Institut Mode-Design Basel
This month, Mode Suisse presented its 14th edition, showcasing ambitious young designers and celebrating home-grown talent with a global outlook. The event was fittingly held in Zurich’s newly renovated Museum of Design, which has looked after generations of Swiss designers, inspiringly combining the history and future of Swiss fashion. Mode Suisse revisited founder Yannick Aellen’s innovative concept of catwalk shows followed by individual showroom presentations, giving young designers the unique chance to interact with buyers and fashion observers from the international audience. This season eleven audacious designers were selected each with distinct contemporary looks, alongside Basel’s design institute FHNW Academy of Art and Design and Geneva’s HEAD showcases of their young talent. Julian Zigerli, WEER feat. SOL SOL ITO and HEAD Genève’s Miguel M. Salvador covered menswear. While womenswear featured designers Vanessa Schindler, Julia Heuer, Mourjjan, Julia Seemann, Nina Yuun, YVY and COLLECTIVE SWALLOW; and the season was not complete without a genderless collection by Jacqueline Loetiko.
Vanessa Schindler
Amongst Schön!’s highlights is Vanessa Schindler. The recent graduate from Geneva’s HEAD school sculpted a romantic womenswear collection with an exquisite awareness of femininity. Through experimental ornamentation and sheer details, Schindler creates a starry dream. The sensual and fragile designs coming down the runway were a temporary escape from reality.
Julia Heuer
Julia Heuer impressed with her vibrant and dynamic handicraft. Each piece was more fun than the next, charmingly combining incredible prints and tie-dye techniques with her signature plissé that emulate the frailty and vivacity of flower petals. The runway was a colourful celebration with happy details like a jumpsuit in sunset hues, flowy dresses and models strutting on flowery platform heels.
Nina Yuun
South Korean designer Nina Yuun was in a class of her own giving us subtle elegance with a modern twist. Yuun has an eye for dressing women, the wearable collection featured smart details, comfortable silhouettes and refined colours. A memorable debut for a fine designer.
Miguel M. Salvador
Miguel M. Salvador represented HEAD, Geneva’s renowned school of design. Refreshing menswear with quirky details, crafty layering, borrowing from womenswear and defying classic masculine fashion. From the mind of Salvador came a runway that was playfully boyish with clean tailoring executed masterfully.
COLLECTIVE SWALLOW
Participating again in Mode Suisse was Schön! favourite COLLECTIVE SWALLOW. The Basel and Berlin-based brand did not disappoint. Streetwear that is cool and happily eccentric, the catwalk saw models with rhinestone-rimmed eyes strut their stuff in tracksuits, aprons, bum bags and of course a sheer plastic suite.
YVY
Yvonne Reichmuth, a.k.a. YVY, returned to her Swiss roots after building a successful brand with entertainers across the world. Her leather accessories and femme fatale designs have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Cardi B and Janet Jackson. Her runway was rightly a show. Crisp, minimalist pieces underneath daring leather harnesses made each look a powerful event.
There was an esprit that ran through the collections of Mode Suisse 14, whether it was in Nina Yuun’s smart designs, Julia Heuer’s sprightliness or the vigour of Collective Swallow. The innovative Swiss fashion event never disappoints.
For more information, visit modesuisse.com.
words. Sarah Osei
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