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OCTOBER 15, 2015
VALERIE MOSER ON FASHION, PRACTICALITY, CREATIVITY & VALERIE MOSER DESIGNS
“
“Less is best” – Ines de la Fressange
”
The term ‘practical fashion’ might seem antithetical, yet strangely enough is not. Last year, for example, was the ‘Age of the ‘Normcore’, as I think we all know. For those who do not, one can describe it as a somewhat philosophical move away from the financial constraints of increasingly costly fashion to a more ‘budget-friendly’ approach to how we define style. Suddenly, expensive brand names were ‘out’ and high street labels ‘in’. Once again, it became cool to wear Gap and American Apparel in the U.S., even by those who could afford to buy the very best. For some reason however, the Normcore trend did not last very long. Not that the idea itself lacked any merit. To the contrary, it was a very sensible and logical idea, given the continuing rising cost of high fashion, its increasing inter-changeability, and constantly revolving of past trends. Fashion, in other words, is an extremely expensive and impractical habit that most of us simply cannot afford. Furthermore, being ‘fashionable’ does always mean being stylish, as well all too often tend to forget. As Yves Saint Laurent himself once so famously said, style is eternal, while fashions soon fade away. In this, most French women have it right. Buy classics that will carry you through any trend and any age. Use accessories to personalize and, most importantly, remember ‘less is best’, in the words of Ines de la Fressange.
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“
“She slept with wolves without fear, for the wolves knew a lion was among
them.” – R.M. Drake
”
Take the work of young and new rising talents like the Greek Graphic Artist turned handbag designer, Valerie Moser. Moser’s clutches, beach totes and sarongs are not only practical and chic, but also a statement that somehow empowers the knowing and knowledgeable women who buy them. Take her bags, for instance. Each one comes with one of her own drawings, a personalized design and unique saying that is meant to both inspire and remind the women who bear it what truly glorious and amazing creatures they are. “I am in charge of how I feel and today I am choosing happiness”, states one, if that realization is what you might need. Or “I’m not telling you it is going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it”, you may wish to remind your lover. “Keep moving forward” and “We are all a little broken and that’s okay” something we should all remember as well. Not only because it is so true, but because it is something no one also wants to admit, even to themselves. Moser’s creations are, in other words, for the modern woman who likes to set trends, not follow them. The one prefers to be defined by her achievements rather than the brand name she wears.
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Valerie Moser on Fashion, Practicality, Creativity & Valerie Moser Designs On Fashion Fashion-wise, I would characterize myself as casual and elegant. I like simple forms with a twist and believe nothing beats a great pair of jeans topped with a gorgeous white shirt and a beautifully cut leather jacket. It’s an interesting and very personal balance that every woman has to choose for herself. Fashion calls for constant renewal, a creative work of cycles, a connection to seasons, colors, shapes and fabrics and allows endless personal expression and creative freedom. You can reinvent yourself, for example, learn to be daring through it, set your own limits, design and build your own universe, and communicate your personality freely by taking it exactly where you want with no restraints. Fashion is where personal style comes alive through a palette of endless possibilities. On Practicality
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The way I see it, as we move through life, we learn to view matters from a different, perhaps wiser perspective and appreciate fashion for the simple reason that we are drawn to another’s vision or creation while simultaneously seeing ourselves through it. So long as you can carry a fashion item that somehow enhance s you, makes you feel more beautiful, assertive and empowers you, but also allows you to play with colors, shapes, an on-going exercise of combining various materials and creating a style that; a seasonal fest that opens your mind to so many different cultures, craftsmanship, patterns and personal expressions. Each culture carries its own unique heritage that we can mesh or adapt to our own style. On Creativity
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Creativity has always been present in my life. Initially, it was shaped into a graphic design path out of a true love for typography, composition and advertising, which was and still is a very creatively rewarding choice. Yet a need to use my hands and to experiment with different materials and to explore and creatively explode in a different fashion, that is what has been boiling inside me. I began sketching at first, which then became the launch pad for my later designs. It was a trip to Bali, however, that acted as the true catalyst. The shapes, colours, architecture, feel, warmth, and intricate stylized designs struck a chord within me and gave me the release I needed. And, when I finally did take that first step, it was a revelation. As a designer, I feel as if am on an investigative journey where applied arts meet freehand sketching and personal expression takes a stand and all these wonderfully creative elements meet on this new platform called fashion. Thus, in a way, it was an evolutionary step. Not a ‘dormant’ calling but rather more of a medium or new platform through which I could express myself more freely. Graphic design, however, still has an essential presence in my bags. In particular, it has added a third dimension and allowed my 2D designs to “come to life” through the accessories that I love. On Design
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My mixed background (half-French and half-Greek) as well as my love for art and aesthetics – be it a book cover, scarf, necklace – and the exposure to a wide range of visuals during my travels have also helped. Everything that I absorbed over time and experience somehow unconsciously, then seem to surface and become manifested once again in my work. Happily enough, the ideas have come quite easily and naturally to me this past year. So, what interests me more now and the future is to extend that creativity in a manner that is more profound. My wish is to go beyond the borders of mere design and, through the combination of differing materials, unusual colours, unique shapes and ‘clean’ lines, produce creations that lend its wearer a unique, innate sense of elegance and style. Each piece that I make by hand must also speak to me and be something unpretentious that I myself would use. That was the principle thought behind my latest initiative, the summer 2015 collection. On Valerie Moser Creations
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My first hand-painted sarong was designed and created while in Bali and the summer clutches soon followed upon my return to Greece. Then when it became winter, I began to experiment with leather. And this year, I’ve been exploring the use of different fabrics, such as burlap and printed canvas and new techniques like embroidery. As to my approach to design, I choose to have fun. The way I have gone about it when I have an idea for a bag is to keep the shape simple while adding features that make it stand out, be that the concept behind it, the quote, the combination of fabrics or simply the feel of it. Practicality, or rather utility, is important as well. The timeless large tote, for example, is a necessity for every woman and has to be large enough to fit all of her essentials. An evening clutch is just as essential as well: small enough not to over-power her outfit, yet big enough to fit her essentials and bold enough to make a statement as an accessory. On Inspiration
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The beauty of any creative work is the freedom from answering to any specific demands except one’s own. Being an artist means we get to set our own limits, create our own universe and communicate our sensitivity, which is priceless to me. The quotes, for example, were not meant to be a message or a source of empowerment and inspiration for women at first. They were simply statements that by which I myself had been touched and thus wanted to share. In the same vein, neither did I have a specific woman in mind. Whether carried by a 20-year old ‘It’ girl or a more mature, assertive woman, the only difference is the manner in which they understand and ‘connect’ to its meaning. It was rather a taste of that freedom that I wanted to communicate, share and provide: a sense of limitless possibilities, of enjoyment and the idea that, as we only get to live once, we might as well make it great.
“
Elianna K.
Moser Fans On Moser Designs
”
Valerie’s creations are a testament to the fact that fashion is indeed art. Inspired by her paintings and sketches, her travels, her quests for special fabrics around the globe, each piece she designs is truly unique. Each tells a story, which comes alive through the prints, hand picked materials, mantras to live-by and their edgy twist. Valerie’s clutches and bags are effortlessly chic and stylish, yet at the same time practical and timeless, while her sarongs make one dream of summers in Greece. Iris V. With well-defined, clean lines, Valerie Moser’s collection sits very as comfortably along the coast of the Aegean Sea as it does in the Balinese forest or the gritty streets of East London. Every illustration is taken from her personal art collection and given the depth, dimension and texture that allows them to become tangible enough to hold in one’s hands. Nathalie B. Valerie Moser’s strength is her authenticity and this is reflected in her work as well. Like the woman herself, her designs are simple, elegant, authentic and strong. It speaks to us all! Isabelle M. Moser creations are colourful, insightful, conceptual and artistic, while at the same time pragmatic. Mahi P. Each of Moser’s creations has its own creative personality and unique character, just like their designerGuita G-
For me, Valerie Moser designs are understated and simple, elegant and stylish, yet at the same time with an aesthetically appealing statement that is sexy, daring and has just that right touch of rock & roll. Share this:
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