Christian Wijnants Autumn/Winter 2011

Christian Wijnants Autumn/Winter 2011/2012

Topmodel Querelle Jansen shows the Christian Wijnants Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection. Styling by Lotta Volkova and Photographed by Mike Hemy

By Diana KAKKAR, London Editor

[London], November 16, 2011 - I have always been a fan of Antwerp designers.

I hope to go to Belgium soon and discover what that secret ingredient exists which makes these designers so off beat (I would usually go for avant garde here...but that goes without saying!)

The Royal Academy Of Fine Arts in Antwerp has produced quite a few notable designers and artists, and it was in these studios that the Antwerp Six, Vincent Van Gogh and Maison Martin Margiela found themselves.

I have always loved Christian's work, his designs are clean, often minimalistic, and usually let them talk for themselves, but I must say his latest collection has the drama captured by the talented Michael Hemy, who has shot for Louis Vuitton, Dazed and Confused Japan etc.

The collection itself is inspired by by Gerhard Richter's Over painted Photographs, which explains the over layering of the photographs. The central theme still revolves around the flora and fauna, which brings us to reflect on the Nigerian painter Wangechi Mutu, paintings.

The subtle animal motives and prints layer themselves over graphical elements in clean and sharp key pieces, of course the big alpaca cape is something worth dying for.

Known for his knit dresses, there are quite a few chunky knits in subtle colors, which could be a key piece in every woman's wardrobe. The shapes are still clean, some gracefully oversized.

I love the flared androgynous trousers with the soft blouses; the long dresses with the knotted sleeves are just some of the details to look out for from this modernist designer.

The colors are warm and subtle, and stay within the same color family of brick, camel, tobacco etc., as Christian puts it, he wants to capture serenity and beautiful colors compositions of Victor Pasmore in his collection.

Credits:
Photos: Courtesy of Christian Wijnants - www.christianwijnants.be
Model: Topmodel Querelle Jansen
Styling: Lotta Volkova
Photographer: Mike Hemy