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contributors Björn Giesbrecht, Jamal Musa, Antonia Vonnahme @ Modelwerk, Anastasia Solodovnikova, Natalia Zemliakova, Ksenia Girya, Anna Chiz @ Andy Fiord, Joshua Pestka, Josh Lau, Joy Fennell for MAC Cosmetics, Daven Mayeda for Schwarzkopf, Jacqueline Saulsbery for Zoya AOB, Manuela @ Wilhelmina, Liam Canning, Carlo Fernandez, Kristen Ashton, Jade Morgan @ Viviens Model Management, Whalen Bryce, Donald Hicks, Victor
Noble, Sidney @ Muse Models NY, Shannon Lawrence, Isobel Badin, Suzy Wooton @ Priscillas Models, Will and Joan, Luxy Kitcher, Adrien Kick, Ines Lp @ VIP models, Kristina Klekmane, Sophie Costello at Pantomime Photography, Alysha Maree, Belinda Vangelov, Carolin S @ Priscillas, Shaun Rogan, Andrea Dematte, Michelle Harue, Mychelle Pavão, Fernanda Chaves @ Ford Models Brasil, Isabelle Amarger, BeSociety Brasil, Tina Chang, Jessica Clark, Nickol Walkemeyer
Makeup, Nicole Abt & Kendall Shea @ Mode Models International, Emily Phung & Elizabeth Bernardin, Pedersen Studio, Daria Modin, Danny Reinke, Stefanie Mildner, Gesche Amelie @ Funtastixx Models, Bjˆrn No, Laura GRuiz, Isis Rodríguez López, Frida Palsson, Sandra T. @ Blow Models, Jacob LaBarbera, Belinda Anidjar, Shannon Phelps
Volume 4; Issue 3; MAy/Jun 2015
features amelie bahlsen When Graphic Art Meets Fashion: The talented German designer opens up about the style & inspirations behind her latest collection ‘Liquid Boxes’
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Trend alert: Midriff madness
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Crop tops are the biggest craze of the spring and summer seasons, as displayed by designers such as Donna Karan, Alexander Wang, Milly, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. Find out how to get in on the hottest trend of SS15!
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heegui
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Illustration by António Soares
TREND ALERT: gingham style Summer is here and Gingham is the hottest print of the season! And apparently, based on the SS15 runways, designers like Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, Altuzarra and Diane von Furstenberg agree!
Edit or’sNote
The Chic Approach to Simplistic Detailing: This Korean dynamic design duo is fresh to the fashion scene and ready to make their mark in both menswear & womenswear!
on the cover CREDITS: Photographers: Will and Joan, Makeup Artist: Luxy Kitcher, Hair Stylist: Adrien Kick, Model: Ines Lp @ VIP models, Digital Artist: Kristiana Klekmane
Welcome to our Color Pop issue! Summer is upon us and it’s time to add a splash of color to our wardrobes. Bold hues and playful prints can instantly spruce up any look. If you’re seeking a bit of guidance on how to style your vibrant summer faves, look no further! Our colorful photography spreads offer endless outfit inspiration & beauty ideas! Enjoy!!!
- Shannon Phelps
art graphic artist, part designer, Amelie Bahlsen was born with the Midas touch when it comes to her creative endeavors. With a Masters of Fine Arts in Fashion Design & Society from New York City’s Parsons The New School for Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from Berlin, Bahlsen was perfectly equipped for the future she had in store for herself. Though her career as a fashion designer is still in its early stages, her talent is undeniable. Her unique vision, inspired by experimental pattern construction and a deep fascination with perspective, has propelled her into the fashion industry by captivating anyone who catches a glimpse of her collections. Ever since high school, Bahlsen has known that she wanted to become a fashion designer. As a teenager, she enjoyed watching fashion shows, but admits that she never envisioned herself as a model. Instead, she decided to enter this world through design, and, as the cliché goes, the rest was history. “Growing up in Northern Germany definitely influenced me as a designer,” she says. “Being close to Scandinavia, I learned to appreciate the clean, subtle and quiet design aesthetic. Those attributes still excite and inspire me but I mix them in my work, usually with more color, and try not to design things that feel so distant and clean that they become unapproachable.”
After growing up in Germany, the designer admits that her move to New York in pursuit of her education was one of the most difficult decisions she’s ever had to make. Though this was one of her greatest challenges, the designer says that it was also one of her best decisions. As one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York is the city of dreams for any aspiring designer. But according to Bahlsen, fashion remains important in Germany, as well, and the mere word “fashion” has always been infused with meaning. “The word ‘fashion’ was the German word ‘mode’,” she explains. “For me, it describes a certain side of clothing that is more trend and innovation driven. It has lost quite a bit of meaning because everything can be called ‘fashion’ now, but for lack of a better word, I’m still using it. Maybe I should bring the word ‘mode’ to the States,” she jokes. According to the designer, Berlin is a hub for fashion, art, culture, and music. When asked to describe German street style, Bahlsen mirrored it with her own understated wardrobe. “I would describe it as casual understatement. People are very well dressed and take time for that but still aim for effortless,” she says.
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My favorite part is creating something beautiful that I can see and touch. It is very satisfying seeing your ideas come to life.
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As for her own wardrobe, she admits that she’s not one to attract attention, but still incorporates pattern and color into her looks. These playful elements that tease the eye are also included in her master collection. In her most recent collection, “Liquid Boxes”, the designer took the concepts of three dimensionality and perspective and translated them into clothing. Fascinated by the way that shapes fall onto the body, Bahlsen created over-dresses with a pattern construction based on cubes and boxes. “To emphasize the depth and the different shades of white, I added a printed under-dress,” she describes. “The prints are made by ink and food coloring dropped in water and contrast the straight and graphic elements of the white ‘box’ dresses nicely.” By aiming to surprise people with things she deems they will instantly love and connect to, such as the unusual juxtapositions in her designs, Bahlsen has managed to set herself apart in a vast landscape of talented designers. Her design aesthetic is largely influenced by her interest in architecture and conceptual art. Deriving inspiration and collecting ideas wherever she goes, Bahlsen is constantly in a state of fascination with the world around her and her artistic eye is what gives her a creative upper hand. “My research process begins very abstract, with ideas and concepts that don’t necessarily connect to fashion,” she says. “I accumulate in this process a whole body of work that then gets distilled down to the essence that will inspire and shape clothing.”
strong vision and passion for the creative process constantly motivate her to bring her designs to life. “Seeing your designs and ideas come to life makes the hard parts easier to endure,” she says. “My favorite part is creating something beautiful that I can see and touch. It is very satisfying seeing your ideas come to life. My least favorite are the days where nothing is working.”
When she isn’t designing, Bahlsen gets her inspiration from another art form that occupies her spare time: cooking. Though it differs from design, the two are very much intertwined in her day-to-day life.
According to Bahlsen, fashion design is often perceived as one of the most glamorous career paths, but in fact, it is very hard work. “In my opinion, fashion can be perceived as glamorous and superficial,” she says. The fashion show I think is the most glamorous part and the rest is hard work with very long hours.”
“I love cooking. I learned it from my mother and the process reminds me of designing because I rely on my creativity to create something delicious. The colors, textures, smells, and tastes make it such an interesting and exciting process for me,” she says.
When push comes to shove, it all comes down to long hours and strenuous work, but with the right amount of motivation, the final product is immensely gratifying. Bahlsen’s advice to aspiring designers? Don’t hurry, don’t worry, stay calm, and trust the process.
When contemplating the future of her brand, she still perceives it as a small label, but projects many artistic collaborations. Her
When the advice sounds that poetic, you know you can trust it.
All images courtesy of the Amelie Bahlsen SS15 lookbook - Photo Credits - Photographer: Anna Morgovicz, Makeup Artist: Allie Smith, Model: Cait Driscoll
HEEGUI The Chic Approach To Simplistic Detailing by Jacob LaBarbera
he ability to emulate unique features within a simplistic piece is no easy task, yet it is one that designers Heejin Jeon and Guyhyun Jee have mastered. Showing their raw talent for design throughout the notable brand known as HEEGUI, the pair of designers tackle both menswear and womenswear. Freshly launched at the beginning of this year, the brand is rapidly growing and gaining the interest of fashion lovers around the globe. Growing up in South Korea, both Heejin and Guyhyun developed a love for fashion at a very young age. “I don’t know why, but I have never dreamed of being anything other than a fashion designer. When I was a child, I seemed to always be interested in wearing the finer clothing and seeing pieces that were different from the rest,” Heejin said. Guyhyun had a similar approach to fashion, with school experiences sparking his interest, early on. “When I first entered middle school, I started to go shopping with my friends. I loved the freedom of shopping with my peers and really started to create my own personal style.” Since discovering their passion, Heejin and Guyhyun began studying menswear and wo-
menswear at the London College of Fashion. It was there that they truly mastered their crafts and learned the necessary skills to becoming the talented designers they are today. “We not only learned all of the aspects of design, we also learned the importance of creating a collection, and how all of your pieces should flow together.” Attending a prestigious school like the London College of Fashion, Heejin and Guyhyun are no strangers to the vast variety of fabrics and all that they have to offer. The proper use of fabrics can pull a collection together, while separating it from the competition -- and this design duo knows just what materials work best! “My favorite fabric is leather. It is strong and durable but still subtle and beautiful,” Heejin says. Guyhyun, on the other hand, has a strong preference for wool. “It is always my first selection in designing and creating apparel.”
In fact, being able to use wool is what categorizes winter as Guyhyun’s favorite season to design for. Heejin has a different take on seasons, as he loves designing for spring and summer. The varied interests and different tastes between the two designers is what makes their brand so unique and strong. HEEGUI’s SS15 line is one that boasts minimalism, while representing a confident and secure attitude. Each piece is constructed with only one thing in mind: the consumer. Both Heejin and Guyhyun know exactly what their customer wants, and they deliver just that, every time The current line incorporates colors such as imperial blue, evergreen, and of course, black and white. They represent a powerful statement with a subtle approach. Most items throughout the collection are a solid monotone color with a pop of a vibrant red, blue, or yellow. The pop of color is often unexpected and makes each physical piece unique. The overall aesthetic for the current collection is one that draws many people in, and is one that has consumers asking to see more! When designing a line with the chic simplicity of their latest one, inspiration plays a key role in the process. Heejin states that his design inspirations always comes effortlessly to him: “It is quite difficult to force ideas upon oneself. Ideas should naturally arise, and when they do you will know.”Guyhyun says his inspiration usually comes from the people he is surrounded by on a daily basis. Using “nature, people [and] relationships” as inspirations, it is clear that both Heejin and Guyhyun are visual people, who pay immense attention to detail. Today, Heejin and Guyhyun have created many unique pieces with interesting qualities. In reference to their favorite pieces they’ve designed, Heejin states: “I love a few of the Graduate pieces made with tyvek (paper fabric). I love tyvek as a fabric and if I have a chance, I would love to use it again within a different collection that harbors more development and design skills.“ Guyhyun sites a coat he created for their Graduate Collection as his favorite piece. “I experimented with different design concepts, and it came out very well made. It had great color detail, and was an overall a great piece to have in my collection,” he says. Being an innovative and talented designer certainly has its perks. One of the most rewarding experiences for Heejin is seeing his drawings come to life. Even better is having people wear their creations. Guyhyun notes, “I love seeing people who wear my clothing. Each piece takes a lot of time to create, so it is very fulfilling when people have respect for
what we make.” The talented design duo has big plans for their future and would like to expand into the global market. “We hope the brand will reach as many as people in the world as possible and we hope to sell our clothing to them in major fashion cities, like London, Paris and New York.” With a great amount of raw talent and a keen eye for detail, both Heejin and Guyhyun are sure to see the growth that they long for. Their brand is one that has a unique take on the use of colors and fabrics, which a why so many people are currently loving their latest collection. Heejin and Guyhyun are sure to succeed in anything they put their minds to, and HEEGUI will surly see immense growth within the next few years.