#InstaLOVE – August 2018

August 15, 2018August 14, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

@establishmentny

I am an Instagram maniac and I openly confess that I spend too much time on filtering my feed. But it’s irresistible, when you have so many great accounts to follow! If you are ready for a dose of beautifully curated walls, inspiring photos and delightful shots – see my August recommendations!

@apollo_bar / It’s not only the local fashion week that makes me want to visit Copenhagen so badly. It’s also Frederik Bille Brahe’s restaurant, Apollo Bar. The place serves breakfasts, brunches, lunches, dinners and cocktails in its simple, but chic space. Even if I’ve never been to the place, I know the menu visually. From oysters and artichokes to octopuses and various scallops, Apollo really, really makes you drool over everything. Plus, the delicious photos from this restaurant’s Instagram tempt as well.

@establishmentny / If you want to know the models of the seasons to come, follow this New York-based agency. From the well-known names, like Adwoa Aboah and Edie Campbell, to new-comers (like Adesuwa), Establishment sets the most brilliant model castings. Love their backstage pics from fashion weeks, too!

@missmellowwarsaw / Warsaw’s hottest cake and dessert shop. Brioche toasts to meringue tarts, Miss Mellow is a sweet treat, that’s for sure. I’ve got that matcha cake on my radar for a while…

@stella_vonsenger / Stella Vonsenger is the antidote to all those serious influencers, it-girls and bloggers that are all over the ‘gram. Whether in a candy-cotton pink Cecilie Bahnsen dress or front-row, Stella radiates with so much joy and care-free energy. Expect the most unobvious outfits from this Berliner.

@sssuerose / Whoever this person is, I love him / her. The daily dose of sweetness, coming straight from Korea’s best patisseries, is my daily obsession. I would indulge myself in every single bite of that peach cake… just like in all that matcha goodness. This Instagram account makes my day, like, everyday.

AND, if you want to follow one more account on Instagram… why don’t you follow, ta-da, @designandculturebyed?

Olympics. Saks Potts SS19

August 12, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

For their spring-summer 2018, Barbara Potts and Catherine Saks clearly wanted to stir away from what Saks Potts is mostly known for: the best-selling faux fur jackets. And they tried hard to surprise. In the beginning, a dance troupe performed in the middle of the stadium, where the collection was presented; then, a model came out, wearing a dramatic white dress in fur. And then, the show really began. The collection was meant to be a nod to the Olympics and everything connected to sport. But the result could have been much better. The designers definitely needed to concentrate more on editing the looks, as in the overall the collection felt simply… messy. Holographic, Lycra ensembles. Duvet jackets with mountain prints. Logomania tights. Too much going on in here. Also, I couldn’t help but note all the elements that seemed to be knocked-off from Area NYC. Their signatures: the big sunglasses, the over-the-top styling, the early 90s glamour. All present at Saks Potts, executed in a very similar way. The best (and certainly the most original) part of the collection was the fur. That lilac coat with a fluffy collar and equally fluffy cuffs is a highlight, just like the ombre teddy bear piece.

Another week, another fashion week. Some Copenhagen designers, like Cecilie Bahnsen, have a clear signature and keep to it. Other, like Ganni, recycle trends. And the other others, like Saks Potts, are established for one thing, but seem to struggle to evolve. Still, the Danish designers are worth watching.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

For The Walkers. Ganni SS19

August 11, 2018August 11, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Indisputably, Ganni made Copenhagen fashion week a thing. Today, Danish designers and brands are nearly as important as the names we know from the four capitals – New York, London, Milan and Paris. Just see how many people you follow on Instagram went to Copenhagen this week! There’s even the Danish it-girls clique, that has a distinct, eclectic look. I mean the most unprecedented (and sometimes simply ridiculous) combinations of floral tea-dress, plastic bags, hair scrunchies and kitschy, vintage mules.

But back to the topic. Ganni’s spring-summer 2019 was the show that every ‘influencer’ went to. This clothing label, founded by wife-and-husband duo Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup, brings an alternative version of Scandinavian style – a ‘no no’ to cold minimalism. Ditte, who is the creative director, likes florals, slip dresses, ruffles and big knits, and tends to balance all those with heavy, off-duty accessories. Shortly, Ganni follows every trend alert, does good styling tricks and keeps it all quite affortable (the price point is slightly below Acne Studios). That’s why I’m on fence with the label’s phenomenon – it’s not as much fashion, as a thoroughly considered image of the so-called ‘Ganni girl’. Spring-summer 2019 wasn’t different in that aspect. Inspired by camping and travelling by foot in overall, Ganni went for bucket hats, sporty outerwear (made in collaboration with 66 North), trekking boots, prairie dresses, dyed denim and camo backpacks. The venue, done under the direction of Ana Kras (you might know her as @teget on Instagram), as well suggested something connected to travelling: cars and boats covered with nylon canvas, and the huge space filled with transport containers. It all worked, and you surely will want to pull off every second look next summer. But somehow, I can’t help, but think of Ganni as of a very Instagrammable and undemanding label.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Prettiness. Cecilie Bahnsen SS19

August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Cloudy. Soft. Fragile. The Beguilded cast’s wardrobe in 2018. Feminine. Light. Should I continue with other phrases and associations I’ve got with Cecilie Bahnsen’s fashion? The designer has just presented her collection during the Copenhagen fashion week and made it clear that no one else does a dress like her (well, except for Molly Goddard). Cecilie likes her silhouettes to be full, but not overwhelming – no dramatic ball gowns here, but rather everyday-princess ensembles to love and wear. Pouf sleeves and peplums are always on Bahnsen’s runway, just like spaghetti straps. For spring-summer 2019, she as well added a bit of florals and the very unexpected dad sandals, which well balanced all that prettiness. At one point of browsing the collection, you might feel that you’re seeing the same dress, just in different modifications. Well, this repetitiveness isn’t to the Danish designer’s disadvantage. There’s consistency flowing from one collection to the other, which is especially valued among emerging designers. Wait, but can we call Bahnsen a classical case of an emerging designer? If only every big brand could boast with so many sold out dresses in every single, major on-line store…

Collages by Edward Kanarecki.

Neo Retro Lady. Saks Potts AW18

February 9, 2018February 9, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Since its runway debut in 2015, Copenhagen-based label Saks Potts has quickly garnered the attention of the street-style stars and trending editors. With a focus on creating timeless, yet bold outerwear, founders Barbara Potts and Cathrine Saks mix colours and textures when designing their statement coats. Their autumn-winter 2018 presentation in New York felt retro edgy, with the new addition of eveningwear, pussy bow dresses and gorgeously looking umbrellas (!). All those pretty pastel combinations are well contrasted with polka-dots and strong shades of green and fuchsia. What I loved about this collection was the slightly cinematic sense of America’s 60s style. I can easily imagine the a woman wearing one of these belted coats down the Bowery back in the past. But as well now, in 2018.