Introducing Colette Sol

Colette Sol is a brand for a strong and stylish woman who likes to go for something different than usual. The shoes of this brand are also striking, colourful and feature trendy prints and interesting details. Consider, for example, the combination of dashes with stars, or metallic leather with transparent mesh. The shoes are not only colourful and fashionable, but also very comfortable.
Each model is equipped with an extra padded footbed so that your foot is well supported and it feels like you walk on soft pads.

From the summer collection you will be cheerful in one go. Bright colors and fun prints predominate. Thus the SS19 collection is completely in line with the trend of 2019: color-blocking!
From red ankle boots and bright green sandals to purple and bright blue boots, in terms of color this summer is definitely good with the shoes of Colette Sol.

About
Colette Sol was founded by Miranda and Colette Sol for charitable causes that are committed to women and girls worldwide by designing beautiful, hand-made shoes.  The sisters aim to improve the lives of young women around the world, particularly those impacted by human trafficking.

In 2010, Colette Sol was inspired by MamaCash: an organisation that works against the international trafficking in women, in which underprivileged young girls are presented with a beautiful picture of Europe and subsequently end up in even more misery and poverty.

With this story in mind, the founders of Colette Sol went in search of a small organisation where they could make an active contribution. Eventually this became Mor Cati, a Turkish women's shelter where the residents make stuff from residual materials from different factories.
Colette Sol donated pieces of leather and bought the products - among other wallets and bags - that the women and girls made of them.
In recent years Colette Sol has also organised stiletto runs several times, the proceeds of which went to various organisations, including Free A Girl.

Since 2017 the brand supports the Dutch organization Comensha. This foundation is there for victims of trafficking from all parts of the world. They start a new life in apartments that are partly furnished by Colette Sol. The brand not only donates furniture and other household items, but also bicycles, baby carriages, sewing machines and, for example, children's clothing.

Since its inception in 2010, the Colette Sol brand has gained a loyal customer following in the European fashion market with a strong reputation for elegant, durable, and extremely comfortable shoes. "Our hope is that each and every time you wear your Colette Sol shoes, conversations will be sparked and awareness will be raised about the issue of human trafficking."
You will definitely get attention in their shoes and it’s the founders dream that each woman who wears them will become an ambassador and an advocate, not only for the brand, but also for other women, worldwide, so that they too can feel beautiful, strong, glamorous, and free.

Preta Wolzak & Bas Kosters in Museum Rijswijk

Impressive and inspiring are the two words that came up to me during my visit to Wolzak & Kosters serious international business exhibition in Museum Rijswijk.

Looking at the art works of Preta Wolzak, you just keep looking. So many details, so well executed, so stylish and so impressive. The handicraft is amazing! Many works by Bas Kosters gave me a smile on my face and remind me of the innocence and open-mindedness of children.
By the way I would love to have his flowers in my home!

Museum Rijswijk opened the first duo-exhibition of Preta Wolzak & Bas Kosters and it will be on display from 12 Februari to 31 March 2019.

The connection between the two artists are the urgent need to create. Both artists have their own unique view of the world: one from within self-love, the other from adoration of militant women and their protests against injustices in this world.
Both artists use textile and embroidery techniques in their work.

It's about the craziness of mankind. I think, there should be places in the world that are free from all the bad deeds of man. 

Preta Wolzak

With her art, Wolzak points a finger at the exploitation of the pristine polar region and the unknown women who fight to preserve the lands. Her protest takes place in the form of leather, sequins and embroidery on canvas, on a background of photographic and drawn images.
A similar protest can be found in her portrait series Ma Petite Inuit, of the original inhabitants, the first victims of climate change and tourism. The Bèta Angels series is a tribute to forgotten women in science, while the Fighting Females show women who acted against humanitarian and environmental abuses.

I have the urge to make a party of everything in life, put a bow around it, or decorate it, which I also recognize in the work of Preta.

Bas Kosters

Kosters presents tapestries, drawings and soft sculptures, including a new series of works about self-love called "Quest for self-love". Those who look closely at his work notice that Kosters not only has a rebellious side, but that commitment and love form the foundation of his work.

Quest for self-love is about the importance of self-appreciation at a time when everyone is looking for validation from the outside world. Kosters also shows work from the series Tears are the glitters of life, in which the tear not only symbolizes grief but demonstrates how important it is to embrace emotions.

I was impressed by the story Bas Kosters told us about a giant tapestry. The used fabrics are clothes from his late father. Also in this piece of art a coat is fabricated. His father was proud to wear his clothes, so he was very eye-catching at the municipality of his hometown.

My photo review of the opening but the photos don't justify the beauty of the art works, so you have definitely plan a visit to the museum in Rijswijk!

Some artworks are for sale! But as Bas Kosters said: "I hope you did some savings!"

This one by Preta Wolzak is definitely one of my favourites! 

Duo exhibition Preta Wolzak & Bas Kosters
Exhibition: 12 February - 31 March, 2019
Museum Rijswijk, Herenstraat 67, 2282 BR Rijswijk
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 11-17

Kaia Gerber: Wanted for Glow

Tom Pechaux, Global Beauty Director for YSL Beauté answers all the questions about the new products of the brand and about how the make up was applied for the 2019 campaign for YSL.

David Sims lensed Kaia Gerber, Staz Lindes and Zoë Kravitz' glow for the ad campaign of YSL Touche Eclat 2019.

Touche Eclat was launched back in 1992. Since that moment 'the golden pen' with a magical formula had the power to clarify and highlight in just a few strokes. As a milestone in makeup innovations, the favourite of many makeup artists and has been widely used ever since.

Touche Eclat Radiant Touch is used as a highlighter to strengthen the contours of your face, give light and create volume where the shadow falls; and today a new chapter starts in the Touche Eclat collection.

As said before, YSL Beauté launches new additions, including the Touche Eclat High Cover, a new clarifying concealer to camouflage the complexion a little more.

Enjoy reading the Q&A with Tom Pecheux, Global Beauty Director for YSL Beauté.

It has been loved and adored by makeup artists (and consumers!) for over 25 years. Do you remember the first time you “met” Touche Eclat?

I do! I met it before it was famous. A long time ago when makeup was all about looking “normal”, suddenly this new product arrived which was light, face-friendly and had this lovely mix of providing both luminosity and coverage. As you may know about my makeup, I love glowing, healthy-looking skin, and this product was perfect for that. When it launched, in France and in Europe, in general the look was very much about “no makeup makeup”. With its click-click pen, and heavenly brush, here was a tool that made the wearer look like all she did was take great care of her skin!

How do you like to use Touche Eclat Radiant Touch?

I use it where it is needed and when it is needed – it is not designed to answer every makeup need, but for when the skin is a little sad and grey or you need a good illuminator with a little camouflage, it is perfect. It is a very gentle way to highlight.

How do you like to use the new Touche Eclat High Cover? 

This is the perfect product to use under your eyes or if you have dark eyelids. Sometimes, putting on a foundation can feel a little thick, especially if your skin is in great condition but all you need is a little spot coverage. I like to apply it before foundation for two reasons:
• Firstly, psychologically you always feel better straight away if you cover up the dark circles, spots or other imperfections on your face.
• Secondly, you are likely to use less foundation if you apply Touche Eclat High Cover first.
For super perfect skin, I will cover first with Touche Eclat High Cover, then use foundation where needed, and then finally add a very light touch of Touche Eclat Radiant Touch on top to bring extra light to the under eye area.

How do you choose the right shade of Touche Eclat High Cover?

It depends what you are trying to cover. If you are aiming to cover dark circles under your eyes, the general rule is to look for a slightly paler shade than your natural skin tone. If you want to cover pimples, the hardest thing is to hide the volume of the imperfection. Where it is raised on the skin, it will naturally catch the light, which makes it look bigger. So it is a good idea to pick a shade of Touche Eclat High Cover that isn’t lighter than your own skin tone. If it is a really bad pimple, I suggest taking a Q-Tip and with a little powder, dot the pimple as a finishing touch with a powder to make sure that the dome of the spot doesn’t catch the light and reflect it.

The Shimmer Sticks give a touch of glamour to an evening look. How would you use them during the day?

They are fabulous for the day, especially when applied on the décolleté because they highlight a beautiful décolleté or nice looking shoulder bones and you could even use a darker shade as a bronzer. They are also great to wear on the face, creating the impression of a bigger surface, so perfect on cheekbones or on a small forehead. I’ve even used them on a broad nose as, if you apply in a thin vertical line on the bridge of the nose they can be very flattering.

Tell us about Kaia... what did you enjoy about this new campaign for Touche Eclat?

Kaia is a dream to work with, she is fun, well-educated and insanely professional, especially when you consider she is still only 17! She has naturally very beautiful skin that is healthy and glowing, which epitomises the values of Touche Eclat. But like anyone, she can get tired, particularly during the runway season, so that’s when the cover-up is good, when her schedule is intense. For this campaign, Kaia was resting on top of a golden car, so I wanted to capture a certain radiance within her skin. I opted for a nude lip colour and a little makeup on the eyes so that the focus is still the great quality of her complexion and the highlighted cheeks. But you can see she still has a daring side to her.

YSL Beauté, Staz Lindes and Zoë Kravitz

Can you describe the makeup look for Zoë and Staz?

For me, the essence of this campaign is about letting the light shine through. You know, we always talk about “inner beauty”; we say to each other, “You shine!” or “You glow!” and that’s what I wanted to see here. It’s all about transparency, and that’s what Touche Eclat is all about too, because it’s the product which doesn’t create a barrier between the outside and the inside. There’s no “wall” to block the light, and it’s almost more like a natural filter which increases our inner light. The key to the look is to use different shades of Touche Eclat – it’s perfect because it’s sheer, creamy-textured but not greasy, and the colours fit the skin perfectly.

Kaia Gerber

How did you achieve Zoë’s look?

I started by massaging Zoë’s skin, cleansing and moisturizing to give a naturally glowing complexion. Then I used the Touche Eclat High Cover to help to erase any imperfections, following with Touche Eclat Radiant Touch and a Shimmer Stick to create a highlighter effect and bring a glow to the face, which is all about transparency and softness. I added a little bit of black Couture Eyeliner and mascara to frame the eyes, and a touch of Les Sahariennes Bronzing Stones to give a slight bronzing effect. On the lips I used Dessin Des Lèvres for a very natural looking effect.

What do you like about the campaign in terms of how it expresses the spirit and style of today’s YSL Beauté woman?

I love the image we created for this campaign, with this beautiful backlighting which creates a golden glow and the way Zoë and Staz have a perfect synergy. I think there is a freedom, a lightness of spirit, and a wonderful energy in today’s YSL Beauté woman, and I think we achieved that mood in this shoot.

#WANTEDFORGLOW

Photos courtesy of © Yves Saint Laurent

Amazing clips by Van Cleef & Arpels

Stylish and elegant are the clips by Van Cleef & Arpels. I fell in love with the ballerina clip, I would love to have it! It is just amazing, the design, the rocks and the finishing. It is designed in 1947 but timeless!

Photo courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels by Tony Falcon

An exhibition of 54 pieces of Van Cleef & Arpels' private collection is on display in the Galerie du Patrimoine, Paris, entitled “The clip, a stylish and elegant piece.”

The items are accompanied by documents from the archives, celebrate Van Cleef & Arpels’ beloved clip.

A jewelry piece in its own right, it embodies the Maison’s vision of femininity, timeless style and refinement. The exhibition brings together a multitude of motifs, shapes and color combinations typical of the years from 1920 to 2000, reflecting the privileged position this form of jewelry holds in the history of Van Cleef & Arpels. Ears of wheat, leaves, chrysanthemums, thistles, feathers and flames, perfect circles, lace bows, foxes, lions and playful fledglings, as well as charming ballerinas and fairies, may be worn on a hat, belt, pinned to the lapel of a jacket, dress, shoulder or on a neckline as desired.

As you know a love cats, also the wild ones. Isn't this clip just adorable?

"It is a poetic journey that revisits the vocabulary of the fauna and flora." So plan your visit to admire these 54 vintage pieces!

Practical information:
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Boutique
Galerie du Patrimoine 20,
place Vendôme
75001 Paris
Until March 30th,  from Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm

5 Top Exhibitions to visit in February 2019

Exhibitions are for me a source of inspiration, I love to visit them and get inspired. This passion I like to share with you, so here my top exhibitions to visit in February 2019.

1. Cultural Threads in Textielmuseum Tilburg

Caught in the Rapture - Kunstenaar: Mary Sibande - Textielmuseum Tilburg - Photo courtesy of Gallery MOMO

We live in a world in which borders between countries and people become blurred, power relations change radically and cultures intermingle. The exhibition 'Cultural Threads' presents work in which contemporary artists use textiles as a powerful tool to portray their ideas on politico-societal issues.

They connect textiles to their own search for origin and identity in an increasingly globalized world. Or they use it to unravel histories and outline new future perspectives. 'Cultural Threads' can be seen in the TextielMuseum until May 12, 2019. With works by Eylem Aladogan, Célio Braga, Hana Miletic, Otobong Nkanga, Mary Sibande, Fiona Tan, Jennifer Tee, Aiko Tezuka and Vincent Vulsma.

For more information visit Textielmuseum.nl

2. Cool Japan in Tropenmuseum Amsterdam

Cool Japan brings the worldwide fascination for Japan into the picture: from Hello Kitty to samurai and from the recognizable Japanese horror to kawaii ('cute') fashion from the streets of Tokyo.

The exhibition attracted a record number of visitors to Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden last year, and will be shown in renewed form in Amsterdam until 1 September 2019.

The Tropenmuseum adds, among other things, a spectacular kawaii installation, an installation by the Japanese artist Sebastian Masuda. The candy pink "Colorful Rebellion - Seventh Nightmare" was previously seen in Tokyo, New York and Miami; but for the first time in the Netherlands.

Tropenmuseum shows with historical masterpieces from the world famous Japanese collection that the icons of today are in a long tradition. Striking are the similarities between the old masters and modern artists. In Cool Japan you will discover that ancient techniques and visual tricks in historical prints, woodcuts and paintings are still being applied by modern mangaka (artists) and animators.
A central eye-catcher is the four-meter-high painting Uki-Uki by Matsuura Hiroyuki in which traditional and contemporary elements represent exactly the core of the exhibition.

For more information visit Tropenmuseum.nl

3. Party People in Museum Rotterdam

Party People is an exhibition about two generations of entertainment culture in which current developments in the Rotterdam nightlife scene are linked to the period in which it all began: the '90s.
The exhibition is on display until 23 June 2019.

Party People is an underground party of recognition for every party animal or fervent clubber who has ever made a step into Rotterdam's nightlife.

For this exhibition and the peripheral programming the museum collaborated with the authentic Rotterdam makers. Party icon Ted Langenbach and word artist Derek Otte zoom in as guest curators on the Rotterdam underground scene of the late 80s and early 90s. The period in which a DANCE-HOUSE-HIPHOP culture of (inter) national significance emerges in Rotterdam.
DJ & festival organizer Frank Dros and photographer Naomi van Heck, connoisseurs of and players in the current nightlife scene, zoom in on current events.
Music, fashion, photography, video, graphics, literature, spoken word, performance, art and design come together in this compelling exhibition.

In the exhibition you will go into the nightlife of the city; meet the doorhost, DJs and mc's, climb the stage and dance floor, marvel at the nightlife and experience the mysterious darkroom and the infamous afterparty. Everywhere the indispensable music sounds.

For more information visit museumrotterdam.nl

4. Erwin Olaf in Gemeentemuseum Den Haag/ Fotomuseum Den Haag

Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and The Hague Museum of Photography are to honour one of the Netherlands’ most famous photographers, Erwin Olaf (b. 1959), with a double exhibition.
The exhibitions are from 16 February until 12 May 2019.

Olaf, whose recent portraits of the royal family drew widespread admiration, will turn sixty this year – a good moment to stage a major retrospective. The Hague Museum of Photography will focus on Olaf’s love of his craft and his transition from analogue photojournalist to digital image-maker and storyteller. Olaf will himself bring together some twenty photographs by famous photographers of the past who have been a vital source of inspiration to him.

Gemeentemuseum Den Haag will show non-commissioned work by Olaf from 2000 to his most recent series, including the work he produced in Shanghai and his most recent series Palm Springs, on display for the first time. Olaf will be showing his photography in the form of installations, in combination with film, sound and sculpture.

What I want to show most of all is a perfect world with a crack in it. I want to make the picture seductive enough to draw people into the narrative, and then deal the blow. 

Erwin Olaf

For more information visit Gemeentemuseum.nl and fotomuseumdenhaag.nl

5. Contemporary Fashion in Dutch Costume Museum Amsterdam

This photo I took during Amsterdam Fashion Week, the designer Tess van Zalinge was inspired by dutch costume and Royal Delft.

Until March 31, 2019, the Dutch Costume Museum displays the "Contemporary Fashion" exhibition. The exhibition presents a selection of costumes and objects by contemporary fashion designers who are inspired by Dutch costume. This exhibition is an ode to these designers who got their inspiration from the Dutch costume and who, through their new designs, continue the designs and design from the traditional costume.
The Zuiderzee Museum (Collection from the exhibition 'Chased by the wind') and the Zeeuws Museum (collection of the exhibition 'Handwerk') have generously given a number of costumes, costume items and beautiful hats on loan for this exhibition.

In the exhibition, pieces of clothing by, among others, the following designers are shown; Walter van Beirendonck, Kasper Jongejan, Tess van Zalinge, Bas Kosters, Meeta Mastani & Marlies Fisher, Viktor & Rolf, Antoine Peters, Elizabeth van der Helm, Elke Wierenga.

For more information visit Hetklederdrachtmuseum.nl