Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

Catwalk Wonders

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

Fashion is so obsessed with daring new ideas that we thought we have seen it all, but not until we came across these clever and eye-catching designs from the Design Academy Eindhoven graduation show.

 

Kristofers Reidzans - Vice Versa

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

Designer Kristofers Reidzans is an intrepid explorer of the curious space between fashion and design.  His Vice Versa collection focuses on interior accessories which can be used as garments, but not in the way the curtains are recycled into children's clothes a la The Sound of Music.  Thus a ceiling-hung room divider can be transformed into a duvet-like over-vest, whilst a pretty wall tapestry lives a second life as a poncho-esque coat.  Not sure Sister Maria would approve, but at least this saves on wardrobe space.

We love dual-function objects, such as the Treasure Table from Frederik Roije, a nifty side table which doubles-up as a storage / presentation unit. 

Treasure Table Large

See more: Kristofers Reidzans

 

Mies Loogman - Safety Suit

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

At a time when we are bombarded with screaming headlines of gun crimes and terrorist attacks, it is easy to forget that the chances of being killed in these violent events is significantly lower than dying from, say, smoking.  Designer Mies Loogman highlighted this paranoia by designing a suit aimed to protect us from extreme weather events, which kill far more people than terrorist attacks.  The smart looking suit features an integrated life jacket, waders and other safety features - essential survival gear in the event of a flood or hurricane.  This may be an overkill for everyday use but it certainly makes us rethink what "safety" really means.

Keep yourself safe and dry, even in gale force winds, with the amazing stormproof umbrella from Senz.

Original Red Senz Umbrella

See more: Mies Loogman

 

Julian Lim - Alter Ego

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

Nobody wears hats anymore, some may say.  But what if hats can take on more functions than just warming your head?  Designer Julian Lim set out to redefine the perception of hats by designing a collection of headgear that can be transformed into something else by pulling a few carefully placed zips.  A bowler hat can thus be turned into shoulder pads, a floppy-brimmed hat into a mask, or a tall hat into a balaclava.  There is even a wide-brimmed hat which morphs into a baseball cap, which is actually quite useful.

Looking for a transformational accessory?  Try the Gil & Luc vase from Ghidini 1961, which transforms from a cup to a dish.

Gil & Luc Vase

See more: Julian Lim

 

Jian Da Huang - Reframe

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

Creating a distinctive silhouette in fashion is not easy, but this challenge is now slightly less difficult thanks to the latest creation from designer Jian Da Huang.  Inspired by the human skeleton, Reframe is a series of bone-like fabric straps and fasteners which can be combined with other items of clothing to create some rather unconventional shapes and silhouettes.  For the more practically minded this can also be used to breathe new life into baggy t-shirts, maternity dresses (after childbirth) and old Roman togas.

Give the humble apron a bit of structure and transform it into an elegant dress with the Anna apron from Ugi.

Anna Apron

See more: Jian Da Huang

 

Juliette Delforge - Hand Conscious

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

We have seen the likes of Zara and H&M speed up the fashion cycle and turn garments into almost disposable items.  According to designer Juliette Delforge the answer is to create clothing which are so difficult to make and with such unusual designs that the wearer is more likely to hang on to them in the long term.  The first product she tried this philosophy on is the humble pair of jeans, which she had remade in plastic and other unusual fabrics, with patterns made from specialist printing techniques and featuring plenty of embellishments.  The results are rather attractive and very space-age, perfect for those who want to make a fashion statement. 

If you like unusual graphic effects you will love the stunning Lake rug from Golran.

Lake Rug - Shades of Red

See more: Juliette Delforge

 

Billie Van Katwijk - Ventri

Fashion Forward - Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show Roundup

In our quest to find the most exotic leathers to quench our thirst for unusual handbags we have skinned a multitude of creatures from lizards and crocodiles to ostriches and eels.  But what about cows' stomachs, which are largely wasted and mainly used as dog food?  Designer Billie Van Katwijk is attracted by the unusual textures and patterns of cows' stomachs (all four of them) and set out to transform them into a unique range of leathers using a labour intensive tanning process.  These were then turned into a series of handbags which are captivating to look at but perhaps hard to stomach for some.

For bags made from more conventional leathers check out the Ven Zippered Pouch from Finell

Ven Zippered Pouch - Black

See more: Billie Van Katwijk