Utilitarian chic: the Christian Blanken online store

Our favourite designer, who once famously stated that fashion is not a matter of life and death, is back with a bang. Christian Blanken who presented his awe-inspiring collection to an enthralled fashion-loving audience at the recently concluded London Fashion Week has opened up a new online store for people who love all things wonderful.

Blanken, who heralds from the Netherlands, navigated his way through the Central Saint Martins MA in 1990, and is one of those designers true to the old-school ethos of creating clothes that are luxurious, clean-cut, sharp, modern, and tailored.

His designs have a contemporary severity but do not look like something that can only be relegated to runways. Of course, it helps that Blanken’s unrivalled creative skills is only matched by his sharp commercial instincts and that he has worked with fashion greats like Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, Harvey Nichols’ Private Label and the MaxMara Fashion Group before venturing out on his own.

Blanken – who draws inspiration from urban street culture, the sixties era and sportswear – is known for his clean, sharp and not sweet creations. Whether its statement pieces like intricate silk jersey dresses, blouses and shirts with interesting details like zips, pleats, black crystals, Swarovski or stingray-print jackets and beach cover-ups, the clothes are true to the androgynous aesthetic but with a definite feminine twist.

What you get is beautifully made, timeless pieces that can weather the cyclical and disposable nature of fashion.

Dhanya Nair

Click here to get smitten.