Saturday 12 June 2010

The Girl Behind The Label: Maaike Mekking


Pretty, whimsical, edgy, feminine, modern but classic, simple but kind of complicated,....it is hard to define Dutch designer Maaike Mekking's A/W 10 Witch-Craft-Wo-Man-Ship collection. A jersey fleece biker sweater with corduroy detailing (which Maaike is wearing in these photos with vintage Levi's), classic jeans, a charcoal felt peacoat and a classic caramel leather cropped tee contrast with exaggerated jodhpur trousers and overalls, a nude mesh maxi dress and tribal tattoo print full-length body suit. Maaike invited me to her London studio back in late April, just before I was leaving for Australia (yes, I have been extremely tardy in getting this post up) to have a peek at her collection, and take some photographs.

Maaike was born in the Netherlands and attended the Fashion Institute Arnhem before moving to London and completing a MA in womenswear at the Royal College of London. She had contemplated a career as an artist (painting) but realised she loved the three dimensional aspect that fashion design allows. On graduation, Maaike worked for Alberta Ferretti, Giles and Alexander McQueen before starting her own label which is now in its third season. Maaike's inspiration comes from vintage books (I loved the traditional Dutch costume book she had open on her desk in the bottom collage), photographs, music (she dj's with her boyfriend and has an impressive collection of vinyls at her studio) and London itself.

We took some photographs in Maaike's studio in East London (with her incredibly cute pup in attendance), and then made our way to the roof to take some more shots. Which was fab.....but unfortunately I have an incredible fear of heights (and especially any kind of heights involving ladders) and, rather mortifyingly, I kind of got stuck on top of the roof! The lovely Maaike eventually coaxed me down (admittedly after I had asked whether she thought the fire brigade might come and rescue me!) and I went home, body and camera intact, to a lovely, soothing aperitif :)

14 comments:

  1. You always take photos using the perfect light.

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  2. OH!!! These are the rooftop shots!!!
    SO WORTH THE VERTIGO!
    So much so that I am speaking entirely in capitals...
    I'm totally sleep deprived.
    She looks FAR TOO COOL! With that metallic headband...the very Alexander-Wangesque look in the first couple of photos and the very chic blazer look I would totally steal on the table.

    Oh I'm so jealous of the cool factor. I think I may just go crawl into my bed and mourn the loss of freedom due to law exams.

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  3. old levi's and a cropped sweatshirt never looked so good!
    i'll check the link for more.
    great post. :)

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  4. wonderful photos, I love seeing designer's homes!

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  5. LOVE HER!!!
    SHE IS AMAZING!!!

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  6. what a cool girl, her home is as stylish as she is!


    xx
    http://blondeonblondenyc.blogspot.com/

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  7. id love to see more of her work, she seems like a very talented lady! i know my sister would love that top!!

    <33
    heelsandinspiration.blogspot.com

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  8. Amazing hair!

    diamonddiaper.blogspot.com

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  9. beautiful photography! also love the way you put the pics together in a collage.

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  10. so effortlessly chic; all she has on is a jumper and some old jeans and she looks bloody gorgeous! Amazing photography as well also, I'm in love with your blog!

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  11. i love the last couple of shots especially... very 'selbyesque' - i mean it as a complement

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  12. Whoops, I thought the top she wore in the first pics is from Alexander Wang.

    http://flashfashfash.blogspot.com

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  13. Wow, I love the shape of her jersey + her shoes + the rolled up jeans = I love everything! It's really interesting to see the person behin the work.
    xx Vanessa

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  14. i really like this post! great blog don't ever stop blogging:)

    visit

    fuckthatfashionart.blogspot.com

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