The uniqueness of the Amberif Fashion and Amber Gala lies precisely in the designers„ collaborative work on the collection, jointly coordinating individual elements to create a cohesive whole. That's why they often start their work several months before the premiere in Gdańsk. Spectacular creations for grand occasions, as well as everyday fashion ideas, are presented on the catwalk at the Baltic Philharmonic. ”The Gala is primarily meant to be a suggestion for presenting jewellery and fashion, an inspiration for women, and a hint on how to skilfully and imaginatively combine these two elements," assures Ewa Rachoń, project manager of the Amberif trade fair. These fashion and jewellery inspirations will not be lacking this year either.
This is the third time – after very well-received collections „Orange” i „The Stars of Heweliusz” – At the Gala, a trio will present their joint collection: Jola Słoma & Mirek Trymbulak (clothing) and Danuta Kruczkowska Jewellery. „The collection will refer to EURO 2012; we're considering using white and red colours, with references to football and amber,” announces Mirek Trymbulak.
On the catwalk, you will also be able to see a collection Joanny Weyny (clothing) and Lis², namely Aneta Lis-Marcinkiewicz and Adriana Lisowska (jewellery). Last year, this trio's collection, titled „In the shadow” gathered very flattering reviews at the Amberif gala. And while linen reigned supreme then, this year the outfits will be made from stretchy, flowing knits that accentuate the figure. The clothes are paired with organically shaped amber jewellery. Bracelets complement the cut of the dresses, and brooches and necklaces make full use of the draping on the silhouettes. The looks will be completed with clutch bags made from leather and adorned with amber. The outfits and jewellery are in the colour palette proposed by world designers for spring 2012: white, black, red, flesh tones, and earth tones.
Mirka Dworak (clothing) formed a creative partnership with Romanem Kowalkowskim (jewellery). The designer has visited Gdańsk before – it's enough to mention her show on Długi Targ, when, as part of the city's millennium celebrations, she presented a collection inspired by tenement houses during Amber Day. The leitmotif of this year's show will be the reversal of clothing forms. Thus, the standard construction form of trousers will be used to reconstruct a jacket. „Playing with classic tailoring – through the surprising use and mixing of basic elements from different product groups to build interesting combinations, e.g., a skirt with a collar, or even building entire clothing forms from other garments – this is a kind of clothing puzzle,” says Mirka Dworak. She adds: „Changing the functionality makes clothes timeless and universal.” Is this the final version? Probably not, only our imagination sets the limits...
The dominant colour scheme will be navy, blue jeans, white, khaki, stone, and black.
According to Mirka Dvorak, working in a duo with a jewellery designer is incredibly inspiring. „This tandem tends to have an excess of creative proposals, which, due to the formula of the Amberif fair, we are unable to present in their entirety,” she admits. She adds: „It is an undoubted pleasure to collaborate with a jewellery designer who artistically fits well with the aesthetics of the clothing collection I am proposing.”.
Ilona Kanclerz, A fashion creator, an avant-gardist, working on the border of art and utility, she has been the curator of a nationwide exhibition for debut fashion designers for ten years. In her projects, she uses the language of contemporary media. Her „Nike” collection will be presented as a duo with jewellery. Thank you Czapnik, an artist well-known to Amberif trade fair attendees, who has received numerous awards and whose creations strongly reflect her personality. The „Nike” collection – inspired by ancient culture – will, in fact, be a multimedia spectacle. Nike is a metaphor for important, yet often completely unnoticed, matters. Natural luxurious fabrics in muted colour palettes work wonderfully with a modern approach to clothing. „In a poetic way, it shows beauty; the sublime line of the material flows around the models in a Greek style, creating an extraordinary sculptural impression,” says Ilona Kanclerz. „In opposition to the historical approach, I use contemporary construction netting, creating beautiful, surprising spatial forms.”
We will see corsets adorned with amber, flowers, and finally wings… The ascetic nature of the costumes will be complemented by jewellery decorated with amber, diamonds and rubies set in handcrafted pendants, earrings and tiaras.
The Fashion and Amber Gala Amberif has become an established fixture in the trade fair landscape, serving as a sort of solemn culmination of the event. It has accompanied the fair since its inception, growing over 19 editions to become an event of international significance. „Amberif is the only jewellery trade fair on a global scale that has consistently been accompanied by fashion shows year after year,” emphasises Ewa Rachoń.
Amberif 2012 Fashion and Amber Gala
Baltic Philharmonic in Gdańsk
21 March 2012
Tickets available from the organiser
The article used press materials.