Matthias Louwen
My graduate collection expresses my own approach to fashion and the high regards I have towards high-quality workmanship. Therefore, my collection is based on the fashion of the 50's – an era known for it’s perfection in terms of quality detailing and fitting.
Ode an die Schattenzweige
By Matthias Louwen, Utrecht School of the Arts, Utrecht
My graduate collection expresses my own approach to fashion and the high regards I have towards high-quality workmanship. Therefore, my collection is based on the fashion of the 50's – an era known for it’s perfection in terms of quality detailing and fitting. Every piece of my collection shows the insides of garments; the different kinds of lining, the pockets and seams. The atmosphere is inspired by the contrast and the interplay between nature and architecture, especially nature in wintertime. The title for this collection I took from a poem I wrote after a walk on a cold and sunny winter morning;
Ode an die Schattenzweige
Ein stiller Schatten auf der grauen Wand,
reine Linien, die sich leicht bewegen, zeichnen Leben auf den toten Stein,
so klar, so hart, so grau, so schön.
In den Himmel recken sich knorrige Arme und Finger, filigran doch voller Kraft.
Kalter Wind, ein Hauch von Leben.
Gespanntes Warten voller Ruhe , wenn der Schlaf die ganze Schönheit zeigt.
Aufbruch aus der kalten Erde,
sachte Blüten wachsen hinter harten Mauern,
bringen Leben in die starre Form, die doch nicht ruht.
Photo: Jochen Arndt
Additional information
About Lichting
The concept of ‘Lichting’ is simple: the best academy graduates of one year in 1 central catwalk show. In the audience are the 700 most important people for the next step in their careers: fashion journalists and influential stylists, ready to spot the next big thing; CEO’s and design managers on the look-out for talent; and the all-important players-behind-the-scenes, all eager to see what the nation’s academies have brought forth this year.
