Showcased by the Polish Institute in Paris and conceived as an innovative and multidisciplinary event, Polish Fashion Now is a unique opportunity to shed light on some of Poland’s most inspiring designers, illustrators and photographers, in the heart of Paris during the March edition of Fashion Week. Gathered under one single roof, these young creative minds have a few traits in common, such as boldness, enthusiasm, guts, and a love for color and print, as well as a desire to make a statement.
Relatively unknown within the global fashion sphere and waiting to be discovered, young Polish designers manage to infuse historicity and technique with a witty sense of humour, giving their designs a refreshing appeal. The event encapsulates the avant-garde spirit of Polish fashion, a subtle mix between playfulness and intellectualism. Whether it be womenswear, menswear or accessories, such as hats, scarves, bags and shoes, Polish fashion combines an architectural understanding of volumes and shapes with a spirited take on garments.
The 16 participants presented at this year’s event have a passionate attitude towards their craft, mixing style with substance. The atelier setting allows them to experiment and come up with innovative shapes, as well as exclusive prints and patterns. Poland has, in fact, a rich tradition within the textile area, both in the crafts and industry fields. During the 16th Century, Polish kings collected intricate and precious tapestries, eventually leading to the manufacture of carpets and the creation of striking textile art. Polish jacquard was prominent during the 19th Century, as well as linen, wool and cotton, three key fibres within the local market.
The Polish textile route started in Łódź, currently the third-largest city in Poland, stretching to Cracow and Silesia. Shortly before the First World War, Łódź had become a thriving textile hub, boasting more than 500 factories and offering 100,000 jobs to specialized workers.
Today, Poland still manufactures clothing lines for some of the world’s most famous and exclusive brands, showing the intimate cultural connection between the country’s heritage and designer fashion. The fact that the talents were unveiled within this selection work independently - and are relatively distanced from the frenzy of other fashion capitals - gives them their special edge and subjective strength, unpolluted by the trend machine and growing industry pressure.
Mrs. Małgorzata Łatkiewicz-Pawlak, deputy director and coordinator of the Polish Fashion Now project on behalf of the Polish Institute: "Willing to explore new directions and take creative risks, this exciting group of designers, illustrators and photographers gives Poland an upbeat and seductive image, using fashion as the ultimate tool to express its charm and cultural vibrancy."
GoSee met young shoe designer Katarzyna "Kasia" Ostapowicz on location and sat down for a creative chat about shoes, plans, Lodz ...... Read the interview right here on GoSee:
We love your shoes - are they handmade in Poland? Tell us your story ! I am a graduate of The High School of Art and Design in Łódź (my faculty – design of clothes, jewelry and leather goods). Nonetheless, during my studies I discovered that my biggest passion was shoes. In order to live up to the demands of such an area of interest, I started attending the University in Radom, which is the only place in Poland where one can learn how to design/construct shoes. The collection of shoes originated in a Polish firm which has its own production line. “LePetitCaporal” inspired by Napoléon Bonaparte and his women comprises pumps and ankle boots, and it is the result of my diploma paper. Most ornaments on shoes have been handmade. I have commissioned inscriptions and embroidery to firms. The diploma paper collection is a limited one. I am going to develop its production. “LePetitCaporal F/W 2015” is comprised of a more "serene" version of pumps and ankle boots which will be available in every quantity and size soon.
And we come directly to the point: where can we / our female friends buy them? Individual models are available in boutiques with which I cooperate in Poland. I also sell shoes as well as bags individually. I am about to start the online sales. However, I do not conceal that I wish I would have my own boutique. It is only the beginning of my path connected with shoes. Nevertheless, I do believe that the future holds something for me.
How was Paris for you? Any nice stories? I have had the opportunity to present a designer’s shoe collection abroad – in the capital of fashion – for the first time. And I do not hide that I am really honoured. I was welcomed with great approval, interest and sometimes even with rapture. I do not conceal that such situations bring me joy and satisfaction and in addition to it, I am more motivated to act. The participation in the first edition of PFN allowed me to confront French fashion and beauty. It was also the time when I was able to meet a great number of interesting people and share my own experience in an extraordinary atmosphere. The presentation of Polish designers / artists has turned out to be successful. I believe that it will influence further success and open up new opportunities.
Why are Polish websites often so not multilingual? English? German? It may be caused by some kind of withrawal and false awareness which automatically narrow down our target readership to a certain group. It may also be due to the shortage of demand for it. Nevertheless, I suppose that this situation has already started to change, and we have become more open to the foreign market – and above all, we are more eager to cooperate.
Radom vs. Lodz? What do you prefer? I have been living in Łódź since I began my studies. It is the city that I feel attached to. Łódź is my base that I always come back to. I became attached to Radom three years ago when I commenced an individualized course of study, namely the shoe design faculty. It is the place where I have met a number of people linked to the shoe industry and where I can fulfill myself professionally.
Any cool places you want to recommend? Warsaw / Lodz / Radom? Because of the fact that I am attached to Łódź, I can recommend some spots in this city. Each Polish city is different – it does not mean that one city is better than the other. Modern Łódź is definitely a place which unites artists educationally (Film School, the WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw StrzemiÅ„ski University of Arts) and culturally (Fashion, Philosophy, Fashion Week Poland). The high profile schools, galleries and initiatives aim at promoting the city and apt young people. The arrangement of old factories contributes to the development of artists’ creativity. They can spend their spare time in the vibrant OFF Piotrowska Centre. Or the shopping mall – Manufaktura, The Museum of Textiles, ms2 Gallery just to name a few in Łódź.
What are your next steps? Moving to London / Paris / Berlin .... ? For the time being, I am focused on shoe production in Poland and, frankly, I have not considered moving yet. However, I am open to any proposals. I do not keep it a secret that I really like the attitude toward and flexibility in fashion abroad. In Poland, we are just beginning to have such an attitude. In the near future, I would like to sell abroad as well. Interest in and a positive reaction to my collection made me certain that it is worth it.
FASHION DESIGNERS
1. PITCHOUGUINA Anna Pitchouguina
2. JACOB BIRGE VISION Jakub Bartnik
3. Joanna Startek
4. KAASKAS Katarzyna SkórzyÅ„ska & Julia SkórzyÅ„ska-Åšlusarek
5. Sylwia Rochala
6. Sophie Kula
ACCESSORY DESIGNERS:
7. FILIP VON POLEN Filip Nocko
8. NUNC Dominka Nowak
9. DECOLOVE Karolina Pytlakowska & Dionizy Płaczkowski
10. Katarzyna Ostapowicz (Art Couture Foundation)
11. Katarzyna Gemborys (Art Couture Foundation)
ILLUSTRATORS:
12. KROPKI KRESKI Paweł Zawiślak
13. KOSHdsgn Katarzyna Smoczyńska
14. Elżbieta Gądek
15. Ada Buchholc
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
16. Magdalena Ławniczak
LIVE GIG:
THE DUMPLINGS Electro duo from Poland - we loved it !! Go & See the video here on GoSee
About - POLISH INSTITUTE IN PARIS - created in 1979, is a diplomatic mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. Based in Paris, the Institute is dedicated to nurturing and promoting cultural ties between France and Poland, both through French exposure to Poland 's cultural achievements, and through exposure of Polish artists and scholars to French trends, institutions, and professional counterparts. The function of the Polish Institute in Paris is to showcase contemporary Polish culture for France 's multicultural audience, particularly in Paris, as it is truly the leading global cultural capital. Our program covers the visual arts, film, theatre, classical and contemporary music, literature, public diplomacy, history, lifestyle and fashion. Mrs. MaÅ‚gorzata Łatkiewicz-Pawlak, deputy director, coordinates the Polish Fashion Now project on behalf of the Polish Institute. Institut Polonaise Paris . Boutique - 72 rue Saint Honoré . 75001 Paris, France
Polish Fashion Now. polishfashionnow.com & kasiaostapowicz.com