ILJA by Ilja Visser Couture Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2016

Ever since last season Ilja Visser is ‘one of the big guys’. Meaning on Wednesday the 27th of January the Dutch designer was officially part of the Paris Haute Couture Week for the second time. She chose Palais Vivienne as the show location for the presentation of her SS16 couture collection ‘ASSIMILA’. Quite the classical, baroque backdrop to Ilja’s modern, clean, yet sculptural creations, which, as she explained, were an ode to contemporary femininity. A theme Ilja further elaborated on with crafted, soft shapes, textures and colors (whites, nudes as well as touches of orange and green) that carried a modern attitude. Designs looked impeccable, unique, refreshing and desirable. With an ability to please both the couture shopping rich ladies as well as some popstar stylists (Beyoncé dresser attended the show). Asymmetric strapless dresses, structured jackets, boxy tops and slip dresses and cropped tops; this was couture with a definite cool factor ready to be picked up by Hollywood’s/The fashion world’s latest it-girls. Now the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture might be a dinosaur institute that sure didn’t stop Ilja from giving her scheduled show an extra fashion forward touch. She arranged special light effects to create vivid colors on some of the models. Fresh faced models with a personality, who exceeded in their diversity, representing Ilja’s ‘urban cool’ and ‘new pretty’ beauty norm. Modern talented women, professionals, mothers, spouses and friends Ilja wants to be unapologetic while chasing their dreams. Like she is doing herself, and quite successfully so.

Ready to Fish Fashion Week Amsterdam FW2014

After having presented her work on all kinds of impressive locations (like Het Rijksmuseum, her own store at the Prinsengracht) Ilja Visser returned to the Amsterdam Fashion Week today. She kicked off the evening schedule with her Ready to Fish by Ilja show. For fall Ilja served us a great variety of casual wear with just the right amount of edge. Well known model Yfke Sturm opened the show in an all black casual meets business attire, her hair combed backwards, hands in her pockets. She set the mood for what was about to follow. Ultra comfortable, loose fitting pieces that can take you from the office to a late dinner within seconds. Transparent looks (like a raincoat) and details stood out, as well as a few bright green pieces and several graphic printed details. Skirts were long, tops were loose. A chic, completely camel colored look certainly made some jaws drop in the audience, as did a structured, all grey piece that formed the ultimate mix of both a dress and a coat. Finished at the office? And done with dinner? You can even hit a party in these looks. As a matter of fact, the brand is organizing an impressive afterparty tonight. Are you ready to par..err ..fish?

Ilja Visser Backstage SS10

It’s always fun being backstage watching the models transform from ordinary girls into real women. It’s a real tough job getting them ready in time, but you can leave that to the Redken & Mabelline-team. And did you see those eyelashes?

Ilja Visser Catwalk Fashion Show SS10

Ilja Visser is growing fast. Instead of one collection, she has three different lines she presented during the first day of AIFW: Ilja (couture) , Ready to Fish (business line) and Valizz (affordable fashion). All collections have that relaxed, fluid silouet and a soft color-palet. Next year she will open her first boutique in Amsterdam. Valizz looked very wearable and commercial with soft pastels, fluid fabrics and easy pieces like simple jackets, jeans and wide trousers. Ready to wear consisted of dresses, jackets and skirts in softer colors and faded prints. Couture by Ilja is extreme volume in dresses but also pieces in summer-tweed.

Monique Collignon & Ready to Fish by Ilja Visser Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

Ilja Visser: new feminity

Ilja Visser designs modern feminine clothes with a witty edge. Her wintercollection was all black with a little bit of white and Madonna-blue. The silhouette was sharp, with fitted jackets and pencilskirts but also soft with short dresses, wide trousers and  long eveningdresses.