Uncommon Creatures

I felt extremely pleased, and honored, as one of my very favorite designers, Christina Højris Ottosen, sent these pics to me specifically for their inclusion in this blog.

Some my followers might remember her as the creator of that wonderful line of "female-clothes-for-men". I fact, I posted some pics several months ago (See: S/he's my man and A lovesome thing)... a dream come true!

This time, coupled with designer Jens Kold-Christensen, Cristina is once again challenging preconceptions and conventions. Perilously close to the Passover celebrations, the Copenhagen based duo came up with Uncommon Creatures. Their debut fashion collection, Autumn Winter 2010, was inspired by the orthodox Jewish style.

Simple, elegant, svelte and anachronistic, the collection does indeed include some placeable elements of various Judaistic societies (even a Greek Orthodox cross... depicting orthodoxy in general?). Notwithstanding that delicate source of inspiration, which might arise controversies, the results are anything but grave. Departed from the solemnity and seriousness of the stereotype Jewish attires, these getups can be playful, even sexy, but without a hint of satire or mockery

The designers point out that their collection does not use organic fabrics, nor unfair or child labor. They have chosen to use instead domestic Danish textiles.

Højris-Ottosen: A Lovesome Thing

Christina Højris Ottosen challenges the conventional gender roles, and experiments with bending the limits. Silhouettes for men inspired by women's wear is what she proposes (check out my previous posting: S/he's my man) Skirts and dresses are her primary focus, as she believes these can be shown in a more masculine way: not by concealing the user's virility, but rather by showing both the masculine and feminine traits of his personality

S/he's My Man

"My goal with this collection has been to question the Western interpretation of masculinity vs. femininity by experimenting with the boundaries between the two and ultimately creating new silhouettes for men inspired by women's wear." Says Danish designer Christina Højris Ottosen, creator of these dazzling pics and these wonderful setups.

She intentionally concieves styles that allow us males to honestly express our innermost fragility, delicacy, sensitivity, and other supposingly "feminine" traits, in an open, direct way. It's not about "cross-dressing", if you ask me, since her concept is not for us to "pass" as a woman or look like one, but rather, to unashamedly expose our identities as modern, "feminine males", so to speak.

She has focused on those female elements (the lace, the dress, the skirt) which can be used in a more masculine way, in order to create a new look – a look that can show both a man’s masculine and feminine sides.

Those of you avant-garders can contact her:

Christina Højris Ottosen

Købmagergade 25, 2.tv

DK-1150 Copenhagen K

(+45)22935313

stinaooo@gmail.com