On the occasion of the upcoming Berlin Fashion Week our friends from Style.de met our co-founder Cathy Boom for an interview and chatted about her fashion week must-haves etc. Read her replies here (only in German).
Also, The renowned German online magazine ArtSchoolVets featured our latest project “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN” - a cooperation including a track, three photos and a video which were created by two of our friends, the composer and music producer Robot Koch and the photographer Sabrina Theissen. Together they took a look at the topic of sight, which IWISHUSUN has dedicated its work to. Head over to ArtSchoolVets to read the entire article (only in German).
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The fashion crowds may have left Berlin, but here’s a look back at the best looks of Spring/Summer 2014, designed by IWISHUSUN ambassadors Leyla Piedayesh of lala Berlin, Vladimir Karaleev and Hien Le.
Palm prints in white-orange, more detailed patterns but also long silk summer coats, silk shorts and shirts and experimental, almost sculptural knitted jumpers determine lala Berlin‘s Spring/Summer 2014 Collection. We fell in love with the interplay of soft silhouettes and the collection’s tropical inspiration.
It’s all about silk and drapery – and, from now on, about denim too. For his Spring/Summer 2014 Collection Vladimir Karaleev added denim to his choices of material to aspire to a higher level in the matter of material experiments. White, beige and light brown on the one hand, blue tones on the other hand – the Berlin-based designer mixed reserved colouring and strong colour tones. Well done, Vladimir!
Placing emphasis on monochrome looks, Hien Le persuaded the fashion crowd that crystal-clear purism and high-quality materials are enough to get inspired, to enthuse and finally to convince us. Strong colors such as orange and red were alternated with bright colours, solely “interrupted” by a fanastic dragonfly print which was featured on several dress, shirts and jackets.
We are happy that we found supporters in Leyla, Vladimir and Hien – check out their interviews here.
All pictures: © Mercedes-Benz Fashion.
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Hien Le
Designer – Berlin
Hien Le might have marked summer 2010 as a relevant turning point in his career and path of life: during Berlin Fashion Week 2010 the Berlin based designer launched his own fashion label which was immediately received very well by retail and the international fashion press. One year later he won the third prize of the fashion contest “Start Your Fashion Business,” making his first runway debut and has been nominated as “Best Newcomer” by the international fashion trade magazine Sportswear International.
His designs are clear and simple but never run the risk of being boring – Hien Le formulates crystal-clear purism and sets value on high-qulity materials. He concentrates on discreet cuts and the subtle application of details. As a trained tailor Hien Le consequently maintains his claim to manufacture clothing that combines diligent design with accurate workmanship; everything produced in Germany. We could not imagine Berlin Fashion Week without Hien Le and we are very happy to welcome him as a friend!
Which of the senses are more important, sight or hearing? And why?
Both are very important, but because I am a very visual person, in this case I would go for sight.
You’re a creative person. What vision motivates you in your work?
My daily life; I live and love what I do… otherwise I couldn’t do it. The aim of seeing the collection completed, and all together, is what motivates me. I always look forward to the development and the collection process as a whole.
Where do you get the inspiration for your collections?
That differs from one collection to the next, but it is usually the daily things that surround me all the time…that could be music, art, architecture or film. I find cities and the people who live in them are always very inspiring.
How important are materials for you? What do they mean to you and where do you get them?
Materials are obviously very important for what I do. My collections are very reduced; many details are only noticeable on closer inspection. Colours and materials are what define the collection. I am a very tactile person myself and so I only use materials that I would wear myself or which feel good to the touch. Above all it’s important that they are produced under fair trade conditions. Until now I have only ordered textiles from Europe, mostly from Switzerland and Italy, and for this season for the first time cloth from Australia. I buy all my textiles at trade fairs.
Over the last few seasons the focus of your collections was on monochrome looks. The sharp silhouettes and the feel for high quality materials have remained, but for Spring/Summer 2013 the theme was flamingos and for the Autumn/Winter 2013 collection you introduced striking colour fusions, inspired by Mark Rothko, which both brought colour into your collections. How important is the visual impact that expresses for you and your work?
They are very important. Because everything is very minimal, monochrome and reduced; and one often sees the details only on closer inspection, as I already mentioned. So I can create major impact by relatively simple means, like with the last prints of the two most recent collections. That gives the collection more tension and breaks up the complete monochrome look, whilst still remaining true to my style. Being quite minimalist is an advantage in the sense that I am able to constantly expand on it and introduce new elements without completely transforming it, but remaining within the recognisable “Hien le” signature style.
And privately? What do you prefer? Eye-catchers or more restrained clothing?
More restrained.
What is your tactic for improving the world?
Living in a conscious way; taking pleasure in and valuing the gifts nature has given us. When it comes to my job, I always try to ensure that everything is made under fair trade conditions, whether in the production or the manufacture of the textiles I order.
Who is your personal hero?
My grandfather.
What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?
There have been so many beautiful things, but the most recent was a sunset on Bali.
Sunset or sunrise?
Sunrise.
Picture: Micki Rosi Richter.
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Let’s do something good… true to the motto of IWISHUSUN, “It’s good for you and good for others,” on 3 July 2013 we invited everyone to a brunch at SOTO Store, serving a healthy breakfast of smoothies, scones & co to celebrate the launch of the limited edition collaboration T-shirts by Marcelo Burlon – County of Milan and IWISHSUN. From 10am the two T-shirt designs with their remarkable owl print were shown for the very first time in public whilst Marcelo himself ensured good vibes from the DJ booth.
Taken from his Autumn/Winter collection 2013/14, Marcelo Burlon has designed an exclusive colourway for IWISHUSUN: a limited edition T-shirt adorned by an abstract owl on the front, which also gives an insight into his upcoming collection – the perfect animal to symbolise our mission to ensure eyesight for everyone.
You can now buy your own Marcelo Burlon x IWISHUSUN T-shirt on iwishusun.net. With every T-shirt sold, in cooperation with our partner ORBIS, a cataract eye operation will be financed in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Thank you everyone for coming and turning this event into a wonderful experience!
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Thanks to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin Magazine for this nice article about our collaboration with Marcelo Burlon!
Join the launch brunch on Wednesday if you are in Berlin:
Brunch
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Let’s tuck into some healthy food, smoothies, coffee and beer together.
Music by Marcelo Burlon.
Come by for a boost and support a good cause!
10 AM – 1 PM
SOTO Store, Torstrasse 72, 10119 Berlin
Please RSVP at jana@iwishusun.net
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Cathy Boom & IWISHUSUN Team
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Vladimir Karaleev
Designer – Berlin
Vladimir Karaleev is without a doubt one of the most promising names at Berlin Fashion Week. From year to year we watch as he continues to develop, whilst remaining true to himself at the same time: clearly contoured experimental cuts and open hems, asymmetry and drapery, silk and wool dominate his collections, which are strongly influenced by the aesthetic of contemporary art. While his minimalistic styles are distinctive, the Bulgarian designer Karaleev, who is based in Berlin and founded his own fashion label in 2006, never gets tired of experimenting – and we hope he keeps on keeping on!
We are true fans of his designs but Vladimir Karaleev also supports IWISHUSUN. Welcome him as a friend!
What is more important to you, the sense of taste or sight?
It is hard to compare; both are interconnected. What is sight without taste, and taste is somehow based on sight. Both are very important I guess!
You are a creative person. What is your vision for your personal work?
A permanent quest for new ideas through experimentation.
Most of your designs are based on flowing cloth and asymmetry – is this decision a question of visual aesthetic or of emotion? How important is the visual power of your designs?
I think every designer finds their own way of expressing their visual language. I guess mine is based on sometimes less conventional techniques (the starting point of which can sometimes be a very basic pattern). I found it very hard to find a good balance within asymmetrical forms (if you think mathematically, there is no true balance in asymmetry, so you have to somehow compensate aesthetically). I am not really into prints; for me the perfect shape is a precise interplay between fabric, volume and colour: if they can get together without too much of a fight, then you’ve got it!
Silk is probably your most frequently used fabric. How important is the choice of material for you, and what does a fabric like silk transmit from your point of view?
I don’t confine myself to any one fabric. Sometimes silk gives me what I want, in order to achieve the shape I want, but my fabric of choice is wool. I love heavy falling wool crepe. And I mean, fabric is everything, it does transmit and carry the whole structure and shape.
Where do you source your fabrics from?
Mostly Europe, but you never know where they import their fabrics from. I must say, Europeans are not always the best partners, at least compared to Asia, where they have a much better work ethic.
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
It’s important to take social responsibility and I try to take part in various causes that are close to my heart. Sometimes I feel bad because I don’t have more time, since our world is full of problems. As an entrepreneur I try to be as environmentally friendly as possible, to make my products sustainable without wasting too many resources - I do worry about that. Giving back is not a one-time act; it has to be a way of life and if more people lived that way, it would be much easier to solve many of our problems…
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
I don’t know. I am not impressed by “beautiful”.
What would you like to see more often?
Understanding between people, tolerance, people listening to each other. In general, we are the problem and the solution: but currently it seems we have too many problems, and I’d like to see more solutions.
Sunrise or sunset – which do you prefer?
Sunrise, it’s a new day.
Pic: Dirk Merten.
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IWISHUSUN presents the first collaboration: we put together some limited edition T-shirts with Marcelo Burlon. The T-shirts with catchy owl prints certainly have the stuff to become rare collector’s items, but the sale will also help us continue our successful cooperation with our partner ORBIS and keep on financing cataract eye operations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Taken from his Autumn/Winter collection 2013/14, Marcelo Burlon has designed an exclusive colourway for IWISHUSUN: a limited edition T-shirt that will be released during Berlin Fashion Week. The T-shirts will be available from 3 July 2013 exclusively on iwishusun.net.
To celebrate the upcoming release of the T-Shirts, we invite you to the launch brunch of our limited T-Shirt collection in collaboration with Marcelo Burlon – County of Milan at SOTO Store on 3 July 2013.
Brunch
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Let’s tuck into some healthy food, smoothies, coffee and beer together.
Music by Marcelo Burlon.
Come by for a boost and support a good cause!
10 AM – 1 PM
SOTO Store, Torstrasse 72, 10119 Berlin
Please RSVP until 28 June 2013 at jana@iwishusun.net
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Cathy Boom & IWISHUSUN Team
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