Says Benedikt who was born in Prague in 1982, where he graduated from School of Contemporary Art and Photography. From the age of 16  he’ has been absorbed in world of fashion, working for czech edition of ELLE magazine since then. He also works for several other magazines and clients such as Dolce Vita, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle,etc…

Benedikt regularly shoots campaigns for Jacobs, Adidas, Cool Help, Visage Factory, Fresh Labels, but also works with various czech fashion designers.

“My inspiration come from every day life of course.” says Benedikt. “You have to be wiling to seek out experiences, meet new people, travel a lot, read good books and listen to great music. Absorb it, mix it, trust your talent and create something nice out of it.”

www.benediktrenc.com

At the heart of each installation stands a Mercedes Benz Young Classics. From these cars from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, 4 cars were selected that today have an undisputed cult status: W115, S123, R107 and C126. Not only the intrinsic qualities of the cars themselves, but also the widely diverse people happy to be amongst their proud owners have shaped how we think about these vehicles. Today our memories of these cars merge with our continually changing perception of luxury, craftsmanship, and functionality, and form exquisite material for fashion designers. Fashion only exists by the grace of our perpetual reinvention of the past, our rethinking of bygone style and fashion trends and our translation of these for the women and men of today. In their designs, we asked the designers to reflect on how the Young Classics can still inspire us today and to interpret the widely varying connotations associated with these cars into a contemporary context.

For each Young Classics, photographer and artist Frederik Heyman created a unique decor and used it only once in a photographic illustration. The design of tableaux and their photographic reproduction are central to Heyman’s oeuvre. Humour and a surrealist visual vocabulary are an intrinsic part of his artistic signature. His decors are built completely by hand, in collaboration with a team of sculptors and artists. In the final results, the handcraft, the construction and consequently also quality craftsmanship are always clearly traceable. Fashion designers Bernhard Willhelm, Peter Pilotto, Henrik Vibskov and Mikio Sakabe have added their own visions to the installations with each 3 new looks.

http://www.recollection-quartett.com/EN/concept.html

As expected Emmanuelle Alt has been confirmed as French Vogue’s newest editor-in-chief, taking over from Carine Roitfeld who helmed the title for a decade. Known for her rock chic style, Alt worked alongside Roitfeld as fashion director for 10 years. Effective from 1st February, Alt’s name will appear on the magazine’s masthead from the April issue onwards.

Speaking of her new appointment, Alt told WWD that it is a “great honor”. “Working with a very talented team, I will devote myself to developing the incredible potential of Vogue Paris,” she said.

A few others to comment on Alt’s promotion include Karl Lagerfeld, who has previously recruited Alt to style Chanel ad campaigns.

“Her style is her big shoulders, long legs, tight jeans, sleeves up to the elbow, one hip out,” the designer said. “I personally like her. She’s a handsome French woman. She has a style, but is it enough to make a whole magazine? “As editor in chief, she may blossom.”

Meanwhile, Mario Sorrenti said… “Emmanuelle is one of the most talented editors. I love working with her,” added Sorrenti. Others seemed ready for more of the same.

Giambattista Valli said… “It’s a very logical continuation for French Vogue. She’s really somebody who’s going to make it. She has a point of view, a lot of vision. I remember when she was editor in chief of Mixte she did some amazing stories. She worked a lot with Corinne Day at the time. She’s French, but she’s extremely international as well.

[via WWD]

Filep Motwary nationality is a combination of Syria and Cyprus. After working as a stylist’s assistant for a year’s period for the Greek edition of L’Officiel, he was hired by Couture House Loukia as her first Studio assistant designer, a collaboration that lasted until 2004. During the same year Filep represented Greece, in a project launched by Absolut Vodka, entitled Absolut Country, supported by Kesselskramer in Amsterdam.He moved to Paris where he spent  a year working as an intern for the Houses of John Galliano, Dior and Chloe.

Since July 2005 Maria is collaborating with Filep under the label MASTORI*MOTWARY STUDIO. Filep and Maria presented seven collections during the Hellenic Fashion Week: FROST, SOPHIA, OVERTONE CONTINUUM, SAME TIME TOMORROW, VIER FUCHSE VOR FUCHSBAU…. Their work has been presented in various magazines such as Vogue Italia, Glamour, L’Officiel. WAD, Stilus, Dazed&Confused, ZOO, Elle …. The Mastori*Motwary collections can be found in 15 different locations in Greece as well as  in Cyprus and Johannesburg. Motwary is also editor for the fashion issue of ISTEROGRAFO in Cyprus, a supplement of Phileleftheros Newspaper, that comes out twice a year. So far he has interviewed a great number of creative individuals from the international fashion platform: Juergen Teller, Rick Owens Walter Van Beirendonck, Bernhard Willhelm, Dries Van Noten, Nicola Formichetti, A.F Vandevorst, N.A Taralis, Veronique Branquinho, Maria Luisa, Miles Aldridge, Matthias Vriens, Gaspard  Yuekievich, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Juun J.,….

He is also behind Un nouVeau iDEAL, a blog focusing on information regarding fashion, arts and design: www.unnouveauideal.typepad.com

Anna Aichinger was born in Vienna and studied fashion design at the university of applied arts in Vienna  under guest professors such as Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Viktor & Rolf and Raf Simons.  She graduated 2003 with the best diploma of the year and  won the moet chandon schools award at the Gwand the same year. 2004 she was invited to the festival des arts et de la mode in Hyères / France, received the Fashion Award of the City of Vienna in 2006 as well as the ‚go International’ Award 2009.
With her straight-lined designs she has created a sophisticated  and very distinctive style, rather than trends there is a sense of experimentation defined by the contrast of formal minimalism and sex appeal that defines the heart of her aesthetic. Her design have more to do with shape, cut and attitude than decoration, attempting to emphasise the personality and elegance of women.
Anna Aichinger has an uncanny ability to capture the contemporary climate and transform it into fashion. The individual parts from different collections go with each other and offer various possibilities of combination and also can be quickly changed from day-wear to evening-wear with just a few twists – adapted to the needs of a modern women. The basic elements of the collections are redefined basics, tailored cuts and fluid silhouettes. The main colours she uses are black, grey, white and skin tones complemented by seasonally changing colour accents. Anna Aichinger produces a winter and a summer collection per year, presents her collections at the Paris Fashion Week as well as on international trade shows and supplies international shops. As regards the production special attention is paid to the quality of the materials and to the production conditions.

www.annaaichinger.com

Emilia’s collection ‘Prozac Nation’ was inspired by a memoir of the same name by Elizabeth Wurtzel. ‘Prozac Nation’ is a projection of a complex discernment of Lizzie’s reality while suffering from depression through nine hand-knitted dresses. Each dress refers to a particular state of Elizabeth’s mind, and together they visualize the process of her reinvention in form of shape, colour and texture.  Exaggerated sleeves, necks and other body parts; unexpected chunky brass zips allowing to transform garments and a vivid colour palette create an instant impact. Having hand-knitted the entire collection herself, Emilia appreciates the quality of craftsmanship and provides her collection with sentimental value. At present Emilia is working for a high-end luxury brand.

www.showtime.arts.ac.uk/emilia

Derek featured in the Central St Martin’s A/W 09 show at London Fashion Week with a collection of heavily embellished dresses. The collection was credited by Sarah Mower as ‘fabulous knitwear’ on vogue.com and has received great press and recognition. Inspired by Japanese body armour, Derek has developed a unique lace cord technique using wax cord to create organic sculptural shapes on tight fitting cashmere dresses.

Derek’s inspiration goes beyond fabric and ranges from body armour to sculpture and architectural references. Inspired he then goes on to create the fabrics which form the structure to his garments. References for his A/W 09 collection were taking from exploring traditional body armour and costume from around the world- he then focused on Japanese body armour looking at layering of different materials to create interesting shapes and texture. All these references come together in Derek’s mixing of weights, structure and shapes derived from experimentation on his domestic knitting machine.

Derek adapts techniques such as weaving to create three dimensional patterns and unique fabric designs. What may start off as a simple length of cashmere cloth, will be completely transformed once the wax cord is woven through. The lace technique is original and forms a canvas for Derek to work in to. The cord is like thread which is then woven through the lace patterns to form fantastic organic shapes. Further visual and movement away from the body was created by the long fringes of cords hanging from the dresses- each fringed cord end has been finished with plastic dip enhancing the modern edge to this collection.

Using time spent from working for designers such as Michiko Koshino, Alex Gore Browne and Japer Gardiva to hone his skill, Derek has been able to build an impressive textile and fashion portfolio that speaks of both progress and individuality. His work, rather than following the trends of fashion is both enduring in its aesthetic and innovative in its technique. Derek’s pieces straddle the boundaries between artwork and fashion, craft and performance commanding attention in their complexity    . This collection is an example of furthering fashion and pushing the boundaries of knitwear to create something innovative, edgy and luxurious.

http://dereklawlorknitwear.blogspot.com/

Alessandra Carta, the creative force of Carta e Costura, now designing with Stefano Fornari, has also worked as a costume designer in films for a decade, specializing in costumes from past eras. They blend different aesthetics, historical period and silhouettes that can range from the medieval dresses to the future.

www.cartaecostura.com