Fashion collective PRJCT22

Photography: Nataliya Maassen

PRJCT22 is a group of young designers and former classmates, who met during their fashion bachelor studies at AMD Düsseldorf, Germany. Bringing all their own different styles together to create something new, was an interesting challenge. Out of this was born PRFCTN_Acceptance of the Imperfect. The collection explores the meaning and importance of inner and outer beauty in our society. Outer perfection can be seen as a forgery, true beauty reflects the imperfections of the inner beauty. This collection aims to inspire acceptance of the imperfect and self-reflection. So, are you beautiful?

PRJCT22 will be presenting their collection at the Show Program on Saturday the 16th of June at the SAM-Decorfabriek.

What made you realize that you wanted to work in (fashion) design?
We all have different reasons to work in fashion, design or art world, but what we all have in common is, that fashion brought us together. Although we all have totally different styles we still respect and accept each other’s work. And the most important thing we all have in common; we inspire each other, and are inspired by other designers and artist. Inspiration is one of the reasons we want to work in fashion.

Photography: Nataliya Maassen

What would you say are your main achievements in your career?
As individuals we all have different achievements. We all live in different countries and different cities. One of us for example is continuing working for Hugo Boss, another one for Peek&Cloppenburg, some of us like to get more artistic and prefer handcrafted designs. Achievements we all have had during our education are that we got to exhibit our dresses from the 2nd Semester during the “Zurbaran” exhibition in the Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf. All of us presented our bachelor collections at the fashion show “Exit.18” part of FashionPlatform in Düsseldorf, Germany. Since this is the first time we present our work together in one collection, “the show” of FASHIONCLASH is our main achievement as a collective.

What are your sources of inspiration?
Because we grounded our collective, PRJCT22 for this festival, we saw this as a great opportunity and we ‘brainstormed’ around the FASHIONCLASH theme. Connected to “fashion my religion” we tried to focus on acceptance. Therefore we got inspired by unusual looks, beauty you see after a second look, people who stand out, who deserve the same attention as anyone else.

Why did you decide to participate in FASHIONCLASH Festival 2018? 
FASHIONCLASH is a great opportunity to present our collections with a focus on art and a special performing presentation. We are happy to be chosen to be part of this festival, to show our collection in a special way. To make people think and realize how beautiful everyone is in everyone´s own way.

What do you love most about (fashion) design? What are the biggest struggles faced by young designers?
Design and fashion design is about expressing your imaginations. Creating something in your own way and showing it to people. Most of our designs were telling a story, showing the positive moments of life as well as visualizing problems in society. We all love that you can be creative in any direction you can imagine. A design process is never ending. These days there are many design students trying to be “seen”. The biggest struggle is getting attention from the right people, so your work is shown to more people.

How would you define fashion?
Fashion for us is to express ourselves. Since we are a group and all have different views of fashion, we tried to mix those styles together and make it one. Therefore our collections contain a variety of more artistic pieces and the more wearable ones. Overall we tried to do our inspiration justice and did not mind to think different for this collection. If each of us had to make this collection on their own, you would have 7 completely different collections.

What do you think the most important issues in fashion today?
Consumer society, overproduction, too little recycling, too little appreciation of clothes, fast-fashion….


How do you think fashion contributes to society, can it contribute to a better world?

Fashion in these days doesn’t get appreciated much anymore. Social media might give people the impression that they constantly have to buy and consume new stuff / things/ garments . But yes fashion can contribute to a better world, for example by showing what you can create by upcycling and recycling pieces. Showing that combinations and styling can give you a completely different look without buying new clothes all the time. In combination with social media it can bring the message that you should appreciate what you have, that you should focus on the nature around you, it can lead to a better world.

Photography: Nataliya Maassen

What challenges do you face in the design process? What are your favorite parts of the process? A group of 7 people all living in different countries or cities, already makes communication and the design process very difficult. Somehow we still make it happen. We love to be part of the whole process but the most exciting moment is, when you are at that point of turning your sketches into reality.

Describe your design process in one word.
Challenging.

How would you describe the concept behind your project (for FASHIONCLASH)?
True beauty is the acceptance of the imperfect. Our concept deals with the meaning/importance of inner and outer beauty in our society. Playing with our outer beauty can be inspiring and helps to develop our individuality and express our inner nature. True beauty develops with the discovery of the inner being. Sometimes the outer beauty is not in harmony with our inner being – either we have not yet discovered our inner being or we do not love ourselves enough to paint a picture of it. Then people shape their outer beauty on social ideals of beauty and perfection like a forgery of ourselves. With this collection PRFCTN_ we want to draw attention to the problem of our modern society in a positive and creative way. A strong inner self will learn to love themselves in their imperfection. It appreciates life, as well as nature and living beings of all kind. An important feature is respect for others and self-reflection. Everyone is beautiful, so why wouldn’t you be?

What inspired you?
People with special outward appearances for example caused due to a disease, problems in our society, religious fights, no appreciation for nature…. We were also inspired by plastic as a material because in a certain way it’s very useful but nevertheless the massive use of plastic causes a huge damage to the environment. You should always make the best out of what you have and not only focus on yourself, also on others.

How would you describe your project in three words?
Acceptance, diversity, imperfection. 

What projects are you involved in at the moment? What are your next steps?
We all just graduated from our Bachelor's on fashion design and are now facing the beginning of our careers. The collective PRJCT22 was only just brought to life and focuses on FASHIONCLASH at the moment. Only the future will show what’s planned next for us. Next to this project we are all working on our own paths, some of us already have jobs, some of us are going to do a master's and others are working on their own projects.

What are your thoughts regarding fashion and religion?
Reality is an illusion. Everyone lives in their own reality based on experiences, influence of surroundings: religion, education, tradition. Religion and belief are illusions. They can strengthen individuals and bring them together. It doesn’t matter which religion is the ´right´ one, but it matters that you accept others and their beliefs, to not hurt them. Because every human being is worth the same. Every life has the right to be accepted and respected. As soon as the human being stops being judgmental, shows acceptance and respects every living being, they show real beauty: the inner beauty. And that inner beauty is what everyone should see.

What does your day look like during the design process? Since we all live in different countries, we have to work individual at home for the group. Once a week we skype and discuss what the next steps will be and who can support the group in which way. It is often very challenging but a great experience for life. At this point we can say that we learned so much from it, especially how to work with so many creative ‘heads’ together.

Who is you favorite artist? Since we are many people, there are a lot of people who inspire us. Every artist has something special in their own way.

Who is your favorite designer? Same, but if the story behind the Label/ Brand or Designer is right and the designs show this story in a way that fits and shows the concept, this is an inspiration for all of us. Regardless if we like the fashion or not.

Photography: Nataliya Maassen, Model: Guiseppe Bounvino
Instagram: @prjct22