stigter, Jurlights, Tommy Hagen and Westergasfabriek, FashionWeek Nederland developed a new campaign visual with model Milou and the dress created by Jef Montes. The video shows you how this photo shoot is done and how the campaign visual was created.

Peter Stigter capturing Milou

The setting

For the full program visit FashionWeek Nederland.

Lighting up XMAS @ The Golden Hall

Christmas is just around the corner and the Golden Hall in Marousi, Athens is getting ready.

This Friday, the 20th of November the Christmas tree will be lighted with many surprises and an extravagant celebration in collaboration with Easy 97,2.

With the slogan of this year's festival «Προσφέρω, Αγκαλιάζω, Αγαπώ» (I offer, I embrace, I love), we offer our love and care for those who really need it.

The Golden Hall hosts eight charity organisations and expect all of you to support them with your participation. A decoration, an embrace ... one act of love. You can make your purchases from the charities kiosks on the 1st floor and get your free 'love bauble' to decorate the Christmas trees of the Golden Hall.

From 10 a.m. in the morning Golden Hall welcomes you with musical choices by Easy 97,2, and at 5 p.m. the scene will be filled with a children's chorus, singing Christmas Carols!
Followed by George Papadopoulos,  Demy and Thomai Apergi all singing together.  And at 7 p.m. George Liagkas and Fay Skorda will light the lights on the Christmas tree!

Fireworks will complete the magic and the concert will continue for a festive evening.

Christmas celebrations starts in the Golden Hall with exciting events that will add the spirit for children and adults throughout the duration of the Christmas holidays.

So visit the Golden Hall with your loved ones, get photographed with Santa Claus and get acquainted with the Christmas Polar Bear. Stroll to the carousel, warm up with a cup of mulled wine and enjoy candy floss in the most festive atmosphere.

The Golden Hall expects you all this Friday, the 20th of November and welcomes together this Christmas and hope for a new year full of tender hugs and love!

Like to see the celebration in previous year, have a look here and here.

Me & My FabLab: Laser Engraved Marshmallows

Today at FabLab Zoetermeer a new challenge was offered to me, writing names on marshmallows.

First I had to make a template for the marshmallows in CoralDraw, by measuring the marshmallow and using these measurements in Coral Draw. Followed by adding names.
As we needed a lot of marshmallows with names on it, I put them all together in the machine so it could laser them all together!
The challenge is also to find marshmallows that are around the same height.

Than I choose the printing device, a laser engraving machine. This machine will heat the sugar on the marshmallow in order to melt the sugar.
First step on the machine is the cleaning, as you want to eat the marshmallows!
Second is to install the heigth of the marshmallow, as it is of soft material you can't use autofocus, so you need to use the manual focus.

And the third step is founding out in which density you should install the laser. By starting with low pressure and high speed.  Followed by more pressure and less speed you get the perfect result. As for each machine and marshmallow it is different so you have to find out yourself!

Can you imagine the smell it created, it was like working in a pastry shop!

The result was amazing: a perfect treat for birthday parties but also for other gatherings like launching a new magazine or brand!

My next challenge for the laser engraving machine will be using this technique on fabrics! So keep following me in my learning process.

You are also welcome at FabLab Zoetermeer or find a FabLab in your neighbourhood!

Did you see also my previous post on Me & My Fablab on 3D printing.

Peace & Love @ GAP 's Christmas Collection

Love, optimism, joy and warmth, values ​​completely intertwined with Christmas, are reflected in pieces of the new collection GAP Holiday 2015.
GAP believes that they provide perfect symbolic festive gifts that will give pleasure to all who are on your Christmas gift list!

Gap presents their campaign "Peace + Love", celebrating love and inviting us to express it in all its forms, from friendship and companionship, to family, our favorite pets and more.

Craig McDean captured Lily Donaldson and Joan Smalls for above photo, showing the models ready for the cold winter months.

GAP used in the collection Fair Isle knitting for the pullovers, inspired by the traditional knitting technique of the tiny island in the north of Scotland, in bright colours and designs.

Combine these particular pullover with knitted trousers, leggings, joggers or your favorite Gap 1969 jeans.
A special touch to your winter look are the accessories that make the difference, from hats to gloves and more that will keep you warm and stylish all winter.

Apart from casual appearances, the new collection Gap Holiday'15, offers a wide range of pieces to stand out and be in the spirit of the holidays with festive motifs or elegant monochrome combinations.

Will Chalker & kid by Craig McDean

For men and children GAP has some ideal gift suggestions. From November the 19th, visit one of the Gap stores, and you will find a specially designed area to choose gifts for Christmas and the New Year.
Cause your loved ones deserve all the attention and love even through a symbolic gift, chosen and packed with love!

ONIRAMA opens Christmas season @ McArthurGlen

Tomorrow, Friday the 13th of November at McArthurGlen Designers Outlet in Spata, 30 minutes of the center of Athens, the Christmas Tree will be turned on with an 'explosive' concert by the most dynamic band in Greece, ONIRAMA.

Themis Georgantas will welcome ONIRAMA at 6 p.m. and you to celebrate together and to light all the lights along the 15 meter Christmas tree of the village.

It is the launch of the Christmas Shopping and Music Festival. And especially tomorrow night you will have 20% extra discount on your purchases!

And last but not least a spectacular show of fireworks illuminating the sky over the designers outlet village.

Admission is free for the entire public.

See here my photo review of ONIRAMA at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet.

Me & My FabLab: 3D printing bracelet

This is already my third post about Me & My Fablab. Today the challenge was to print a bracelet.

It is amazing how the 3D community is working, you can learn all about 3D design and printing on the internet for free on sites like TinkerCad and Thingiverse. For more links you can visit FabLab.

You can use one of the interesting 3D designs and print it in your own FabLab, add some changes and improve the design.

So I found the following bracelet on Thingiverse, translated it to TinkerCad and printed it!

See my steps and the results in photos.

Do you like to learn this too? Come join me at FabLab Zoetermeer.

See also my previous posts on Me & My FabLab:

Me & My FabLab - 3D printing keyring including a short film!

Me & My FabLab the introduction!

Kate Perry celebrates Xmas @ H&M

Kate Perry presents the Christmas 2015 collection for H&M. I love the simplicity and elegance in this ad campaign.

On the 23rd of November you can watch the entire campaign here.

Photos courtesy of H&M