Jutter
«Strandjutter» is the name given to collectors of flotsam on the beaches of the West Frisian Islands of Holland. So this is the title that Beth Kottonau gave to her men’s collection, which was developed as a diploma project for the Fachochschule Nordwestschweiz HGK at the Fashion Design Institute in Basel. The name stands for a plethora of multi-layered associations, all of which exercised a defining influence on the development of the collection: seafaring, distance, a hint of impetuosity, weathered sailor’s clothing, old sailing boats with their fibrous cables… All these moods and motifs found expression in the design. This is reflected in the materials and the material combinations, in the choice of colours and in the wide cut of the garments, offering the users a latitude for individual wear in the most literal sense.
Comments of the nominators
A contemporary, powerful and masculine fashion style, one that realises an interesting poetical theme in a convincing manner.
Comments of the jury
The designer experiments in an inventive way with the widest range of techniques and innovative materials. She welds imitation leather, she boils, sews and knits materials into garments. An independent and unusual idiom, in material and formal terms, has been realised with great professionalism. The unique quality of this diploma project results not just from the decided realisation of a theme in the collection itself, but also from the coherence of the overall impression made. The assurance with which Beth Kottonau has succeeded in combining in this collection all aspects of the contemporary «Zeitgeist» cannot fail to impress.
More projects from edition 2007
