I'll be seeing you

Spring seems so far away, I feel like I'm living on the planet Hoth and as if I got popsicles as veins (even when wearing two coats? Brrr!).

But instead of crying over this cold, cold situation, I'll think of what I'm looking forward to in spring. I remember the last spring as one of the happiest times in my life, I don't know what exactly made this spring so jolly, most likely it's my wild love for these spring times. Everything gets back to life, it feels like all the things that have been hibernating slowly wake up and open their sleepy eyes to see spring's beauty. I most likely start the perfect spring day with a big cup of English Breakfast tea with a splash of milk while watching the birds and listening to some fine tunes. After that, I meet up with some of my dearest friends and we'll hit the streets, heading to the flea market, tracking after underappreciated treasures. Or maybe on our way to a museum to check out an exhibition. Either way, it's not hard to dress appropriately, because the weather makes it possible to wear a sheer chiffon dress, paired with a pair of beige Supergas and maybe a hoodie in case it gets too brisk. As we all know, slipping through the streets can be exhausting, so we might go for a little coffee in a nice little spot – nothing to outrageous, where we sit and giggle. After the waiters kindly ask us to leave, since we haven't ordered anything for the past three hours, we stroll around until we find a park where we can lay down and blink right into the sun. Or maybe have a round of Double Dutch? In the evening, you invite your friends over for dinner, kill a bottle of wine and then hit the clubs. You all know these days, where you feel like you're filming a video clip for Best Coast or inspiring Yann Tiersen to write a new song. So remember, spring, we'll be seeing you.

Holly meets Florian T.

You might remember my first article for Kimandra – I surely do – in which I told you about Florian Trösch, the zurich-based designer who knows what dreams are made of (exquisite fabrics, of course) and who managed to sell his dreamy creations in Zurich’s top stores after only 18 months of working as a designer. Earlier this week, I met him for a quick coffee, he revealed his fashion sins and why he wouldn't be where he is today if weren't for his other job, flight attendant.

Florian, when did you start doing this?

Soon, it will be two years since I did my first bag. I remember this first collection so well, I was on a trip to Thailand and found some of the most fascinating fabrics and thought to myself: 'What a pity that these fabrics won't ever be used again.' So I bought some of them, made my first bag and drew another 9 sketches. And then, as soon as I got back to Zurich, I was sold out. People even bought bags that hadn't even been made by this point. I then realized, that there's a high demand for this kind of accessory.

This kind?

Yes, you know, unique fabrics. In the Beijing collection I used these special baby carriers, that women of a hill tribe in China make whenever one of them is pregnant, and combined this old fabrics with finest leather. And in my new collection, I used fish leather from sustainable keeping.

I've seen some of the pieces, they are wonderful. But good fashion comes with a price – do you remember the first high fashion piece you've ever bought?

Let me think, I sure own the classics like the LV bag and I absolutely adore my Diesel Black Gold boots. But I think the very first very expensive item was a Dior necklace, which cost about 2.5 grand. But don't worry, I got this as a present from my then-boyfriend. It reminds me of him, which is wonderful, because he's got a heart of gold and we're still good friends! But actually, I'm not that much of a brand person. I appreciate good quality, but it has to be simple. So you won't ever see me wearing a shirt that says D&G in big, golden letters on it...(he looks down on his chest) Well, this adidas sweater is an exception – it's so super comfy!

What's your fashion mantra?

Well, I'm not a fan of sayings like 'less is more' or 'never combine brown with blue' – I think everyone should wear whatever he feels like wearing. But if I had to point out one, it would probably something like 'don't use your body as advertising space for labels'.

And what does the ultimate Florian T. customer look like?

Oh, what a tough question! I think it's less about the looks than the spirit. It's someone who loves little, playful, high quality products that are very unique, but he doesn't have to brag about them.

What was your biggest fashion sin?

Oh my! I was a right techno fan, so we, my friends and me, got it all going on. The neon colours, the wide pants – Once, we stole a friend's father's, who worked as a fireman, fireman trousers. Only because they were neon-orange.

Okay, let's leave the skeletons in the closet... What inspires you most?

Traveling! My job as a flight attendant comes in handy there. I find it so important to see other cultures, other food – I love food – and other traditions. I wouldn't be me if I had to stay in Zurich forever. I'm going to Cape Town on Friday, I'm so looking forward to this. I guess I got bitten by the travel bug as a baby and never quite recovered from it. But I wouldn't want to recover from it anyways!

So what job do you prefer? Designer or flight attendant?

I honestly can't say... Without the one, the other couldn't exist. I adore both of my jobs and wouldn't want to give up on one. It's a symbiotic thing, you know.

Make sure you check out Florian's website, the new collection will be online soon!

loads of love,

Holly

New light

We had the chance to visit the new atelier of artist Matt McClune. That was one of the most powerful experience I have had in a long time. His work is aesthetic and the result of a highly skilled handicraft that also has the ability to touch the unconscious. The picture I took is an extremely bad representation of his work, but might give a small hint. If you can, I highly recommend to go see his work at one of his galleries.

More pictures on kutr.ch.

Love, Andrea

It's a shameful thing

You all know the walk of shame, right? Where you stumble out of a strangers house at 11 AM on a Saturday morning, still wearing that slutty dress from last night. Well, thankfully, I rarely dress like a slut. And my walk of a different one: the one to the interview with zurich-based designer Florian T. (wait and see!) while I knew I won't be able to pay for my Cappuccino because I literally spent all my money on the prettiest Rochas platforms ever. Don't judge me, they were on sale!

Love,

Holly

the real deal: ankle strap shoes by Rochas

Create your own shoes

Strolling around in Paris I found a little store/shoemaker called L'Atelier where you can design your own shoes. You can chose a model, the material, the colour or even draw your own design (for an extra 150€). They take your measures and after 3 weeks you get your very own handmade shoes, all at a very fair price.

Ordering over e-mail and shipping is possible. Check the page here or visit their store to see for yourself.

Love, Andrea

Light & Colour

Taking a trip to Piemonte there were some inspiring images. First when visiting the Collezione Panza in Varese and then simply on they highway between Varese and Alba.

Ann Appleby at Collezione Panza

Lawrence Carroll

Dan Flavin that has his own extension building (really not the same on a picture...)

... and our trip to Alba through a sea of fog.

Lots of love, Andrea

Kimandra on Walla

We are excited to see that we got a great review of Kimandra on Walla the most popular fashion website in Israel. Click here to read the original text or thanks to google translate here everything in english (more or less...):

Romance at affordable prices

Trailer: Elements of the site of Kimandra are not new - Fashion blog based on photography, vintage items, rare and online store. Mixing the components into a single unit Wharf high quality is what makes it unique.

Establishing a blog Kim and Andrea from Zurich, Switzerland, wanted to create a virtual space of inspiring vintage fashions. Natural selection vintage was need for them since they are seeking responsible. Instead of showing the items in isolation, they felt like having to give them a context and give guidance to help attain the best.

Personal blog and feel invested when the two are both good companies to become their mission of quality and rare items. Unlike the masses of other blogs on the network, which settle spontaneously in the mirror photography using iPhone's camera, Kimandra produces photos that look like meticulous fashion Productions indie magazine. The two brochures for photographers and artists to give each outfit the full attention he deserves, but are not satisfied with any item accompanied Btizing price tag and can be ordered from the site.

Kimandra's business model is a prime example of how the web allows talented people without deep pockets or behind a complex Operations, express creative vision and make some money on the road.

What's inside: Entries photographic, each accompanied by an explanation of the item sold, including a reference to a decade in which he creates and the rate. Evident that the two are fans of romance, the items include a variety of feminine dresses and shirts fluttering delicate fabrics that make more innocent decades longing. Items that come in one size, average prices ranging around the 50 Euro. Anyone interested in purchasing an item just need to send the address indicated category listed i in Order, with all the details of the order.

Big In Berlin

Oh me, oh my! My dear readers, you can't imagine how superexciting the past week was! I was invited to go to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin and so, I hopped onto a plane and flew to Berlin. I arrived and realized, I booked a hotel in a rather ghetto-area of Berlin, but look at me – I didn't get shoot in a drive-by shooting. So, on Wednesday I started the day with a bit of shopping and superquick manicure. After I did all the girly, I went down on the fashion. I went to see the A/W 2012/2013 collection of Dimitri, which was a bit boring. The Rebekka Ruetz show that followed was better, since they had very clean and fresh designs. The highlight of that day was surely the Lena Hoschek show, which had a strong french vibe going on and the chansons playing in the background made my heart start dreaming. But it was my first night in Berlin and I am a little coward, so I didn't do any of the atferparties that day but went strict to the hotel. I started the next day with a big coffee and got to know the ambassador of the Iran republic, who actually was very pleased with your Holly and wanted to invite her to dinner. But a girl about town has a pretty tight schedule her own. So I kindly refused and took a look at the Don't Shoot The Messengers collection. It was all kept in black and used accessory to make each outfit a bit dangerous.

But the fashion wasn't the only risky business that day – it was literally pouring with rain. And, as usual, I didn't had anything to protect my lacy hairdo. Luckily, there was a gentleman who offered me his umbrella. He turned out to be the designer of Mykita. We waved goodbye and I rushed off to see the Hugo by Hugo Boss fashion show. And it was truly amazing. Guess what, turtlenecks are coming back and I couldn't be happier about this fact (I admit, I have a thing for the turtlenecked man). But not only the male models looked hot. Two words: Jared Leto! I was literally star-struck (a bit embarrassing, I know) and then, poof, all the celebs just came popping up: Pixie Geldof, Georgia May Jagger, Juliane Moore, Eva Padberg. The list goes on. After a few other showd (ethical fashion – well, let's not talk about this), Perret Schaad showed his new collection. I was seated right behind german Vogue editor in-chief Christiane Arp, who had the same naildo as me – TWINSIES! And guess who else I met there again? Right, the gentleman with the umbrella. And as you should never upset fate, we went for dinner together. He magically already booked a table at red-hot restaurant Dudu at Torstrasse, and introduced me to his friend, a shoedesigner from New York (I know – shoedesigner and New York: match made in heaven!) I was given the nicest finger ring ever and discovered the craziest ice cream flavours: bacon? Green tea? First not so yummy, second pretty yummy. Okay, next day was packed with more shows. Unfortunately, most of them were boring again (apart from Vladimir Karaleev and Hien Lee – each piece was party of my imaginary dream wardrobe and Karaleev had just about the coolest playlist ever: Lil Wayne and The Beatles? Yes sir!)

Saturday: loved Issever Bahri, skipped Noir and avoided Indian Designers. I couldn't deal with all the attention whores at the shows, trying to seem important but not paying any attention to the shows, which is so rude. (Yes, I'm talking about you, son of a famous actor and ex-wife of a football player!) On Sunday I met up with a lovely friend of mine, had lots of coffee and went to see the Dalí exhibition at Potsdamer Platz. I cannot express how much I enjoyed travelling alone to Berlin, but there are no words. Even if I try, I could never fully review such an amazing 5-days-stay in just one post.

Your deliriously happy Holly

The future anchored in the past

We are happy to see that our latest editorial Spirit of the Ages was featured on Kinki Magazine. To read the whole article click here.

Holly Meets Jana Van De Boldt

Bonjour my beloved reader! I'd love to introduce you to our new project called Holly meets... where I chitchat to musicians, photographers, designers, artists, dancers and whatsoever. We're premièring with Berlin-based photographer Jana Van De Boldt, a lovely lady about whom you'll surely hear some more. Enough talking, let's do this!

Holly: When did you start photographing and what's been the background?

Jana: I'm not so sure about the age, but I remember buying my first SLR camera aged 21. But before this I used to photograph analogously. All my friends were complaining about me photographing everything, but it's obviously always been a passion of mine. What's been the background? Well, it surely doesn't have anything to do with my parents since they don't have anything to do with photography. I've been interested in fashion and photography since a really young age. I've actually always been the creative head in my family. I love to tinker and do handicraft work, I'd rather fix something or change it somehow instead of simply throwing it into the trash.

What did you study?

I studied communication design and got my Bachelor of Arts this year.

Congrats to that! Tell me about your first camera and your relationship with it.

My first, professional camera was a Nikon D80 and I still use it quite often. I have a pretty intense relationship with it. Somehow it is my baby, I would only be half me if I didn't have it, it's been accompanying me ever since and it's always been fit to play when I needed it to be.

What inspires you?

I obtain my inspiration from other photographers, magazines, blogs, shops, movies and locations in other towns and countries.

Which photographers? Who do you admire?

Oh, there's a lot! There are so many photographers who inspire me a lot and whose pictures I could gaze at for hours. My favourites are Jamie Nelson, I love her works and the way she draws attention to women. Pure femininity and very sensual. But I also love photographers...such as Marc Vallee, he's genius. Or Lara Jade and Steven Klein... There are so many great photographers!

What are your goals?

Well, my goal is to do what I like to do and to have fun doing it. But obviously it would be great to make a living from it. A good living, because I can't live on love alone. In fine: I want to be a top photographer, walking past the newspaper kiosk and say: my work is in this, this and that magazine.

Your worst experience at a shooting?

That was when two models cancelled the shooting and then, a little later, the make-up artist too. And all this right before the shooting was ought to take place. That was really depressing, because I organized a lot to do this shooting, but that's just how it rolls sometime. You learn from your mistakes and do it differently the next time. I started to organize alternates, because it's likely that a model can't make it, because she's ill or whatever. I can keep the stress at a minimum this way.

Do you think it's possible to capture real life's beauty through the lens?

What an interesting question! Well, I think so. Because beauty passes, but pictures stay forever.

Would you rather lose or gain an eye?

What a question! I think I'd rather lose an eye. Three would be two too much (laughs), because if you have three eyes you discern much more things. And if you only have one, you focus on the essential things.

Your personal style?

Casual chic I'd say. I like wearing jeans with a shirt and a cardi. Sometimes you find me on heels, but I enjoy wearing sneakers as well.

What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

Definitely my cognac-coloured jeans with a white shirt that has bufflehead print on it.

Vengeance Is Sweet

Is it only me or do you sometimes dream about fashion, too? Seems like the fashion-overstimulation that we're exposed to each and everday has an effect on my dreaming habits. Anyways, it happened last week again and I've found myself wearing a dreamy, dark green velvet dress with a lace collar. I got up wondering where I could find a dress like the one from my dream but I couldn't find a similar one on the internet (how is that even possible? There is everything on the internet, even a coffee cup that looks like a toilet BUT THE DRESS I AM LOOKING FOR IS HARDER TO FIND THAN NARNIA?). Impatient as I am, I simply had to get it. No really, I had to or else I could have never loved another dress again. Problem: Clear idea of what kind of dress I was looking for, but cruel reality spiked my guns and wouldn't let me find one. So I rushed out off my house and made my way to a fabric store, where I bought green velvet fabric and lace. You'll probably know already where this is gonna end: I made myself a dress.

I'd love to tell you how much effort and time I invested in it, but to be all honest, I just dashed into doing this. I didn't use any measurements nor the very best technique. There was a point in the first night of sewing it where I thought I couldn't make it: I forgot to put an elastic strip into the top of the dress, than I decided to cut it open and sew in a zipper. Well, I didn't quite succeed with that, so I threw it into a corner and went to bed. The next day I decided to give it another go and put on the sliced dress and, surprise, it looked amazingly good! The part where I planned on sewing a zipper in, turned out to work very good as a low back neckline. WIN! Chance to show off my tattoo, muhaha. Another tricky part were the sleeves, and I've got the impression that they still don't have quite the same length. Actually, I wouldn't want it any different, because its charme comes from its imperfection. And that's exactly what gives something edges and character.

I wore the dress on friday night, paired with suede boots and a leopard satchelbag,and it surely worked his part pretty well, I could feel the heartbreaker gazing at it. I obtained satisfaction and am now the proud owner of my dream-dress. Nice results from a weekend, init?

Lots of love,

your Holly

Food Avantgardist

One of the bravest food projects in town, the ValeFritz Restaurant is coming to an end on christmas. Called the only avantgardist in town, Vale serves each week a new food adventure, accompanied by fine wine and a cosy atmosphere. We will miss the surprising flavour and texture compositions, the aesthetic presentation and a place that made you feel at home. Other then trying to eat there as many times as possible for the time left, we can only wait for a new ValeFritz Restaurant.

ValeFritz im Dakini's

Brauerstrasse 87

8004 Zürich

hunger@valefritz.ch

All pictures by Pascal Grob