From the VFW website -
After graduating Amsterdam Fashion Institute cum laude with a BA in Fashion & Textile Technologies this June in 2022, Lotte van Stijn started her own label. During her studies, Lotte started to research how her passion of track & field influences her design DNA. Next to the practical approach to fashion with sportswear, she is also inspired by feminine and voluminous silhouettes. This resulted in her graduation collection ‘l’unité dans la féminité’, which she will show this Vancouver Fashion Week with some extra designed looks.
The collection showcases a new kind of power dressing: clothing to take up space in a masculine world and to make you feel powerful. It displays femininity and feminine dressing as something powerful and equal to masculinity. By mixing voluminous dresses, elements of sportswear and power suits, Lotte’s own version of power dressing was created. The collection is not only made to physically take up space with the pieces, but also visually by using very striking colours and handmade prints. Being an athlete herself, movement and comfort are as equally important to the designer as aesthetics and voluminous silhouettes. It doesn’t matter how big the silhouettes are, you will always be able to run in and feel comfortable in them.
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.
After graduating this June from AMFI, I didn’t think I would be working as a freelance designer by now. I actually wanted to work for some brands before starting my own, but organically I got asked for a few projects and learned that I actually could do this on my own. That’s when I chose to start as a freelance designer and I am very glad I did.
How did you learn your skills?
From a young age, I have always drawn and designed my own clothes in sketchbooks that I took everywhere. When choosing what to study after high school, I knew I wanted to study fashion design. Before starting my BA Fashion & Design at AMFI (Amsterdam Fashion Institute), I took a gap year to develop my creative thinking process, and took sewing lessons in basic sewing.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
I would say the easiest for me, are the colours and use of prints. When making prints and choosing colours, I follow my instinct. Most of the time it isn’t a choice, but a very strong feeling. The hardest, but also the most fun part, is translating my concept and research into clothes. My story and values need to be translated in every little detail, so this takes a lot of time and a lot of trial and error.
.png "photo fashion designs by lotte van stijn")
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?
Most of the time, I start with a vague idea or feeling. I will research everything that has to do with this idea, from reading articles, to visiting museums to collecting visual references. I try to mix visual inspiration with text to really get a solid concept and story.
Where can readers purchase your designs?
When graduating last June, I never expected to be here at this point of showing at Vancouver Fashion Week. When I started as a freelance designer in November, I also started selling selfmade bags on my own website www.lottevanstijn.com/shop, made from deadstock fabrics.
After graduating Amsterdam Fashion Institute cum laude with a BA in Fashion & Textile Technologies this June in 2022, Lotte van Stijn started her own label. During her studies, Lotte started to research how her passion of track & field influences her design DNA. Next to the practical approach to fashion with sportswear, she is also inspired by feminine and voluminous silhouettes. This resulted in her graduation collection ‘l’unité dans la féminité’, which she will show this Vancouver Fashion Week with some extra designed looks.
The collection showcases a new kind of power dressing: clothing to take up space in a masculine world and to make you feel powerful. It displays femininity and feminine dressing as something powerful and equal to masculinity. By mixing voluminous dresses, elements of sportswear and power suits, Lotte’s own version of power dressing was created. The collection is not only made to physically take up space with the pieces, but also visually by using very striking colours and handmade prints. Being an athlete herself, movement and comfort are as equally important to the designer as aesthetics and voluminous silhouettes. It doesn’t matter how big the silhouettes are, you will always be able to run in and feel comfortable in them.
Interview -
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.
After graduating this June from AMFI, I didn’t think I would be working as a freelance designer by now. I actually wanted to work for some brands before starting my own, but organically I got asked for a few projects and learned that I actually could do this on my own. That’s when I chose to start as a freelance designer and I am very glad I did.
From a young age, I have always drawn and designed my own clothes in sketchbooks that I took everywhere. When choosing what to study after high school, I knew I wanted to study fashion design. Before starting my BA Fashion & Design at AMFI (Amsterdam Fashion Institute), I took a gap year to develop my creative thinking process, and took sewing lessons in basic sewing.
During my four years at AMFI I really developed every skill needed in fashion design, from pattern drafting and sewing, to designing a collection and telling a story. It was a lot to learn within a short time, but I feel like it gave me a very solid base as a designer.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
During my studies at AMFI, I realized my unique viewpoint on fashion. Since I was 6, I have always done track & field. Practicality and being able to move is very important to me as an athlete, but off the track my aesthetic on fashion is completely different. I am attracted to big silhouettes and feminine details, so basically everything unpractical when you compare it to sportswear.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
During my studies at AMFI, I realized my unique viewpoint on fashion. Since I was 6, I have always done track & field. Practicality and being able to move is very important to me as an athlete, but off the track my aesthetic on fashion is completely different. I am attracted to big silhouettes and feminine details, so basically everything unpractical when you compare it to sportswear.
This juxtaposition is always on the back of my mind when designing. I am designing for women like me, who are outspoken and want to dress feminine, but still feel comfortable in the clothing they are wearing. I really want to be a designer and brand that people think of when they hear the term modern femininity.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
I would say the easiest for me, are the colours and use of prints. When making prints and choosing colours, I follow my instinct. Most of the time it isn’t a choice, but a very strong feeling. The hardest, but also the most fun part, is translating my concept and research into clothes. My story and values need to be translated in every little detail, so this takes a lot of time and a lot of trial and error.
.png "photo fashion designs by lotte van stijn")
Most of the time, I start with a vague idea or feeling. I will research everything that has to do with this idea, from reading articles, to visiting museums to collecting visual references. I try to mix visual inspiration with text to really get a solid concept and story.
Researching historic fashion references is extremely important and inspiring to me, because how can I design a new idea if I don’t know the history of a certain garment? I wouldn’t really say I ‘find’ inspiration, but I collect a lot of different things and to see if I can make logical connections and translate this in a story. When I have my story and concept ready, I chose the visual direction I want to follow. This is when the colours come up. Colours are very important to my process and collection, you’ll never see me making a black and white collection.
Readers would love to know more about the current collection you showed at Vancouver Fashion Week.
I will show my graduation collection - ‘l’unité dans la féminité’ - together with some extra looks.
The collection showcases a new kind of power dressing: clothing to take up space in a masculine world and to make you feel powerful. It displays femininity and feminine dressing as something powerful and equal to masculinity.
Readers would love to know more about the current collection you showed at Vancouver Fashion Week.
I will show my graduation collection - ‘l’unité dans la féminité’ - together with some extra looks.
The collection showcases a new kind of power dressing: clothing to take up space in a masculine world and to make you feel powerful. It displays femininity and feminine dressing as something powerful and equal to masculinity.
By mixing voluminous dresses, elements of sportswear and power suits, my own version of power dressing was created. I wanted to use this collection to research how I can voice my opinion on feminism and femininity, but on my own terms. I’m normally not the one that is the loudest in the room, and see my calmness as a strength. When designing this collection, I wanted to translate this in the designs.
The collection is not only made to physically take up space with the pieces, but also visually by using very striking colours and handmade prints. Being an athlete myself, movement and comfort are as equally important to me as aesthetics and voluminous silhouettes. It doesn’t matter how big the silhouettes are, you will always be able to run in and feel comfortable in them.
Do you have a favorite look in this collection?
No I don’t actually! Making a collection of eight looks for the first time, I can say that I love every look, and I am very proud of each because of different reasons. From making the patterns, to sewing the technical details of the tailored jackets, to the story of every little detail… I really can’t choose.
No I don’t actually! Making a collection of eight looks for the first time, I can say that I love every look, and I am very proud of each because of different reasons. From making the patterns, to sewing the technical details of the tailored jackets, to the story of every little detail… I really can’t choose.
When graduating last June, I never expected to be here at this point of showing at Vancouver Fashion Week. When I started as a freelance designer in November, I also started selling selfmade bags on my own website www.lottevanstijn.com/shop, made from deadstock fabrics.
Sustainability is incredibly important to me, from the fabrics chosen to the use of the designs. For now my clothing designs are not for sale, but I am looking into using a made-to-order system. When I do start selling my clothing, I want to be as sustainable as possible, reduce the most waste as possible and ensure that the clothing is tailored to the need of the client in terms of sizing and fit.
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
I hope my next step as a designer will be designing a new collection, working with the story of my graduation collection and translating this in new designs. I really look forward to develop myself as a designer after AMFI, to learn more about my own instinct when designing and using that knowledge in a new collection. I would also love to sell my designs in limited quantity as mentioned before, and to grow as a brand.
Links -
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
I hope my next step as a designer will be designing a new collection, working with the story of my graduation collection and translating this in new designs. I really look forward to develop myself as a designer after AMFI, to learn more about my own instinct when designing and using that knowledge in a new collection. I would also love to sell my designs in limited quantity as mentioned before, and to grow as a brand.
Links -
- Website - www.lottevanstijn.com
- Instagram - @lotte.van.stijn
- Instagram - @lottevanstijn
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