In Poland, we have a famous saying "You glorify the foreign, but you don't know your own." (The equivalent of the American proverb: "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.") When it comes to appreciation of the local fashion designers in Poland, it is getting better and better but it still hard for them to compete with the strong international fashion brands. Therefore, on this blog, I try from time to time, or as often as it is possible, to help keep my readers informed about the independent designers from all over the world trying to leave their mark on the international fashion arena. This time I would like to introduce you to B Sides Handmade, a Polish knitwear brand with its roots in Podlasie region, very close to my heart as I was born there.
Basia Chrabolowska is a designer and owner of B-Sides established in 2011. The idea for this fashion undertaking was born based on a special bond between grandmother and granddaughter and their unique love for wool. The designer's vision of the brand is based on quality, simplicity, and functionality. She reinvents traditional hand-made craft according to the necessities of the modern times. All clothes and accessories are 100% made of alpaca and merino wool. The current collection, LA Americana FW1516 is inspired by the travels in South America.
When we look at the beautiful photos accompanying the campaign, we find references to the Argentinian cowboys "gauchos," the Colombian region Cauca and vivid colors of the local folklore of Mexico and Peru. The line mostly consists of sweaters, skirts, and dresses, precisely knitted by the knitwear artists in Podlasie region. The clothes are ultra feminine, minimalist and sensual. They can be worn directly on the naked skin, as merino wool has amazing qualities such as the ability to regulate the body temperature, providing warm without overheating the wearer; it is slightly moisture repellent and contains lanolin with anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic qualities and is one of the softest types of wool.
The pictures of the campaign of B Sides promote the beauty of the Polish landscape mixed with influences of the cultures of South America. (The bracelets which are part of the collection were handmade by the local artisans in Colombia.) The entire collection was made in Poland. Fingers crossed for Basia and her supernatural and tradition-curious approach to fashion!!! Please let me know who are your favorite local designers and why you think what they do is unique! Let's try to support them through this holiday season!
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| LA PERUANA SWEATER, B SIDES |
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| EL MEXICANO CARDIGAN, B SIDES |
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| LA PAMPA ARGENTINA PONCHO |
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| LA AMERICANA SKIRT, B SIDES |
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| LA COLOMBIANA SWEATER, B SIDES |
B SIDES - FALL / WINTER 2015/2016
Photographer: Gosia Turczyńska / 76 management
Production: Basia Chrabolowska / B SIDES
www.bsideshandmade.com
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