Maria Presser

Collection "The Bonnie Situation" by Maria Presser. Photo: © European Fashion Award FASH / SDBI 1234...101112►

Maria Presser: “Don’t be a square” is the slogan of my menswear collection “The Bonnie Situation”. The outfits play with the expectations of the viewer in order to encourage a more sophisticated perception of fashion beyond stereotypes. Postmodern stylistic devices such as deconstruction based on the model of literary examples are translated into a fashion context: Preppy style and high-visibility workwear meet and merge as two hierarchically opposing genres. Other design elements are quotes and allusions, overdrafts and surprise effects such as new combinations of various patterns. The collection thrives on this “intertextuality” and thus ties in with the work of cult director Quentin Tarantino, whose movies such as “Pulp Fiction” (1994) became prototypes of postmodern film aesthetics. The intensive study of the arts and socio-cultural contexts is an important part of my work on modern, sophisticated and progressive menswear. I strive for the deconstruction of oppositions such as conceptual and commercial in the fashion industry, a novel form of reception and review of fashion and a further development in the self-image of the fashion designer.

With the combination of two supposedly opposing genres, Maria Presser designed an ironic and mature dialogue between trendy streetwear and traditional business fashion. Dressed, it immediately looks cool, natural and discreetly refined.
The theme of “deconstruction” has been cleverly chosen, argued and presented. The cut is new and creative, the manufacturing is impeccable. The unstructured garment impresses with its very good fit, casualness and excellent wearing comfort. The multi-faceted implementation convinces with playfully light but consistent approaches. The subtle choice of colors and fabrics also shows that men can be fashion-conscious without immediately being perceived as fashion victim.
Maria Presser has her own signature, the ability to make decisions, is willing to perform and clearly wants to work on herself. In her bachelor collection she has found a very mature balance on a high professional level. The work challenges us to re-evaluate what we know and thus fits in with the times. This is how Maria Presser succeeds in achieving her goal: To sharpen the view of viewers and wearers of meaningful fashion, quality and innovation. It thus also offers the frozen clothing industry important impulses to find a way into the 21st century.