Wow, Nikoline Liv Andersen is a Danish fashion designer whose 2007-2008 collection is theatrical and intricately over-the-top.

Here are some images from her myspace page:

Everything in this picture is sublimely grotesteque but wonderfully modern. The jacket, the styling with the mask.

Ruffs are popping up everywhere! How 16th century.

The texture of this dress is insane. I just want to reach out and touch it. It reminds me of a wood grain pattern.

♥ the alchemist

I stumbled onto Japanese designer Hidenobu Yasui’s website and what I found interesting is the self-description of the word ‘Shokunin’ which translates to “specialist”.

“When I produce my work, as a Japanese ’shokunin’, I am passionate about opening up new ways to perceive the world with sense of Japanese beauty, honor, and sensitivity that are passed on from the past.” To read more, go here.

Here are some images from the 2008 collection, titled A Woman in the Wind

Here are some images from the 2007-8 collection, titled Body Movement.

♥ the alchemist