One To Watch from Fashionclash Festival Maastricht 2016. It´s graduation season and one of my favourite graduation collections comes this year from Victoria Sophie Keller. Like each year the students from the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design presented their final collection to the international press and fashion lovers. German born Victoria Sophie Keller surprised me with her kidswear collection. Normally I am not into fashion for little monsters. But her design is different, fresh, fashion forward. What a talent. I had a little chat with her about her work and her fashion vision. Photos by Team Peter Stigter
The unclear images of my childhood
Name: Victoria Sophie Keller / Age: 24 / Hometown: Duesseldorf / Kidswear / Social Media: Instagram
Hello. Welcome to KALTBLUT. Why have you decided to participate at FASHIONCLASH Festival?
VSK: The graduates from MAFAD get the chance to participate at FASHIONCLASH with their final collection because it is a great chance for us to put ourselves out there as young designers. We worked really hard on our collection and this gives us the chance you show our work.
Can you tell us something about the collection you presented at the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016? What was your inspiration?
VSK: The inspiration for my collection were my fading childhood memories. The unclear images of my childhood are morphing together and create a nostalgic feeling where you just want to be young again. Moreover I was inspired by the fading of different life phases since you are never in a certain phase, you are always in between stages of your life.
What kind of material did you used for the collection?
VSK: I used a lot of natural materials like cotton, wool and silk in combination with coated fabrics and plastic. Furthermore I developed my own textiles with different techniques like patchwork, knitting and embroidery.
What challenges did you face during the design process?
VSK: It was the first time that I designed a collection for children. This was definitely the biggest challenge since I am not used to the proportions. But after the first two fittings I got a feeling for it. I could not be happier with my decision to design clothes for children.
How would you describe yourself and your work?
VSK: My work is always playful and fun, and you can see the attention to detail in it. I would say that I am the combination of a fashion and textile designer since I enjoy to develop my own fabrics and prints. Moreover colour plays a really important role in my designs since colours can translate a certain feeling to the customers.
Tell us about your journey that led you to this point.
VSK: My journey was not easy since I had a totally different view on fashion when I began my studies. For me it was very difficult to let go of that image and to step out of my comfort zone. But I kept on fighting and I stayed stubborn. Being a designer is my dream and I never did let go of it no matter how hard it got or how many people told me that I could not do this.
What would you say this is the biggest influence to your design process?
VSK: A big influence to my design process was fun. I want to create pieces that are fun to wear, fun to look at and that make the customer and me happy. Being a designer is something that I have chosen to become because it makes me happy so I want my designs to translate this happiness to the outside world.
If you had not become a fashion designer, what would you do instead?
VSK: My plan B was always to become a teacher for primary schools because I think that good education is really important. Also I enjoy to work with children. During my school years I earned my money by teaching children gymnastics.
Who’s your dream client?
VSK: My dream client would be a confident young girl with a tomboy edge. She is not shy and definitely not quiet. My girl would be around five to eight years old and she is a brave young girl.
What was the first item you have ever designed? And who was the lucky one to get it?
VSK: It was a self-made t-shirt with a print on it that said “It’s true, I’m a NINJA”. I made it for my older sister Anna.
What can we expect from you in near future?
VSK: I want to move to Berlin and find a label for children clothes where I could intern since I want to get more experience in that area. I am also thinking about applying for a master’s degree in textile design to learn more about different techniques for creating your own fabric.
Where can we buy your fashion?
VSK: At the moment all my pieces are unique. You have to contact me directly via e-mail to buy one of my pieces. (victoria.sophie.keller@gmx.de)
Tell us something about your time at MAFAD. How important is a school for a young designer?
VSK: I think a good school and education is really important for a young designer. You will learn different techniques and skills during this time and you are getting coached by great teachers that have a lot of experience in fashion. At MAFAD we also had amazing workshops in fashion illustration and draping of fabrics. In these four years I have learned a lot about fashion, textile and also about me as a designer, which I probably would not have been able to without this education.
Interview by Marcel Schlutt
Photos by Team Peter Stigter
fashionclash.nl
Mafad.nl
