For the Love of Textiles

Last Thursday we went with 2 classes to the -just opened- exhibition "Jeans" at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht . Jeans...my favourite pair of trousers..which I wear almost every day. I had many different one's over the years, but now my favourite ones are the basic jeans from COS..with a perfect fit and they match with everything. The exhibition tells the story from the beginning this -all over the world worn- fabric.. You walk among all different interpretations of the Blue Jeans World.. From Workwear till Streetwear.. From Experiment till Couture.... There is a stunning old Japanese kimono at the beginning, dyed with Natural Indigo.. Leftover fragments of worn out jeans.. Funny little dolls...by Lee.. Couture Dresses.. this one is by Jan Taminiau Jeans "sewn" together with glue.. Glue Jeans .. Great Men's shoes..those ones are by Dries van Noten .. Jeans Couture by Vivienne Westwood .. ...

Yesterday the postman delivered a rather special book. It is a book with a collection of 556 sweaters knitted by Loes Veenstra between 1955 and 2012. All sweaters were stored in boxes and never worn. The author Christien Meindertsma has made this book as part of an Art project for the Rotterdam Museum. I came across this book because of THIS video which was placed on the net. All those different people, different ages wearing her sweater. How nice to see everything worn for the first time.. I got very curiuous, because I liked the video and the work from Christien Meindertsma but..why on earth did this woman knit this amazing amount of sweaters for putting them in boxes?? The first thing I noticed was the cover of the book. In this paper hints of fibers used from 9 sweaters who were found damaged. It is a thick book with a little story told by Loes, and the rest is filled with pictures from all 556 sweaters. Nr.1. Till Nr. 556.  And all ...

A few months ago it was a big surprise for me to read that H&M would do a collection with guest designer Martin Margiela. I never buy anything for myself at H&M.  Don't like the quality and the fitting is not good for me either. I am more a COS man  (the better and bit more expensive range from H&M) But..the collaboration between Margiela and H&M could be different I thought. Lookbooks were placed on the Web... And Yes... I got a good feeling.. That Coat perhaps... That shirt.. A Sweater.. The collection was launched a few weeks ago.. While in the The Hague to see the 50's exhibition we had some spare time to go and to H&M. First impression at the Ladies department..What a mess... but great outfits.. Male department..Hardly anything.. I tried on this coat ....but could hardly get into the sleeves due to the fact that there was no lining.. Pity..because I liked the look.. Next..on the hunt for that Big Blue Sweater.. Sold Ou...