I’ve just stumbled upon German fashion designer Frank Leder. Not only do I like his simple, straight forward designs but more so the themes he explores in his collections and look books. Germany, German culture, traditions and heritage such as coal miners, butchers, student fraternities and the rural countryside are clearly the central motives of his work.
I do find a lot of irony in his pictures, which are often caricatures of the German stereotype. I love the way he explores his themes, but I am sure his imagery, which evolves heavily around tradition and slighly right-wing ideologies, is a huge turn off for many Germans who won’t know what to make of it. Not surprisingly then that Leder is much more successful in Japan than his native country.
pictures:leder-inagaki.com
Categories: designers I like
Tagged: Frank Leder, German fashion designer, German stereotypes
I religiously buy German fashion mag j’n'c for their excellent illustration based fashion spreads. Unfortunately, to me, their articles and many of their features are not quite on the same level as their illustrations yet, I always feel its origins as a trade magazine shine though too much (j’n'c stands for ‘jeans and casuals’). However, as far as I know, they are only on their fourth issue and things are improving each time.
Their current issue has two amazing illustrated spreads, one quite surreal and dreamy, a bit Kafka meets Frida Kahlo. The other is more edgy, raw, very Egon Schiele.
Les fabuleuese histoires des robes extraordinaires by Olaf Hajek
Jaded by Vanessa Paulzen
pictures:j’n'c’-net.de
Categories: magazines
Tagged: German fashion magazine, illustrations, j'n'c
