SHOJI FUJII REPORTS ON : KATRIEN VAN HECKE

Katrien Van Hecke, photographed by Frederik Heyman

I met her in Paris when she was working at Christian Wijnants showroom as a intern this year and later in Antwerp.
She had her graduate show of KASK Gent(Belgium) in Jun, but as the show was at the same time of Paris men's week, I wasn't able to go.

She introduces herself
' I grew up in Ostend, in a house near by the sea. I loved balletdancing and drawing as well as watching my grandmother while she was sewing or knitting my clothes or the ones for my teddybear. She was so fast and I was always amazed that out of a cloth in a few hours on a rainy day, she could make a pair of shorts for me. My mother worked in a book and pencil store. Both of them showed me the respect of making garments and finding elegance in simple things.
I still love to paint, but then by dying fabrics. A unique colour says as much as the construction or the fabric that is used for the design.
I often use furs, like sheep, lamb, goat or rabbit. The feeling of the skin against your body gives you a certain sensuality, something tender. '

I haven't seen her collection in real, but it seem to have a lot of hand touch specially in knit wear. I also like the sculptural construction which is giving modernity to her crafty work.