Benchellal at Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week

After Paris we’d just checked into fashion rehab, only to check out two days later as the fashion train already departs for it’s next destination, a new fashion week, the Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week. Founded in 2014 this fashion week which focuses on sustainable innovations takes place once a year. During this week both young and established designers get a chance to show how they incorporate this theme, which importance is ever growing, in their work. This years sustainability theme: circularity.

On Thursday night designer Mo Benchellal – not a sustainable designer per se, but he was in for an experiment – kicked off the 2018 edition of this fashion week with the presentation of his collection Re-Uniform at the Marineterrein in Amsterdam. A collection of 32 looks created from recycled uniforms, tents and backpacks. Influences from the marine, the fire department and the police were clearly visible in the caps and logo’s. Toughness was also in the details like large pockets, epaulettes and all kinds of straps which came from his deconstructed uniforms. Army greens, deep blue and camouflage prints added to that effect.

And still Benchellal managed to give his collection an absolute feminine twist. He did so by using lots of tulle, satin and taft. By adding ruffles, playing with volume and creating larger than life dresses. An XL army green dress seemed to be made out of a complete tent. The designer even managed to come up with an impressive bridal gown, which the model sported with a camouflage jacket and a blue helmet. Such an interesting contrast! If only our soldiers and officers would go out dressed like this..