May, 1st, 2013

Chicago | ANKE LOH | Afghan Spring_Summer 2011

Anke Loh and the Afghanischer Frauenverein (Afgan Women’s Association, Osnabrück, Germany) collaborated to develop this cross-cultural limited-edition collection of ethnically inspired clothing.

Using fabrics from Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghan refugee women participating in an micro-business apprenticeship and incubator at Honar Educational Training Center in Pakistan provided the hand embroidery on the clothing which Anke further manipulated with pattern and dye techniques. The collection was on view October 1-30, 2012, at the Bazonnale 2010 in Weimar, Germany.

Partial proceeds from every order from this collection benefited the programs of the Afghan Women’s Association where every year more than 100 Afghani women learn to become tailors or embroidery specialists who go on to create extraordinary textiles and garments.

Anke Loh explores the possibilities of how technology can influence ready-to-wear fashion as a visionary tool for expression—expressio­n of identity, story, culture, and urban and natural surroundings.

Intrigued and inspired as much by people and their idiosyncrasies, Anke seeks out explicit, implied and singular manners in which fashion can communicate and connect in innovative and unconventional ways.

Perpetually exploring the outer reaches of the hybridization of fashion and technology, Anke invites collaborators of all extremes in pursuit of making this fusion broadly accessible in the realm of ready-to-wear.

Anke Loh’s work has had international appeal since studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium in 1999. After an intership chez Maison Martin Margiela, she honed her creative skills chez Van Baelen first then Bulté NV. In the meantime, she pursed her own costume designs and collaborations. Her collections have been featured in international runway shows and showrooms including New York’s Fashion Week, Paris’ Centre Pompidou, Japan’s Osaka Collection Show, and Mode Expo Antwerp, Belgium.

Her artistic projects—including Urban Identities, Aloft: Fearless Fashion, and Dressing Light—have attracted international media attention and recognition including being honored as a Lauréate at the Festival International des Arts et de la Mode in Hyères, France