Faustine Steinmetz collection presentation for LFW S/S 2015

Parisian Newgen designer Faustine Steinmetz was inspired by her hometown this season, exploring not only its chic reputation but also the “perception of fashion and the ultimate concern not with the product itself, but the feeling it evokes”. Scattered throughout the presentation were plinths holding ordinary day to day objects stamped with Steinmetz’s name, such as water and clothes tags, that, in this case, were idolised by Steinmetz and so presented to us as artwork rather than their true identity.  This came from “drawing inspiration from the almighty couture houses and their intrusion into our lives through their infinite array of products”, with the viewer being sold clothes tags as jewellery and Steinmetz logo water bottles, we can’t help but wonder whether Steinmetz is having a dig at the fashion giants who sell us a lifestyle along with a wardrobe.

The traditional 70s look of double denim, white tee and block trainers seemed to be a route inspiration for Steinmetz as we saw a range of variations in different luxurious distressed fabrics. Steinmetz uses artisan techniques to create a range of unique everyday pieces for her customers’ wardrobes. Each fabric is handmade and hand-woven from scratch using the Steinmetz house’s looms, giving their clothes a guarantee of quality and originality.

The atmosphere was one reminiscent of an art gallery as each viewer wove in between plinths holding either models or objects,  we were immediately distanced from the collection in a way that we wouldn’t be when it is on the rails in a store as we were invited to view it in a more critical way than the ordinary catwalk presentation.

Ruby Abbiss
Photos: Erol Birsen