Fan of Benjamin Clementine

Yesterday, as a birthday present for mi boy, we went to an intimate concert from Benjamin Clementine at the MC Theater in Amsterdam. This singer and songwriter from London has spent a number of years homeless in Paris, the city where he wrote his first song called Cornerstone and where he got popular in the music scene. Its performance with the song on the BBC television show Later With Jools Holland in 2013 was amazing, or even more than that, and made me decide to buy tickets for his show. 

After waiting for a few minutes he appeared in a long coat, without buttons, which he uneasily hold during the entire show. I was wondering if he was maybe hiding a glamorous outfit underneath, but the question remained unanswered. 

The stage was occupied by a black piano, a microphone and one spot on Clementine, no more was needed. The spotlight, which couldn’t reach his eyes, made him look like a ghostly shadow and highlighted his characteristic cheekbones. His appearance makes him one of a kind (little ears, big head with tall hair, tight body and great piano hands), just like his performance: his pervasive voice which goes from opera high to very bass low gave me goose bumps many times. He has a great timing and both fast and slow melodies easily overflow each other. In some songs these characteristics came perfectly together.

The powerful and loud singing voice contrasts the soft and staccato tone when he speaks, which I noticed when he tried to have contact with us (the audience). And although he shows his sense of British humor, he is not into pleasing his public and therefore not afraid to point out that he ‘hate[s] it when people are whispering’ during his performance.

To sum: the concert is something to be repeated, definitely. His piano-playing may not all the time be at its best and neither does his vocalism, but that’s not what it’s about. When you visit one of Benjamin Clementine’s concerts you get an experience of personal emotion and play, his rough way of singing and playing is pure, raw and honest. I’m a fan.

Rise and Shine!

Sometimes, out of the blue I understand why a classic is a classic and I gradually fall in love with it (last winter I had a little crush on Timberlands, but I was obviously not the only one, so I broke up). And that sometimes popped up a few weeks ago, when I saw the classic espadrille. And now I have found an adorable pair, from THE OLD HOUSE with a classic tattoo print, can't wait for summmer!

Your own online fashion webshop

I just sold a fashion item at a fresh and brand new online network for second hand fashion which gets rid of all the other massive ones where your new posted clothes get drowned under a million pounds of waste (and therefore hardly sell one). This one is different (at least it tries to be and I think it has great potential), because it not only takes its responsibility for the money, but you can also create your ‘own webshop’ which other can follow (!), and therefore you can follow others too. The things I like the most is that the website is very accessible and that you can chat and post messages with your future buyer or seller. So, don’t hesitate, dive into your closet or into the network for a fashion piece from UNITED WARDROBE

One to listen: Benjamin Clementine

This is the way he was discovered, Benjamin Clementine, in a metrostation in Paris which he used as a concert hall...

... and since an amazing performance at Jools Holland he is extolled and celebrated as a huge talent. I can't wait to see him life, so I bought tickets for his concert in april this year at the MC theater. Make your own judgement, but be quick, the concert is almost solled out, just saying... 

Be like a Honey Badger!

I really like this animal's stubborn and 'I-don't-care-I-do-what-I-want' attitude. Do what you want or need for your own sake and don't be afraid! An animal's lesson to take into account

People are naturally creative, so YOU are too

I’m so glad that I discovered the website whatdesigncando.nl (my boyfriend gave me this tip). The name says it already: this website shows what design can do both for the world and for you. And this morning I read on their blog about the Design School (D.School) at Stanford, and you know what enthused me so much about it? It is a school which IS NOT FOR DESIGNERS ONLY(!!!). Hallelujah! Also innovators from the industry and students from all academic disciplines and education come together to solve problems and ‘to achieve extraordinary results for any case’.

This clip will give you a short impression

One of the founders of this school is David Kelley (American businessman, entrepreneur, designer and teacher, according to Wikipedia), who gave a wonderful and convincing talk called “How to Build Your Creative Confidence” (TED, 2012). He says that creativity is not for the ‘chosen ones’, but that everybody is naturally creative.  

You really should watch his talk, because it not only will give you creative confidence but you also get to understand why creativity is so important and great to have. Did someone ever tell you that you are not creative? He or she was definitely wrong.  
Be inspired >>>

The woman behind the Amsterdam Fashion Week 2014

Do you recognize this banner from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2014 (Amsterdam)?? What do you think about the model's clothes? I am really proud (and I hope I don't act like a bragging snob right now) to introduce you to a lovely friend of mine who is the designer behind the campaign. She is a really (and that is not put mildly), really talented fashion designer, dreamer and source of inspiration. 
Like Joris Suk and Hans Hutting (from Maison the Faux) Anneleen Bertels - that's her name, remember it! - graduated with Fashion Design at Artez Institution of Arts in Arnhem last year. 

In an interview at the website of the fashion week, she explains that with her graduation collection she searched 'for the influence of the interaction between human beings and personal space. She questioned how we will play with luxury in the future and thinks that it is a clash, resulting in a luxurious utility'.

Her collection is layerd (both literally and figurative), poetic, authentic, stubborn/closed and futuristic. I think it kind of reflects her character, in my opinion, if you would know Anneleen you would understand the collection even better.
Do you want to get to know her better? I'm sure you won't regret it ;) Visit this week (Wednesday, Thursday or Friday), during the fashion week, Het Ketelhuis in Amsterdam and watch her movie, which will lead you into her dream world, literally. 
Buy tickets here (AMFI Presents Fashion Films, 17:00u)

Below a short impression of her collection Inside the dreammachine 
Curious? Find out more on her website

Bertels designed glasses in collaboration with Theo Eyewear