For the first time Dutch designer Tess van Zalinge and wedding planner Lotte Groosman showed a collection under their new label tesswithlotte. In a sector where the focus is on 'beauty for one day', they showed a hand-made collection with a sustainable message to shake up the fashion and bridal industry at Fashion for Good Experience at Rokin in Amsterdam The signature of Tess van Zalinge is clearly present in this collection: body-skimming silhouettes, layering and the use of various crafts such as laser cutting, pleating and embroidery. The looks are made from vintage wedding dresses and other recycled materials from weddings. This innovative form of upcycling shows a special fusion of tailoring, craftsmanship and an urge for innovation and 'do good'. Tess van Zalinge: 'This collection - again - focuses on sustainability, unique craftsmanship and innovation. Fashion for Good Experience was a perfect location for me to showcase and thus fully convey the idea behind the collection. '
Craftsmanship, innovation & a desire to 'do good': an ode to 15 marriage traditions Inspired by fifteen wedding traditions, every outfit in the collection is an ode to one of these perhaps forgotten traditions : including something blue, Bianca Jagger, Queen Victoria, veils, flowers , pearls, and the shade white. Tess's love for craftsmanship, nature and folklore is also evident in the collection. Tesswithlotte encourages the industry to make more conscious choices for the wedding day. Because 'the best day of your life' gets a whole new dimension when it is done responsibly. The entire collection is currently on display at Rokin 102 in Amsterdam.
Images by Team Peter Stigter
Tess van Zalinge - designer label Tess (1989) graduated from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in 2012. The great appreciation for her work immediately resulted in extensive media attention and gave her career a nice kickstart. Her designs and brand values are steeped in a 'conscious mindset'. Her collections is traditionally crafted in her Amsterdam atelier. Since the founding of her fashion label Tess van Zalinge, in 2016, she has worked on various projects in addition to developing her own collection, including Moam for Hema, Royal Delft, FashionForGood, Centraal Museum Utrecht, Artis and Disney. www.tessvanzalinge.com Lotte Groosman - wedding planner Lotte (1990) graduated from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in 2012 where she developed her love for second-hand and vintage clothing. After her work at Foam Magazine and work at Unseen Photo Fair Amsterdam (2012-2014), she officially founded With Lotte in 2015 where she started her work as a wedding planner. In 2016 LINDA.tv made the online series 'Diary of a Wedding Planner' and a year later the second season was aired. Lotte was followed during the preparations for her own wedding day, and of course on the big day itself. Her book 'Diary of a Wedding Planner' will be published on 16 September full of personal stories, experiences and tips. www.withlotte.com
Image by Peter Stigter