THE IOU- PROJECT- INDIVIDUALISM AND TRANSPARENCY

I keep the torch high for people who want to change our way of consuming fashion. Therefore I would like to  introduce you to the IOU- Project. IOU founder Kavita Parmer and Ricky Posner decided two years ago to produce clothes which celebrate individualism and on the other hand make the production process visible and transparent. Through the use of e-commerce tools, social media and digital marketing they are trying sell their clothes to people who want transparency, accountability and authenticity.
The basic of each garment is the traditional Indian Lungi, a 2 meter piece of woven cotton fabric, usually solid or in madras plaid. The design of each Lungi is unique and depends on the creative imagination of the weaver on the day of the production of each individual Lungi. Every piece of clothing is therefore different.
The garments are produced in Italy which helped to innovate new ways of productions since the garments are produced from these individual pieces of clothes instead of meters and meters of the same machine woven fabrics.
The use of videos make it possible for the customer to connect to the bottom of the production line and encourages the customer to follow up how his garment is being  made and even connects to the individual weaver of your garments. Furthermore IOU encourages his customers to take photographs of themselves in their IOU's, so that this again connects people on on different levels.
I think there is so much stuff going on here and in the end I was a bit reluctant to see the products, but after what I have seen, the designs are brilliant too by keeping a basic stable of items like simply cut shirts, ties, dresses and even espadrilles, and let the fabric speak for itself. I am absolute behind the IOU and they will go live on its website at the end of the this month. After the first ' appetizers ' of their collection below I will put all  further information about the IOU- Project at the end of the post. I hope I made you curious for the clothes and please spread the word.

All photos taken from the IOU's facebook website

For further information please visit the following links:
IOU- Project on facebook :  http://www.facebook.com/iouproject#!/iouproject
IOU- Project on youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yybe3hB3Ix4
IOU- Project interview with FashionablyMarketing.Me : http://fashionablymarketing.me/2011/04/iou-project-craft-fashion/

CARINE ROITFELD SPEAKS OUT- SPIEGEL.COM

I found this interview with Carine Roitfeld, former French Vogue Chief Editor, with the German political magazine Spiegel. I am really intrigued by how honest Madame Roitfeld talks about the fashion world today and I think it is true. The new globalised world squeezes out every creative energy to make it into 'quick bucks'. I think we really need to re-think our relation ship to fashion and consumerism. Please read through the interview go to this link: Spiegel.de

Carine Roitfeld ( photo by pspiegel.de )

IN BERLIN- FASHION SHOOT FOR FANTASTIC MAN MAGAZINE

Firstly I have got to apologize. I have not posted for ages. I just felt creatively blocked the last three weeks.

But enough of it, right now. I looked through my e-mails this afternoon. I would like to share with you this photo shoot for the up-coming issue of Fantastic Man magazine .
The shoot shows 7 gentlemen from Berlin, as you might know, my favourite place in Germany, the land I grew up in. Photographed by Paul Wetherell and styled by Jodie Barnes, Fantastic Man tried to caught the understated style of Germany's capital. The shoot is a co-operation with  thecorner.com. 
Enjoy the pictures and I promise to post more in the next time. I think Berlin helped me to find my muse again! Please enjoy the pictures.

The new issue of Fantastic Man will be out on 13th of April and the clothes of the shoot you can buy on thecorner.com.