We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Steven van de Rijt about their original and creative Fashion Sculptures design work. Steven van de Rijt is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original fashion sculptures works.
Steven van de Rijt ("SVDR") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Couture Du Jour Fashion Sculptures. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
SVDR : The design is a statement. The inspiration came from my own frustrations with the current fast fashion system. It amazed me that the world's most exclusive brands keep on coming up with bigger collections and more looks to show. And it doesn't stop at more looks, there are also more collections to show with the pre-collections. This really takes a toll on the designers creativity and takes away the exclusivity from the brand. Because it was my graduation I wanted to make a statement against this crazy overworked system and display myself as a designer that wants to slow down this system, we have to enjoy the art of fashion again and take the time to really look at garments.
SVDR : Because I wanted to make a statement, it was important that I would actually make it. There for I had to make some diffecult decisions about silhoutte, movement and presentation. The most important thing I had to achieve was to make it clear to my audience what I was talking about and make them experience it.
SVDR : Most of all exposure by exhibiting in museums, festivals and galleries. Also I want to continue this way of working with sculptures. Not complete collections but maybe every collection one sculpture that represents that collection.
SVDR : This concept took 4,5 months.
SVDR : Because of the concept of the collection I didn't jion the usual fashion show the academy provides for their students. I wanted to distance myself from the regular system and that leaded to making a installation instead of doing the regular show. This was the first time a student did this at the academy so yes, you could say I was pursuing an inspiration.
SVDR : I intent to produce everything myself or my on atelier. Even commercial pieces I would like to keep as close to home as possible.
SVDR : I think it's something that needs to be said and spoken about. It's such a shame that the most exclusive brands in the world have to give in to this system and lose their exclusivity by doing this. It's esspecially a shame because these brands don't even need to do this.
SVDR : Most of all the designers that mean the most to me and inspire me and my work. Also because they, or the houses they work for make them overproduce and lose their creativity by giving into commercialism and functionality.
SVDR : The design has to be a moment of realisation for the fashionworld, its has to inspire young designers to think about new ways of making and presenting couture without following the fast-fashion system, and it has to give the overall audience the experience of fashion and the detailling you won't see on the catwalk. Also by giving the audience all the time they need to look at the pieces they will get a new appreciation for the craft within fashion.
SVDR : This design gives a example for a new way of looking at design and enjoying fashion.
SVDR : It's a refrence to Christiaan Dior, when he started out he wanted to change the way of making and presenting fashion, and after a while the audience started to follow him and give into his New Look. I put the questionmark behind it because I think for a new New Look we need a group of designers to change this current system.
SVDR : The history of couture, collages, sketches and moulage
SVDR : To it's the presentation of the whole collection. Also the absurd poses make the garments really come alive.
SVDR : Because it was my graduation its was all me.
SVDR : I researched the history of couture, modern art and fashion. The duration of fashion. the fast-fashion system. famous designers who leave companies because of the pressure of making so many designs. New designers who distance themselves from the current system.
SVDR : Because it was new for the academy and offcourse for me to present the work like this with the concept behind it, it sometimes felt lonely in the search to what the right ways of moving further were and how to make it happen.
SVDR : I want to expose myself to the international audience.
SVDR : I learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my designs and my vision as a designer. I also learned a lot about learning to transform something personal into a story for everyone. I improved myself by taking good looks at my designs time and time again and make good decisions about what to add and most of all what to take away to get to the core of the concept.
SVDR : The hole experience was an exciting journey with a lot off thinking things over and experimenting with materials, fabric and poses.
