This is an article i have recently wrote for @trendboutique, Nottingham. I've always wanted to improve my writing so i guess i have to start somewhere and i've heard practise makes perfect...
I walk into a
disused second floor warehouse, in the middle of Alexanderplatz, an up and
coming fashion and cultural district in central Mitte Berlin. It is a cold
January and walking up the various floors with the surge of fashionable people,
I hit Mercedes Benz fashion week… Sebastian Ellrich style.
Working originally as a stage costume
designer for opera, theater, and film. The native of Magdeburg, Germany, now
displays his talent on a different kind of stage: the young designer sends his
models down the runway in extravagant fashion. No two designs are the same, but
the combination of athletic elements such as reversible hoods and elastic bands
with classic touches is always an eye-catcher.
I originally
met the Designer a few days earlier at Premium tradeshow, in the young talent
section, a place for up and coming designers to be awarded prestigious prizes
with the ultimate opportunity to showcase at fashion week. Ellrich had one the
‘Best newcomer’ prize last year and showcased his first collection in August
and now has been recalled for his Autumn/Winter 2012 collection entitled ‘Just
one of those things’.
As soon as I
saw his designs I was drawn to the garments full of colour and his staple grey
tailored pieces. ‘It is all about contrast’ says Ellrich, ‘I like to give my
customers the option of customising their own clothes, all my collections are
made to be worn, of high quality materials that are durable and fashionable.
Hoods can be taken off and put back on, coats can be reversed for a different
look, skirts can be adapted for a high-waisted occasion to a layered mini and
lets not forgot that all designs can be made to order with colour preferences’.
Ellrich doesn’t do things by halves. When I was invited to his show I couldn’t
miss the opportunity and was told it was something not to be missed.
When I arrived
to the second floor the concrete structure was transformed into a out of the
ordinary catwalk installation. Being greeted in a smoke filled room with
mystical models in raincoats twirling umbrellas everyone was intrigued. Walking
around the circular complex and peering into the different rooms manikins were
transformed into models full of energy and enthusiasm. One room showcased a
couple fine dining in eveningwear, whilst another shows models jiving to a
piano player, one showcased a rollerblader collaging on a wall and another with
a group posing and slouching on a brick wall.
The finale room
featured fiveteen models walking backwards and forwards through the width of
the room with the guests walking in-between for a more close up look. With all
the models coming together for a catwalk show at the end, the tailored,
resistant and timeless nature of Ellrich’s designs are apparent. With the Cole
Porter classic ‘Just one of those things’ being played it was the perfect end
to the show. Ellrich is hoping to bring his designs to the UK and I think they
will fit in perfectly in the London high fashion ready-to-wear crowd. Mercedes
Benz label him the one to watch, Ellrich is something not to be missed…
