The interminably long winter seems to be receding. The sun is out and the morale is on the rise. Oh so we hope. At least, there is no shortage of good news.

At the backdrop of the Dutch government’s announcement of postponement of austerity measures   and the orange wave of enthusiasm washing over the country in the countdown to the investiture of the new King, the Rijksmuseum, the national pride of the Netherlands, opened to public after more than ten years of restoration works.

Befitting the grandeur of the occasion it is Queen Beatrix (her last official engagement before stepping down) that turned the golden key to symbolically re-open the museum to the sound of fanfare and explosion of orange fireworks.

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No Comments | In: art, fashion, marketing, Travel | tags: Amsterdam, De Bijenkorf, fashion, LaDress, Night Watch, NL, Old masters, Queen Beatrix, Rijksmuseum. | #

Courtesy DenHaag FM

The retail landscape in The Hague is a charming store richer. Sjaak Hullekes menswear is now officially open in Denneweg. What started as a temporary outlet for the Residence de la Mode last December is now  a full-fledged boutique with a complete range including separates, suits, underwear and some accessories.

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No Comments | In: fashion, shopping, The Hague, Travel | tags: Denneweg, fashion, NL, Shopping, Sjaak Hullekes, Sjaak Hullekes menswear store, The Hague, The Hague Creative City. | #

You bet! It is not just  peace, justice, politics and diplomacy here. There are many other facets to The Hague.

The Hague international city. The Hague creative city. The Hague fashion city…

And now The Hague film city. City’s marketing department is simply spewing out ideas. All in an effort to change the perception that The Hague is a boring city of civil servants and bureaucrats where nothing happens.

Local authorities are rolling out red carpet  to film directors and producers. Not only are they welcomed with open embrace, they benefit from  fast and easy filming permits procedures and all logistical support. A special film commissioner appointed in 2010 makes sure that there no hiccups in the process.

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No Comments | In: art, fashion, The Hague, Travel | tags: fashion, Indian Film Fetsival, Movies That Matter Film Festival, The Hague, The Hague Creative City, The Hague Film City. | #

The exhibition is as optimistic as the man himself. Beautifully curated  it unfolds the story of the designer’s universe as you move from room to room. Of course, the striped jersey in its countless reincarnations, mermaids and Madonnas

The corset and the mysterious women of Place Pigalle

The punks and men in skirts

And aslo his imaginative interpretation of cultural dress

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gauthier is cheeky, irreverent, provocative.

Erotically charged, yet playful

Borderline kitch

At times freaky

Highly imaginative  and upbeat

And technically executed to perfection. The workmanship of the atelier is simply mind boggling

I walked away inspired and energised. Impressed by the lifelike presence of the mannequins that speak, move their eyes, at times almost flirt with you thanks to ingenious light projection.

Simply a must see exhibition. It is on till the 12th of May

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3 Comments | In: design, fashion, Travel | tags: fashion, Fashion Exhibition, Fashion World of Jean Paul Gauthier, Jean Paul Gauthier, Rotterdam. | #

At the backdrop of the news that the fallen fashion idol John Galliano is stripped of Legion d’Honneur for his antisemitic rant the interview with Alber Elbaz, creative director of  Lanvin, by Julia Reed published in the WSJ is a refreshing read.

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Though fashion is on the never ending quest for the new and the original, it always looks into the past for inspiration. And it is more than apparent as you walk through the exhibition currently on show at the MoMu fashion Museum in Antwerpen.

Featuring garments and accessories from the historic clothing collection of Jacoba de Jonge, a Dutch private collector, the exhibition presents clothing worn by the middle-class women between 1750 and 1950 on different occasions — lounging at home in the morning, travelling, horse-riding, going to a ball masque. There is an interesting section focusing on pregnancy wear.

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No Comments | In: design, fashion, Travel | tags: Living Fashion @ MoMu, MoMu Antwerpen. | #

In the company of the fashion heavy weights like Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani  who designed for their respective country teams for the London Olympics 2012, the Dutch label Suit Supply is a novice.

But it is the Suit Supply that created official uniforms  for the Dutch squad and judging by the styles we saw yesterday at the opening ceremony they got it right. The colour palette is patriotic but not overbearing; the lines are crisp and elegant, and the blue dresses under orange trenches for the female athletes looked chic and classy.

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No Comments | In: fashion, marketing | tags: Dutch Olympic Team Uniform, London Olympics 2012, Olympians uniforms, Opening Ceremony London Olympics, Suit Supply. | #

Shu Uemura a make up and cosmetics brand founded by Shu Uemura in the fifties in Hollywood is known for its extraordinary palette of artistic colours and textures. Very much an insiders’ brand it counts Karl the Magnificent and the Omnipresent among devoted fans. And when Karl is a fan, there is definitely a collaboration project.

A  limited edition make up collection to be released soon is symbolised by the cutest cartoon  character Shu girl, sketched by Monsieur Karl himself. Take a look and enjoy. It will certainly make you smile.

Feel good and positive emotions — great marketing strategy and another feather in the cap for Mr. Lagerfeld

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No Comments | In: beauty, fashion, marketing | tags: fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, Shu girl, Shu Uemura, trends. | #

Haute couture is known for exuberance and drama. And while this first Raf Simon’s collection for Dior was thoughtfully restrained paying homage to the legacy of Monsieur Dior, the set was a kaleiodoscopic feast of flowers.

Before the show even started the select public in attendance as well as the world wide audience poised before their computer screens (the show was lived-streamed) were simply awed by such impressive display.

As Dior official site reports: It was a Jardin Couture with peonies, goldenrod, dahlias, carnations, delphiniums, orchids and all kinds of roses. Flowers from floor to ceiling — an event into itself. Well deserving a special film on the making of:

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No Comments | In: fashion | tags: Couture, Dior, flowers & fashion, Raf Simons. | #

Today in Paris the Court of Accounts presented its annual report on state finances. Rigour and more will be required to address the rising deficit.  But the worrying state of government coffers did not have an effect on the House of Dior and the highly anticipated couture show, the first by Raf Simons for the venerable house. And  ”budgetary rigour” was certainly not the word of the day.

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1 Comment | In: design, fashion, trends | tags: Couture, Dior, fashion, PFW, Raf Simons. | #