An interview and editorial from our new digital issue! Netherlands based designer and KALTBLUT fam-fav Teun Seuren unleashed another successfully explosive collection for AW21, entitled Pick My Flowers, They’re Wild presented at FashionClash, bursting with unapologetic queerness from head to toe, henny. Petals were flowing, prints were popping and shapes were served in Electra Abundance. Delivering inclusivity in isolation and finding inspiration in drag communities and the beauty of the natural world, Seuren gives us the revelation of you do you variety we so desperately need right now.
Words Lewis Robert Cameron @lrcfashionstylist
Photography Gijs van de Veerdonk @gijsvdvd
Fashion Teun Seuren @teun_seuren
Makeup + Hair Vito Armando @vito.armando
Models Jules Jaden Avery @julesjadenavery Wouter Rave @w.rave, Aryelle Freeman @aryellefreeman_hopelezz
Jewellery design Simone Schampers @sisijohanna
Gloves Jeanne Hermans @cest_jeanne
Nail art Manon Van Eldik @manon_elvera
Assistant Robin Promma @r.b.n_
Special thanks to Fashionclash @fashionclash_festival
Pick My Flowers, They’re Wild
Hi Teun, long time no speak. How have you been?
Hey KALTBLUT, yes indeed. I am doing wonderful, thanks for asking. I have lots of exciting projects coming up, and I am starting a small production line. So I don’t have any complaints.
Wow, you have been busy! That is amazing news and congrats on the new collection also.
Thank you very much. It was such a strange yet amazing show this time. Fully digital this year, which was pretty exciting.
What was the inspiration behind the name of the collection?
The main inspiration was my love for wildflowers and nature. Particularly how each plant lives its own life without necessarily getting in the way of others. Also, the fascinating occurrence of weeds sprouting out from between the pavement and flowering de- spite all adversity. The power of standing out, living your own life without interference from others.
How do you think recent world events have impacted and influenced you as a designer and more specifically, this collection?
I’ve developed myself more as a person and started getting into the world of drag. I realized this lock-down is actually a mirror of how society deals with people who renounce social norms. People whose appearance does not conform to social norms and standards can also feel isolated a large majority of the time. This was a starting point for the collection in which I offer a platform for diversity and identity, where we can create a safe space to be ourselves no matter what. I want to make people feel good with my clothes. Let them feel and enjoy their identity while being absolutely fabulous.
This collection feels a lot softer and more sensual than your previous collections. Why do you think this is?
I agree, this collection is indeed a lot softer than the previous collection. In this collection, my focus was very much on putting together a beautiful bouquet of colours and structures. Everything in the collection has a warm side, which makes it a lot soft- er. Which makes it very sensual. But along fake nail here or an obscuring mask there makes it refined, but also hot and sexy.
I love the powerful silhouettes and contrasting elements you have included. Tell me more about these specific choices?
After the success of my previous collection, and the further development of myself as a designer, I wanted to implement all these new skills I’ve gained throughout the process. I brought back various items from the previous collection. Like the femme biker peplum jacket. But this time with a full-length mermaid skirt. I also wanted to experiment more with movement and how clothing can respond to it. The look with the ocher yellow jacket and peacock print ruffles in combination with the leopard print mesh top and pants is a perfect example. Even while standing still it is already an impressive look, but once in motion the look comes to life and it almost looks like a coral reef swaying in the current of the ocean. The same goes for the soft biker helmet, while headbanging, the ruffles tend to bounce in a hypnotizing swirl, like wind blowing through a field.
Read the full interview with Teun in our new issue:
Words Lewis Robert Cameron @lrcfashionstylist
Photography Gijs van de Veerdonk @gijsvdvd
Fashion Teun Seuren @teun_seuren
Makeup + Hair Vito Armando @vito.armando
Models Jules Jaden Avery @julesjadenavery Wouter Rave @w.rave, Aryelle Freeman @aryellefreeman_hopelezz
Jewellery design Simone Schampers @sisijohanna
Gloves Jeanne Hermans @cest_jeanne
Nail art Manon Van Eldik @manon_elvera
Assistant Robin Promma @r.b.n_
Special thanks to Fashionclash @fashionclash_festival
