On this evening I found fresh hope that Switzerland is finally getting more colourful. While the audience was dressed more or less dressed in dark colours, the runway was filled with a (for Zurich) unusual amount of colour. Julia Heuer’s bright rainbow palette joined Jacqueline Loekito’s sweet pastels and Mourjians sparkling sequins. Emerald green was a very prominent colour among several designers and we saw a lot of plissé and knitwear. Diversity was the topic of the evening, models of all shapes, ages and skin tones rocked the catwalk and questioned stereotypical gender roles.

Jacqueline Loekito:
You We Us

The third collection of Swiss-based British/Indonesian designer Jacqueline Loekito presented at Mode Suisse is inspired by Picasso’s painting Acrobat and Young Harlekin and dominated by pastel blue and pink with diamond patterns. The classical baby colours are a perfect choice for her favourite topic: The questioning of gender roles. No matter your gender, love unites us, is her message. Don’t be fooled: Jacqueline doesn’t just put men into women’s clothes, she sweeps the borders between completely away. While her last collection was a loud and angry scream, this one shows a softer and calmer version of her themes, surprising and refreshing. Her accessories deserve another mention: My craving of the eve goes to her heart-shaped bag and the big amazing hats. Want!

Amorphose:
Will Spring Come to Me?

Lugano-based designer Giancarlo Bello asks if spring will come to him and gives the answer himself: Yes, it’s already here and it’s this beautiful collection of exquisitely handcrafted outfits, some of them more sculptures than just looks. The designer was inspired by the metamorphosis of a young woman and translated his feelings into feathers and lace, fresh green shades as well as feminine red. I think everybody in the audience remembered the moment from his last show when model Toni Dreher stepped onto the catwalk wearing a red round shield in front of her, this time her shield was green and made of springlike plants as a warrior of grace from the mind of Amorphose.

Julia Heuer:
Superbloom

Julia Heuer’s show was the first one and a strong promise of an evening full of excitement. Julia did what she can do best: Her vibrant Prints and unique Japanese Shibori plissé, combined with simple cuts that don’t take the attention from the beauty of the fabrics. The former head of print design of Jakob Schläpfer just knows what she does and stays true to herself. Please just don’t stop doing more dear Julia. I would wear every single piece of this collection straight away, it’s happy fashion for sophisticated people.

Mourjjan:
Circus of Life

Mourjjan’s circus is an elegant and sparkling collection of diamond-pattern, generously used sequins and a play between creating big volume and sext cuts, fierce and gentle at the same time. The flowing creations of the Roland Rahal are made to brighten up party nights with their glamour. While their last collection was in rather dark colours, this one features a bright and absolutely stunning colour palette that makes me love it much more. It’s fashion for a modern woman who is neither angel or demon, but unites the ambivalence of our world with its million of facets in her soul and looks.

The probably best thing about Mode Suisse besides the show is always the company. Thanks to those two for sharing the excitement with me. Doesn’t Cherry Greta rock that Vixen by Micheline Pitt leather skirt?

Pictures: Courtesy of Mode Suisse by Alexander Palacios

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Day after day we dress up to cover ourselves. Are we doing this to hide our own vulnerability? Today, my world is upside down, my dress from Swiss designer Jacqueline Loekito reveals what inside of me, hidden beneath my skin: My organs, the machine that makes this body functio.

There is a poetry in this look and rarely ever a dress inspired me to think so much about its concept while it still manages to make me feel beautiful wearing it. I see it as a symbol of the beauty of evanescence and fragility. But a positive symbol that takes away the fear and replaces if with the suggestion to go out, sip pink champagne and forget about our mortality.

In my opinion, Swiss designer Jacqueline Loekito managed the almost impossible when she created this dress: Bringing together a philosophical concept about life and death and making it look glamourous.

When I was wearing the dress for the first time, one of the sleeves was closed and I couldn’t move my left arm for the whole eve. I loved the uniqueness of this shape and how it transformed me in an almost inhuman way. But I couldn’t text or grab money from my wallet. Jacqueline changed the dress for me to give me my second arm back so I could snap stories during fashion shows. Me and my organs are happy now.

By the way: Jacqueline Loekito is presenting her new collection at Mode Suisse in Zurich on the 31 August. Can’t wait to see her new creations. Are you curious too?

My Outfit
Dress: Jacqueline Loekito, Sunglasses: Sunglass Spot, Shoes: Vivienne Westwood x Melissa,
Bag: Lulu Guiness, Bangles: Les Georgettes by Altesse, Earrings: Sophie Cochevelou

Pictures: Marco Borromeo.

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Dear Viviane, I didn’t know you, but I imagine you were beautiful, strong and smart. Sadly you passed away before your time, cancer stole you from this world.

While the world is a more silent place without your laugh, your memory stays with us. You found immortality through fashion, in Jacqueline Loekito’s collection Viviane’s Last Kiss that is a celebration of your life. And what a collection it is: Full of colours, bold shaped and the unambiguous message “Fuck Cancer”.

Here I am, Sara, standing in a (more or less) enchanted garden in your city Basel, wearing the wedding dress from your homage collection. My face is hidden behind a pink veil, so I am halfway Sara, halfway Viviane – like a ghost between the worlds. I’m borrowing you my skin for a moment, turn into a symbol of you for a few minutes captured by the camera to remember the people who loved about you. I step into your shoes and walk a path your feet might have touched when you visited your friend Jacqueline. Dear Viviane, what we have in common is the love for pink, a dear common friend called Jacqueline and the kiss of a pink veil.

 Thank you, Viviane, for letting me be the bride for an afternoon.

My Outfit
Dress with veil and Shoes:Jacqueline Loekito, Tights: Falke

Pictures: Cherry Greta/Jacqueline Loekito

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How much time do you spend doing what fills you with joy and how much is taken for obligatory tasks? Does the ratio feel balanced or do you wish to be less exhausted or overwhelmed by numerous demands and to-dos?

Honestly, I often wish I had more time for myself or imagine there was a second me who could take care of certain things in my life. Most of the time it’s not the others who put pressure on me, but myself. I want to have a clean home, perfectly died hair, ironed bedsheets, healthy food, and perfect Instagram pictures, while being a good friend, daughter, girlfriend, neighbour and much more at the same time.

Sometimes it’s frustrating that it seems impossible to fulfil all the roles in my life to the hilt and I end up running after things while cutting the time I have for myself on behalf of other tasks. I don’t read the book I anticipated to read for ages, I don’t turn on my telly to watch that movie from my watch list or skip my weekly face mask or don’t turn up at the gym. Even worse: Sometimes I forget to enjoy the fun while thinking of my long to-do list awaiting me when I come home. But then I ask myself why don’t we grant ourselves more time to just do what makes us utterly happy or gives us pleasure and peace? Because in the end isn’t it that what counts? Nobody cares if your laundry is not all ironed or if your windows are spotless.

So let’s stop the guilt of not ticking off all the bullets on the to-do-list and spend more time enjoying. Live your life and don’t let the task lists rule!

This post is an example for taking the time: We shot the pictures a few weeks ago when there was still snow on the ground and I got very excited about how well the colours of my hair and the coat fit with the location. I haven’t shown them to you until now because of prioritizing to edit looks with gifted items. So here we are, the snow is gone and I finally I took the liberty of showing you my dream winter coat while everybody is longing for summer already. But you know what: I feel great and that’s priceless. Next time, I shall do what I love earlier!

My Outfit
Coat: Shrimps, Top: Nina Yuun, Skirt: Vintage, Boots: Dr. Martens, Hat: Manor,
Bag and Choker: H&M x Moschino, Tights: Calzedonia  

Pictures: Marco Borromeo

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The whole show, I was sitting on my chair with a big wide grin when collection after collection passed the catwalk to drumming beats and not a single one was about simplicity. Yes, the topics of the moment such as playing with genders and sustainability were present too, but not in a dull or oversaturated way. This is what I wanted to see for a long time in Switzerland. Players, you used your cards very well!

Let me share my favourite moments with you:

Janine Reitmann
What you have killed you must also love

One of the most iconic moments of the show was when the model wearing this look stepped on the catwalk. It was like an unknown painting by surrealist painter Magritte has come alive and started to breathe. Most models had their faces hidden behind fabrics and there was a melancholic beauty in the air. Were they beautiful corpses or artworks coming alive? Either way it was absolutely magical, theatrical and a moment of fashion that will linger on my mind for a long time!

Victoria Waltisperg 
You say Witch like it`s a bad thing

A very strong collection about sisterhood, feminity, and sensuality. The models looked like mystical goddesses, wearing Victoria’s creations and the symbol of the all-seeing and the closed eye was omnipresent. Witches see the outer and the inner world and this is the fashion for strong, confident women. “Poor are those who cannot see,” it said on a veil and I’d say who doesn’t see the beauty of this collection is poor indeed.

Jana Colic 
It will be once upon a time

My fav look of the whole evening was part of the pastel-coloured collection of Jana, who created her own world driven by nostalgia and gratitude for the two worlds – Western and the Serbian – where she is at home. I fell in love with the dichotomy between voluminous shapes transforming bodies and the cheekiness of revealing skin. And of course this wonderful cloud print. Can I wear them, please?

Lida Nobakht 
More is More

What better thing could happen than when your life motto is turned into a collection? Lida wanted to create sovereignty by adding more fabrics to her looks and came up with a colourful and playful collection. She was inspired by Iranian artist Monir and her mirror artworks as well as the love for Iran, where Lida’s roots lie. A bright collection with artful accessories that unites heritage and modernity. I’m sure Lida’s idol Monir would love it too!

Eva-Maria Schmid
Revue

A collection dedicated to a new club called Revue, where the bouncers wear colourful clothing and all guests are dressed in the vibrant creations of Eva-Maria. For sure all eyes would be on the girl dancing to rave music while wearing this amazing voluminous dress with the wild print mix. She would be the star of the club. This is how a modern, techno-crazy Marie Antoinette would look!

Last but not least: 
I love my fashion gang

If life would be a never-ending fashion show I’d be the happiest girl on earth! When the hammering music fills the halls and the models walk in I’m excited. But not just because of the inspiring looks that are far from what you see on the street, but as well since wherever there is a fashion show, my gang is not far away. Thank you Jacqueline Loekito, Gerold Brenner and Cherry Greta for being my quirky crowd!

Pictures: Elisabeth Pantaleo / NOWFASHION

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Newspapers might ask where the market for this edginess and forwardness might be, I say this is just what we need: Bold inspiration, designers that are not afraid of stepping out of mainstream boredom and create for the sake of fashion as an art instead of seeing their trade as a money machine. Let me show you my favorite moments:

Amorphose:
New Silhouettes for Heroines

Designer Giancarlo Bello put the audience under a spell with his feminine and dramatic collection. His play with the silhouette and his vision of women as strong yet beautiful creatures is extraordinary. Especially the red futuristic look (worn by Toni Dreher, winner of Germany’s Next Top Model) who surrounds its wearer with a kind of a red shield was amazing in his freshness and visual boldness.

Jacqueline Loekito:
Heartbreak in Pink and Red

Dedicated to a dear friend who died from cancer, Jaqueline Loekito’s collection is not what you expect from a traditional mourning outfit: The Basel-based designer stays true to her favourite colours red and pink and her habit of breaking gender rules. Statements like “Fuck Cancer” and broken hearts are part of the bittersweet looks. Long lives the hope that the most extraordinary knitwear on the catwalk will heal hurt hearts!

Rafael Kouto:
Upcycling the future

The collection of Locarno-based designer Kouto is a wild fusion of cultures, colours, shapes, and fabrics: Africa meets the West in his upcycled creations made of mass-produced and discarded garments. It was refreshing how new old can be in a throw-away society. We need more of this as an alternative to current production!

Mourjjan:
The Roaring Times are Back

Zurich/Mykonos-based designers Roland Rahal and Raphael Muntinga presented their creations of luxury, glitter, glam and chic. The new collection featured their take on a beaded flapper dress bringing up pictures of the Roaring Twenties and this showstopper of a dress. 20s meets the now and it’s wow!

Forbidden Denimeries: 
A new approach to masculinity

If you ever doubted if men should wear skirts, here is the final reason why they should! Newcomer Mikael Vilchez shared a new vision of a modern man that was refreshing and far from stereotypes with us. This denim look and how it combines sportiness with feminine masculinity is what dreams are made of!

Quynh Bui:
Fading in Vibrance

While the collection of Head Genèva alumni Quynh Bui was inspired by 19th- and 20th-century workwear and featured a lot of denim, this orange splash of an outfit excited me most. The designer combines used and new materials, giving a new life to the existing pieces. The whole collection is sustainable and wants to bring awareness to a fabric that is a major contributor to pollution.

Last but not least:
The company

Besides being thrilled by the shows, what I love about events like this is the company of like-minded fashion people. It’s like a family meeting where everybody gathers together, like Christmas in fashion. I spent the eve with two of the best people in the universe, Gerold Brenner and Cherry Greta and enjoyed to see a lot of lovely faces during the eve. It was a blast, thank you Mode Suisse, please come back soon!

Pictures: Mode Suisse Edition 15 Alexander Palacios/Eduard Meltzer

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When you are invited to a crazy high tea party with a bunch of the coolest fashion people in the country, you know this is gonna be even better than the Mad Hatter’s festivities! 

Diana Rikasari, Gerold Brenner, Marc du Murier and I went down all the way the rabbit hole and found a wonderland in pink and red, hidden in Basel. We lost ourselves, playing dress-up with Jacqueline Loekito’s new collection “Papin Madness”.

Clothes: Jacqueline Loekito
Models: Diana Rikasari, Gerold Brenner, Marc du Murier

Pictures: Romanos Theodoridis

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