II by Claes Iversen Catwalk Fashion Show MBFWA FW2015

Amsterdam Fashion Week truly saved one of the best designers till the end. On Monday evening Claes Iversen presented his FW2015/2016 collection as a closure of a week full of fashion on a catwalk decorated by ethnic rugs. The show was a mix between couture and ready to wear (II by Claes Iversen) and therefore included a lot of wearable looks next to some incredible, handcrafted pieces of art.

For his II By Claes Iversen collection Claes was inspired by Islandic saga’s, Nordic myths and fairytales. Influences (visible through patterns and fabrics developed by the designer himself)he mixed with inspiration form Yves Saint Laurents Russian Collection, resulting in a warm color palette and rich materials. Patchwork details could be seen on the eyecatchers of the show. Like the patchwork of a wild fox on a bonded sweatshirt. The most fragile looks decorated by embroidered flowers (which were the opening of the show) referred to elf’s as hairy teddy creations had us thinking of wild beasts.

The couture pieces had the same inspiration as a starting point. Rich materials, warm colors and lots of handcrafted pieces added to the folkloric feeling. Most materials, like lace combined with hand embroidered crystals and beads, were developed by Claes’ atelier. Coats and skirts with a fur feeling were actually made out of satin ribbons and woolen yarn. An absolute showstopper was an ivory colored dress/jacket with a fully embroidered body and structured sleeves made out of those ribbons. A similar look in blue had the same breathtaking effect. Not to mention the floor sweeping folkloric red dress worthy of a Nordic queen. And of course every editor in the room found her dream wedding dress by the time the final, jaw dropping look appeared.

Claes told the most wonderful fairytale. Now we’re all enchanted.