Thursday 14 July 2011

UNRAVEL. Knitwear in fashion
(in Belgium)










The current show on display at MoMu (Fashion Museum Province of Antwerp) focuses on fashion in knitwear during the last century. Acclaimed designers from all over the world - Elsa Schiaparelli, Gabrielle Chanel, Barbara Hulanicki (Biba)- are only a few of the groundbreaking names in knitwear fashion, represented here.

The show has been divided into eleven spaces, covering everything knitted from lingerie to innovative sculptural designs by emerging and already established talent. In some rooms, catwalk shows on dvd by high fashion designer such as Sonia Rykiel and Yoshji Yamamoto highlight the vivid garments.

My first encounter, when entering the wooden hallway is with a massive gradient knitwork by Rotterdam - based designer Bauke Knottnerus.This incorporates subtly coloured knitted ‘tubes’ where people can sit or lie. These have been created as a tribute.

The exhibition opens with a sub section dedicated to Belgium designers in knitwear fashion, paying homage to Ann Salens. The following rooms unravel how knitted garments emerged over time from delicate feminine wear, creating an important link for women between sport and fashion.

For anyone passionate about fashion this is the perfect cultural visit over the weekend. Even the merchandising side is impressive, contrasting knitwear's soft edges with white angular table settings.

On Sunday the space was surprisingly empty; could only hear the echo of teenagers' giggles. For the rest of the time I wandered around feeling privileged to enjoy an exhibition on my own in a superb museum like MoMu. After living many years in London where peace isn't easy to access, this visit was a treat.

Downstairs by the reception is a small gallery space, currently dedicated to Niels Peeraer, a young and aspiring talent who recently won a MoMu award. His designs are fresh and eye catching. The gentle pink garments balance the edgy cuffs and buckles, and Lolita was juxtaposed with Alice In Wonderland. The show fizzes with creativity and inspiration. He is giving us a sweet, alternative story.

http://www.antwerp-fashion.be/SHOW2011/4/niels_peeraer/















Friday 8 July 2011

Yvon Lararthe


Street luge is a unique, exhilarating and adrenaline filled sport, involving traveling at high speed down a paved course with only a board between you and the ground. Hailing from Switzerland, Yvon Labarthe is one of the most highly renowned gravity sports athletes of his generation. His dedication to competitive street luge has seen him win titles including the Vice World Cup Series Championship 2010. IDOL caught up with Labarthe to find out why street luge is such a unique sport and what it takes to be a champion.


WHEN AND HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN SUCH AN EXTREME SPORT AS STREET LUGE?
I started rollerblading downhill after a friend introduced me to it 20 years ago, after 10 years I switched my skates for a skateboard and took part in a downhill race where I saw a competitor make a beautiful slide and I thought, “I want to do that”, so I began to seriously commit myself to downhill skateboarding in 1999. I was world champion by 2002 and three years later I switched to street luge.


WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT STREET LUGE?
I like how exhilarating and fast the downhill ride is without any form of engine, when you are at 130km/h and all you can hear are your wheels and the wind in your helmet, it's like flying.


STREET LUGE IS GAINING POPULARITY, WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS MAKING COMPETITION BETWEEN LUGERS TOUGHER?
Year after year luge riders get better and better, it's not easy to stay at the top.


YOU HAVE WON MANY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OTHER TITLES. WHICH ONE WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THESE COMPETITIONS?
The 2009 season was the hardest season so far for me, trying to keep my results constant was very difficult. Sometimes you win a race easily and sometimes it's very hard, it really depends on the opponents and the track you ride. Last year, I won the world cup series with only a 0.72 point margin (on 1800 points).


YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS ARE OUTSTANDING AND YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY CLAIMED PODIUM WINNING POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU NEXT?
I just would like to continue racing and share my experience with some new riders. Ideally I’d like to stay at the top, but it is not the most important factor for me; I just would like to continue to travel through the world and meet new people and make great videos.


IS THERE A SKILL YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN BUT HAVE NEVER HAD THE TIME FOR?
Yes, Base jumping.


WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING FOR FUN?
Snowboarding, skiing, kite surfing, mountain biking, climbing, and ping pong amongst other things.


WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Become to old for riding


WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A BEGINNER IN STREET LUGE?
"Ride safe, and have fun!" Street luge is not very difficult to learn, anybody from 7 to 77 years old can learn, but to win a race is another story.


HAVE YOU EVER BEING THROUGH SELF-DOUBT ABOUT REALLY KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE DOING?
No, when I'm on my luge I am totally focused on what I have to do for my safety. It's like driving a car, you stay focus on the road and you know what you have to do.


IF YOU CAN TAKE A HOLIDAY RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHY?
Right now, I would like to be in Canada or Alaska for snowboarding in the powder.


IN YOUR NEXT LIFE, WHAT/WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REINCARNATED AS?
I would like to be a girl to see the life from the other side, to be in the sexy part of the world.


WHO IS YOUR IDOL?
Tony Hawk



Interview by Katre Laan
Pictures courtesy of the artist

Published in IDOL magazine online version:
http://idolmag.co.uk/art-culture-interview/yvon-labarthe