Ghent-based Femke Thijs is 23 years old and is currently studying at ESMOD in Paris. Her creations have won awards before, with Femke winning the Hat Trophy at Waregem Koerse earlier this year.
Where did your passion for fashion originate?
My passion came from several role models in my life. Both of my grandmothers and my mother are involved in fashion. But also Tilly, a hat maker I know, and Olga from the vintage store MADAM are inspiring women. They, along with many other women, have each taught me something about fashion in their own way. And all these puzzle pieces contribute to the person I am today.
What is the idea behind your dress?
With my creation, I wanted to bring a renewed version of "the little black dress", in my opinion one of the most iconic dresses ever designed. My version features a basic black dress with a sexy detail, an open back.
For the drama effect, I added a cape to the dress, sold together with the short dress as an ensemble. The cape also provides extra length for women who may feel uncomfortable in a short dress.
For the color, I naturally chose black as the base. It suits many occasions.
But in both the lining and the print, I chose to incorporate shades of warm pink and red to break the black.
For a stamp of individuality, my print is the final but decisive element.
With my print, I want to leave my mark on the piece through slightly more abstract, colorful floral prints.
Where does the style of LolaLiza match yours?
I find happiness in color. Color is an incredibly strong tool as a designer. I often find the most beautiful color combinations in nature. I used flower photos to create my prints. Just like with LolaLiza, prints are allowed to be present. That's how we found common ground in the vision for this collaboration.
How was the collaboration with LolaLiza throughout the process?
Collaboration is never easy. It's always a give-and-take, especially when working with a brand that has a loyal clientele, a price range, and an identity. These are all elements to consider in the collaboration. It leads to interesting conversations, but always with respect for each other. Ultimately, everyone sitting around the table wants a successful design that resonates with people.
Why did you enroll in the LolaLiza Fashion School?
I am a recent graduate in fashion and for years I’ve had the dream of releasing a collection that can actually be sold to many people. However, the reality is that the production cost of such collections is very high, especially for a beginning designer on an independent basis. Thanks to the LolaLiza Fashion School, it was possible for me to share my design with a broad audience. And every designer wants the clothes they design to be worn, don't they?
