Lotte van Stijn
/Show Day
Apr 16, 2023
/Social Media
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.
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What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
From a young age, I enjoyed drawing and designing my own clothes. Studying fashion design at Amsterdam Fashion Institute allowed me to develop those interests into professional skills, while my background in track and field also became an important part of my design perspective.
How would you describe your design style?
The style combines voluminous and feminine silhouettes with elements of sportswear and power suits. Movement and comfort are equally important, creating garments that can feel expressive and powerful while remaining easy to wear.
What can people expect from your collection?
The collection combines voluminous dresses, sportswear elements, and power suits to explore a new approach to power dressing. Striking colours, handmade prints, and feminine silhouettes create garments designed to make the wearer feel powerful while maintaining comfort and freedom of movement.
How does your background as an athlete influence your designs?
Being an athlete has made movement and practicality important parts of the design process. This creates an interesting contrast with an aesthetic that is drawn to large silhouettes and feminine details, allowing the garments to be both expressive and comfortable to move in.
How does sustainability influence your approach to fashion?
Sustainability is considered through material choices, production methods, and the way garments are designed and used. Deadstock and sustainable fabrics are used, while the made to order approach helps reduce waste and allows garments to be tailored to the customer's needs.