Knitprint

I'm generally not a fan of trompe l'oeil as a style of print on items of clothing. Basically it calls to mind those most tacky of aprons where the big beer-gutted burger flipper is supposed to be mistaken for a slim bikinied woman one-third of his size. However, when the use of trompe l'oeil is actually handcrafted art that showcases something you do want to stare at and don't want barbeque sauce to promptly be spilled on, that is another matter altogether. Such is the case of Adel Kovac's diploma project, entitled 'Knitprint' (and yes, this is the very same Adel of LoveCarpet). Here Adel has not only created a collection of lovely handknit pieces, but also more ready-to-wear type garments that each have a photo of one of the knit pieces printed onto them. While I've seen something similar to this done before, Adel's decision to incorporate not just 2D photos of the pieces but 3D-ish lookbook photos (i.e. with a model wearing the garment) makes the effect quite charming. In fact, I think I'd prefer to have one of those printed pieces. Just think of all the fun one could have with layering and colour-blocking (assuming you don't have a pair of canary-yellow leggings in your drawer). Sure, you'll look like you have four arms when wearing it, but at least you'll have an extra set of hands to help keep your dress from flying up in the wind.

(Photos via NJAL)

LoveCarpet, S/S 11

The Googles must be broken, or at least in bed with a cold, because I was sure that I had written about Adel Kovacs before (because I did!), and yet my search box yielded 'No Results' to all but one Adel-related search term. Ah well. All that matters is: Adel (being the designer behind Hungarian label LoveCarpet and connected with that magical k e p p showroom) has a lovely new collection (S/S 11) with pieces (in my second favorite colour) which require a second look and yet also seem familiar. Hence why I like it even though me and chalk dust don't get along, and hence why Adel is featured on the 'cover' of NJAL this week. Here are my favorite pieces from the collection:

The leggings/skirt hybrid. No big deal.

This silhouette reminds me of the ethereal Cate Blanchett in that gold studded McQueen dress.

If I had to re-enact one of my elementary track and field days set in a lingerie store, this would be my outfit.

I've grown partial to this shape because of the cg Wave T, and I'm intrigued by pairing it with a slimmer skirt (or a leggings/skirt hybrid) on the bottom.

By the way, do kids even know what chalk dust is these days?

LoveCarpet

It appears as though I blogged too quickly the other day, as I discovered some more things about those delightfully springy pictures from Dori Tomcsanyi. No, the photos above aren't also from Dori's new collection, but from the S/S 10 collection of a related label called LoveCarpet by designer Adel Kovacs, who shares the same artistic space as Dori, called k e p p showroom. You might have seen pictures of the Love Carpet A/W 10 'Hardtag Dress' floating around the Internets, as I know I've come across it a few times in my travels. Upon re-finding it again, I've decided that buying this dress would be the best way to prevent shopping sprees, at least in brick-and-mortar shops. Why is that, you say? Well, according to the description in The Shop, "these security tags are really working, so the dress is not recommended for shopping around." This is Adel's response to fast fashion, and I love it. I also adore the S/S 09 collection, seen below. It features both actual plastic hangtags and hangtag prints on nude fabrics, and lovely large knit pieces. I need that wardrobe, with all its contents included. Anyone else want to venture to Hungary with me?