Pikkpack Shoes at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2016

Anna Gyurkovics Photography

Meet Sara Gulyas, a creative Hungarian shoe designer who lives in Budapest. She graduated as a leather-designer from the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in 2013. In the same year she introduced her brand Pikkpack, which is a Hungarian play on words meaning “it’s a piece of cake”. Pikkpack is a flat-packed footwear that the wearers assemble themselves.

You can see Sara Gulyas’ work at the Heritage Exhibition. Friday July 1 open at 18:30 and Saturday July 2 open at 16:00 (free entrance).

When did you realise you wanted to be a designer? How long have you been designing? 
I went to a secondary school of fine and applied Arts when I was 15. I was admitted to the ‘leather-design’ department, this is when my story with and love for leather started and this is when I started designing leather accessories. At the moment, I work with shoes but it’s possible that I will get back to designing bags in the future. I have never been particularly interested in clothes and I would not call myself a fashion designer. I prefer just the term ‘designer’.

Damn Pretty Dutch Shoes

Peter Popps

FASHIONCLASH designers part of the Damn Pretty Dutch Shoes exhibition during Dutch Design Week 2015. 

Damn Pretty Dutch Shoes is a new new platform during the Dutch Design Week 2015. The exhibition shows experimental approach to shoe design and innovative shapes.
Curated by Liza Snook (VirtualShoeMuseum) and Chris van den Elzen, the exhibition is aims to support the Dutch shoe design talent. In past years there has been a new wave of promising shoe designers in the Netherlands.

The exhibition took place at the location ’Piet Hein Eek’.

Designers: Tomasenwies, Peterson + Stoop, Peter Popps, Nienke van Dee, Chrissie Houtkooper, Janine van den Bosch, Mandy Roos, Alexander Khorikian, Chris van den Elzen, Iris van Herpen x United Nude, Ilja Visser, Dora Kloppenburg, Amber Ambrose Aurèle, René van den Berg, Ellis Droog

SHOWPIECES exhibition at De Bijenkorf

Santiago Úttima

SHOWPIECES is a brand new feature to FASHIONCLASH Festival, an multidisciplinary exhibition that shows the art of fashion. As the name says, Showpieces is a showcase where each designer exhibits one design that represents his/her work.

SHOWPIECES participants: Bluedenîmes & Minou Lejeune, Branko Popovic, Chris van den Elzen, Ece Ozalp,  pə-ˈzaz (Noor Mulders), into into, Inderjeet Sandhu, Isabel Helf, Jasna Rokegem, JIVIKA BIERVLiET, Marlou Breuls, Fien Ploeger, Judith van Vliet, Flora Miranda, HANA FRISONSOVA, Santiago Úttima, Studio Kiekebos, Simonetta Alejandra, STRIKKS and Yojiro Kake.

More information about FASHIONCLASH Festival Side Program: here

SHOWPIECES can be visted for free during the regular opening hours of de Bijenkorf Maastricht.

Chris van den Elzen at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015

Chris van den Elzen is a Dutch designer, based in Utrecht. He focuses on shoes design - his accesorise look like futuristic art pieces. Chris will present his newest collection with Judith van Vliet at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 Show case.


Chris says: I always try to find a balance between High Tech and Hand-crafted element in my designs. I design shoes, accessories, jewelry and materials. Last June was my catwalk debut, together with Judith van Vliet I created the EXCIDIUM collection, I focused on the Shoes and Jewelry, Judith on the garments. The collection was presented at the Fashionclash festival 2014. But my shoes have seen more places than me at the moment and they are still traveling. From Amsterdam to Dubai, from Vienna to New York. What I would aspire is a show in London, being part of the official London Fashion Week Program.




Who are your artistic influences or inspirations and why?
My inspirations come a lot from the architecture and the living creatures around me. I love to combine Architectural with amorphous shapes. 

Finding your own voice is difficult, where and how do you find your personal creativity (before you start designing; during the design process)? 
That is an ongoing story, so many things spook to my mind, connecting those stories to create a concept goes automatic.

What was the most important thing your parents taught you, that you now bring into your work? 
Be yourself and push further then your boundaries, never give up if you really want something. 

Which item in your wardrobe really typifies you and why? 
My black neoprene sweater, why? because I like the futuristic feel of it, and it’s a minimalistic masterpiece. 

What is your most favorite accessory and why? 
My first necklace made from a left over piece of my graduation collection, just some sentimental values

Are you a people's person or a loner? 
Definitely a people’s person! 

What do you strive for in your work?
Passion and a perfect balance between high-tech and hand-crafts.

What makes your items different from others (What is your designing philosophy)? 
I always try to be pure, I don’t like nonsense and I try to make something that you want to treasure and keep even when you can’t really use it anymore. make it an art piece, a collectors item. 

Fashion needs to progress year in year out, how do you keep innovating? 
I always try to improve my skills and to perfect the fit and comfort of the shoes.

What is your ultimate goal? What do you want to achieve with your projects? 
My goal is to be an innovative and inspiring shoe designer.

What are your views on gender categorization in fashion ? (as in differentiating between male/female collections, is this necessary ?) 
I think gender in collections is fading, Gender is more and more disappearing, I think everybody needs to wear what they want to and feel happy about it.

Do you believe the western binary gender system (male/female) will eventually disappear?
Jup I do. I think it be great when it does. Can’t wait for that time to come. 

What are your thoughts on the idea that unisex is the new androgynous in fashion? 
I think there is still a big difference between androgynous an unisex.. I think Unisex clothing can be worn they way that person want to wear it/combine it… an androgynous person is a person who you can’t really define into an gender the first moment you see them. but It’s the moment you start to learn to know the person that counts, that’s what makes it the person. and I think an androgen person will look androgyn no matter what kind of clothing he/she wears. It’s all about the face/hair/body shape.

What has changed/happened since your last attendance at FASHIONCLASH? 
It feels like jumping into a wind turbine. loved every moment of the ride and it’s still continuing.

Why have you decided to participate at FASHIONCLASH Festival once again? 
Because they give you a real platform, love the vibes before, during and after the festival. I feels like becoming part of a family. A family that you take care of, that you love and that you treasure.

Shoe Design Challenge powered by Invito: the winning designs now in Invito shops

In 2013, in collaboration with Invito, FASHIONCLASH challenged young talents by asking them to develop a shoe concept in which creativity and sustainability are coming together.
In October 2013, the “Shoe Design Challenge powered by Invito” jury existing of designer Bas Kosters, founders of FASHIONCLASH Branko Popovic, Nawie Kuiper and Laurens Hamacher, as well as Invito formatmanager Jasper den Hertog, reunited and agreed upon two winners: Monique Schraven for the women’s shoe and Malou Fool for the men’s design. Since the 19th of May, their two designs are being sold in the Invito shoe shops!

Malou Fool, Monique Schraven and Chris van den Elzen who received an honorable mention 

FASHIONCLASH Invito Shoe Design Challenge Winners are

the three winners:
Malou Fool,  Monique Schraven and Chris van den Elzen

In collaboration with Invito, FASHIONCLASH invited talent to develop a shoe concept where creativity and sustainability are coming together. The Shoe Design Challenge was born as a platform to contribute to the development of new (fashion) talent.

Ten designers, Malou Fool, Marleen Huijsmans, Lotte van de Laar, Judith van Vliet, Wendy van den Ham, Chris van den Elzen, Sarah El Mahi, Milou van den Berg, Monique Schraven and Milou Hillegers, where selected to work out their concepts.

Today the jury came together at Museum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht, where all the design where exhibited.
The jury, existing of Bas Kosters, Invito and FASHIONCLASH awarded three designers. Men's shoe by Malou Fool and women's shoe by Monique Schraven will be taken into production and will be sold in Invito stores in 2014. Chris van den Elzen received an honorable mention for his innovative and inspiring shoe design.
We are very proud of this project and all ten designers who accepted this challenge.

All ten nominated designers and their designs

Meet the nominees for Shoe Design Challenge

nominated designers and jury

After weeks of collecting submissions we have now chosen our 11 talented designers for the 'FASHIONCLASH Shoe Design Challenge Powered bu Invito.

We are very exvcited to announce our nominated designers are: Malou Fool, Marleen Huijsmans, Lotte van de Laar, Julia Skergeth, Judith van Vliet, Wendy van den Ham, Chris van den Elzen, Sarah El Mahi, Milou van den Berg, Monique Schraven and Milou Hillegers .

The nominees will now develop their shoe ideas further in the coming months. In this process they will be coached by a professional team consisting of Nienke Rutting (Brandmanager Invito),  Fer van der Pas (marketing director and E-commerce Macintosh) and Ingrid Weijer Manager Corporate Responsibility & Innovation of Macintosh).
As of September 14, the designs can be seen at the Museum aan het Vrijthof during two weeks. During the finale in October, the final three winners will be announced by the judges (FASHIONCLASH team, Bas Kosters and Jasper Den Hartog) and one or more winning designs will be taken into production.


 Here is an impression of the press conference and a wonderful kick-off day at Rokin 75. The event has been provided by Fuse Communication.

Selection time for Shoe Design Challenge

Today was the selection time for the 'FASHIONCLASH Shoe Design Challenge powered by Invito'. We sat with Invito and Museum aan het Vrijthof team and went through all the proposals. At last 11 promising and very diverse projects are selected and will be announced this week.

Chaussures Mondiales - Win a 150 € voucher for lovely shoes!

The Chaussures Mondiales contest in still on! On Saturday, June 1, at the 2nd day of FASHIONCLASH 2013, we photographed even more amazing shoes that makes it difficult for us to chose the winning pair! So you have to do it for us! 

So go to the Chaussures Mondiales Facebook page and start Liking your favourite shoes! The pictures with the most Likes will receive a 150 € voucher courtesy of Chaussures Mondiales! 

Don’t forget that on Wednesday, June 5, at 20:00 we will announce the results! Are your shoes going to make you a winner? 

Win a 150 € voucher from Chaussures Mondiales: First day of the contest!

FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2013 guests and visitors look absolutely fabulous so Chaussures Mondiales wants to reward you with a 150 € voucher!


On Friday the 31th of May, at the Opening of FCM 2013, we were already impressed by stunning shoes.
So go to the Chaussures Mondiales Facebook page and start Liking your favourite shoes!

Chaussures Mondiales in collaboration with FASHIONCLASH offer you the shoes of your dreams!

Lets face it: Shoes are out guilty pleasure!

FASHIONCLASH in collaboration with Chaussures Mondiales want to help you find the shoes of your dreams!

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
Come to FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2013 wearing your favourite shoes! We will take pictures of the most amazing pairs and post them on Facebook.
The picture with the most Likes will be reward with a 150 € voucher courtesy of Chaussures Mondiales!

Are you our lucky winner? Find out on Wednesday, June 5, at 20:00 as we will announce the results!

Last chance to win a 150 € voucher from Chaussures Mondiales!

On Sunday, June 10, the final day of FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2012 was your last chance to impress us with the most fabulous shoes in your wardrobe!

8 of you succeeded in doing that, so we are happy to tell you that you are now in the running to winning a 150 € voucher courtesy of Chaussures Mondiales! 

What do you have to do now? So go to the Chaussures Mondiales Facebook page and start Liking your favourite shoes! The pictures with the most Likes will receive a 150 € voucher from Chaussures Mondiales!


Find out the results on Wednesday, June 13, at 20:00!

Do you want to win a 150 € voucher courtesy of Chaussures Mondiales?

The Chaussures Mondiales contest in still on! On Saturday, June 9, at the 2nd day of FASHIONCLASH, we photographed even more amazing shoes that makes it difficult for us to chose the winning pair! So you have to do it for us! 

So go to the Chaussures Mondiales Facebook page and start Liking your favourite shoes! The pictures with the most Likes will receive a 150 € voucher courtesy of Chaussures Mondiales! 

Don’t forget that on Wednesday, June 13, at 20:00 we will announce the results! Are your shoes going to make you a winner? 

Chaussures Mondiales is looking for a winner!

FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2012 didn’t just mean a great show, but amazing shoes as well!

Our guests and visitors looked absolutely fabulous so Chaussures Mondiales wants to reward you with a 150 € voucher! 

Chaussures Mondiales in collaboration with FASHIONCLASH offer you the shoes of your dreams!

Lets face it: Shoes are out guilty pleasure!

FASHIONCLASH in collaboration with Chaussures Mondiales want to help you find the shoes of your dreams! 

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? Come to FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2012 wearing your favourite shoes! We will take pictures of the most amazing pairs and post them on Facebook. The picture with the most Likes will be reward with a 150 € voucher courtesy of Chaussures Mondiales!

Are you our lucky winner? Find out on Wednesday, June 13, at 20:00 as we will announce the results!