AMSTERDAM ACTIVISM/ ANDREA CREWS

for the uninitiated, you NEED, ANDREAS CREWS in your life. Their particular brand of fashion, is described as FASHION & ART ACTIVISM.
They bought this concept to Amsterdam International [really?] Fashion Week. The concept goes like this...take a pile of musty old clothes, make it into a mountain. Invite the local fashionistas to pay 5euros, to select 2-3 pieces, & to take them to the TRANSFORMERS, sitting at their lovely Singer sewing machines, who will make them into an exclusive piece of fashion, only for YOU.
Boiler suit or skirt as a dress madam?
To be honest it had a mixed reception here, since, as the crowd got bigger, & the transformers overwhelmed, they started churning out less than fashionable creations, but at least 2 people from the local Salvation Army, seemed bemused, but impressed!
If you're in Paris' Pigalle area, go & see Maroussia [lookig sultry in above in a blue dress] at the relatively new ANDREAS CREWS STORE.
http://www.andreacrews.com/SPIP/index2.php

HOOD RAT[ATOUILLE]S

yep...more cool Paris kids, this time sis & little brother combo

PRINCESS LEA

Next time you hit Paris [& if you are of the right age & connections] make sure you can check this...An uber-cool party called Madame Danielle, run by some of Paris' youthful, creative zeitgeist. To get that exclusive stamp on your wrist, for which you need to know the promoter, Princess Lea here [the beau of PM from The Shoppings www.theshoppings.net ]. If you get that stamp, then you're at the right place, Club Moune [54 Rue de Pigalle] at the Cabaret Feminin.

Madame Danielle [ madamedanielle@live.fr ].

It entertains Paris' cool/20 somethings, in the most unusual, but appropriate setting, a lesbian club. Everything was doable, from 80's, bleached-blond, nu-Romantic wedged cuts, on a black guy, to the coolest of Skateboard Ps. The music was mashed-up, rock, 80s, Paris electro-pop & hip hop, with amateur dj's contributing to its spontaneous, patched-up feel.

These city youngsters are shaking things up!

PARIS IS BURNING

What the hell's happening in Paris?!

It really seems like one of the flaming hotbeds of European cities at the moment, for youth subcultures. Yes, I guess that if you're already on the pulse, you know about Tektonik, so nothing special there for you.

But there is a feeling of optimism in Paris' Les Halles, that's encapsulated in Clark Magazine [ www.clarkmagazine.com ]

80's hip hop style is properly back. Check out the 3 fans of The Cool Kids below, with their Fresh Prince of Bel Air styling, & Ryan [17] & Germain [16] with their sports jackets, representing the suburbs.

Go to Les Halles & check out the small tucked-away corners & looked out for the police harrassed Tektonik boys & girls, expressing themselves without a care in the world.

Finally, go to Pigalle, to have a look at the [semi] new Andrea Crews store, which slashes Art/Activism/Ethics/Fashion/etc/etc www/andreacrews.com

The right & bright way!

DARYL van WOUW STORE

Over the last few years, we have been witness to a passing of the fashion torch, to another generation. That generation's leading protagonist, is Daryl van Wouw. 

Tonight was the culmination of many years of stressful but creative work, Daryl striding the worlds of sport, blurred with streetwear, blurred with street-couture, for tonight; at 6pm [despite the local police trying to intervene], he opened his first store, on the Prinsengracht. [address to come! sorry!]

With his distinct headphone-clad head logo in Delftesque blue, on pristine-clean-white tiles, all over the store, which clashed beautifully with brightly coloured clothes & accessories, the fashionistas of Amsterdam, blocked the road, & the store interior, to catch the first looks at the store.

The highlight for me, was the first floor, where he put the clothes into lockers. I know, maybe a bit obvious, but it works in the context of the store.

As Daryl really starts to build his brand, this is one hell of a risky but bold start, from someone who continues to out himself out there.

Make sure when you visit Amsterdam, that you go & see the store. It's where you'll find the young hipsters, who especially in Amsterdam, manage to mix sport, street & fashion together...some MUCH better than others!