KSW by Lela Scherrer
09 March 2004
Lela Scherrer keeps a unique place in our heart, because she has been the first talent showcased by ITS: her collection opened the fashion show at ITS#ONE and started a tradition that with god's help will continue in the years.
She kept herself busy in the last years working as a fashion designer, currently with Dries Van Noten in Antwerp; recently she created a new collection, KSW (Kleben Sachen Weben gegen den Ungeist- Stick, Saw, Weave against the Ungeist) inspired by 'Anatol', a play of Arthur Schnitzlers.
The KSW collection reflects the following subjects of the beginning of the 20th century that draw a parallel to today- the contrast of an old and new world order, anti-military propaganda, irresponsibility and individualism. The generation X of now and then. A moment when luxury was dedicated to decay of social and political norms, values and structures. All these attributes could as well be found in rational fashion (ban the corset!!), a contemporary movement which was a symbol of the new way progressive women and men looked at themselves and society, causing a crack in the conventional (fashion) world.
The particular aesthetic of the collection are underlined by poetic applications on the garments. The absurd 'protest against reason' and arty-nonsense-sentences are typical of the dada movement. The concept holds certain revenge towards the act of designing clothes.
The collection consisting of exclusive, handmade and unique garments, presents itself in a patch of vintage clothes and rich fabrics such as silk, sequin, lace, handcrafted fabrics and details.
The trashy, sporty and antique elements, the shabby but careful way the details and application of objects, text and drawings are worked onto the garments by hand, give each piece its partiular look, supported by washing or dyeing each garment in broken colours.
