I came across Scherer Gonzalez' work first via Mahret at F&ART (aka German-fash bible...) but I had to have the name jogged out of me when I was thinking of suitable Met Costume Institute Ball alternative affair. Quite simply, Paul Scherer and Constanza Gonzalez' designs show an atypical side to German fashion that rests in fairytales, fantasy and dreamscapes. In fact from my first look at the collection, it all borders on being quite gauche/ugly/grotesque.... not positive initial sentiments but somehow, something good comes out of those descriptions. I'm definitely thinking of the old-fashioned and true meaning of the word 'grotesque' being bizarre, strange and fantastic. The number and quality of techniques and materials that Gonzalez and Scherer have utilised in their collection simply demands respect however you feel about exaggerated butts, yards of shiny fabrics or dramatic-bordering-on-costumelike evening wear. Duchesse satin specially dyed and hand silk washed to get different effects... zips, straps and ties used in abundance... heightening of the female form... carefully structured curves everywhere...
It's all so ri-DON-culous (my silly way of saying a heightened version of 'ridiculous') and OTT that you go back and forth between thinking it's very grotesque or very beautiful...
Furthermore, I'm fascinated by their 'more is more' philosophy as an increasing number of new labels that are very wearable and slightly dilluted pop up, along come these new guns who have something a little irreverant to say...
The deets...
Wonderfully weird, I absolutely love it all. I especially love the leather jacket and trousers.
Posted by: Sarah | 14 May 2008 at 15:30
ok, this is gonna be the third comment I try to write lol....my internet dies just as I click "post" argh!
basically the gist of it was that I liked it very much but I probobly wouldnt need any more enhancement in the back area :-/
-Giselle <3<3<3
Posted by: Giselle | 14 May 2008 at 15:58
wow
Posted by: Prêt-à-Porter P | 14 May 2008 at 16:05
All I can say is that although I love avant-garde, I would not want to wear something that makes my ass look bigger than it already is.
Posted by: August | 14 May 2008 at 16:15
God, I love that first picture!
I appreciate the designs, but not sure I'd wear them myself, though!
Posted by: Elisabeth | 14 May 2008 at 16:21
It's a strangely compelling mixture of old fashioned and futuristic, very creative...not sure that it would be easy to wear though. You'd probably need your own personal ladies maid to get in and out of the outfits....or a very understanding bf/hubby etc :)
Posted by: | 14 May 2008 at 16:25
Ooops..the above comment was from me...forgot to sign on the dotted line.
Posted by: bronwyn | 14 May 2008 at 16:26
that first pic is the perfect scroll down! I've been looking at alternative wedding dresses for smne and that would be an awesome dress.
I love all the complexities, especially the ass-enhancing shapes! not that I need any more enhancing though...
Posted by: headmistress | 14 May 2008 at 16:38
The last photo reminds me of an 18th century pauper jacket reinvented in the 23rd century, aha. All lovely stuff.
Posted by: Mari | 14 May 2008 at 16:49
I love the colour palette, I think the neutrals stop the designs straying into ridiculous territory. That bomber jacket is gorgeous.
Posted by: fritha louise | 14 May 2008 at 17:42
What a cool post..love that fun shot of the behind..I couldn't get away with that.
Posted by: ivy | 14 May 2008 at 18:09
Adore the the grey/sherbet palette and i cannot stop examining all the pleats, details and drama! I can totally imagine their style working for a stage production... maybe a ballet choreographed by Matthew Bourne. Definitely falling in intrigue/lust.
Posted by: Meeshy | 14 May 2008 at 18:42
definitely made me blink, i'm trying to think of someone i could imagine in these wears and i just can't! i do love how there's lots of seams and bones, proving intricate design and something i can't contemplate how you would make!
Posted by: selina | 14 May 2008 at 19:16
The first look, the evening dress is very nice but it's best left to the red carpet.
Anyone walking the red carpet at Cannes any time soon, haha?
As for the others, the deets are kinda intimidating and I could just imagine the amount of work on those pieces!
Posted by: giancinephile | 14 May 2008 at 19:30
I love it. Excessive detailing is one of my favourite guilty fashion pleasures.
Posted by: Thom Wong | 14 May 2008 at 19:36
LOVELY PICS
Posted by: FASHIONPICS | 14 May 2008 at 20:32
Your blog was featured in a local fashion magazine here in Chile. I dont know if you had any idea. if you want i can send it for u to see it (although its written in spanish of course hehe)
bye bye
Posted by: javu | 14 May 2008 at 20:44
Love them!! I love the 'derriere' seams.
Posted by: nuvonova | 14 May 2008 at 21:05
although it's unwearable, certainly looks fantastic
Posted by: angie | 14 May 2008 at 21:09
The amount of panels and cuts is mind numbing. I agree that it's nice to see such detail and workmanship in clothing, as much as it is to take in.
Posted by: Jill | 14 May 2008 at 22:45
Wow, it's all so dramatic and stormy! Very artful.
Posted by: Erin | 15 May 2008 at 00:19
I love it, I love it, I LOVE it, but then, I'm quite ri-DONK-culous about fashion too.
Posted by: Dizzy | 15 May 2008 at 00:59
That first dress looks like something I'd wear in a dream. :)
Posted by: Runaway Gallery | 15 May 2008 at 04:03
Grotesquely beautiful indeed.
Posted by: liz | 15 May 2008 at 04:18
I think they're stuff is beautiful. So detailed and gorgeous.
Posted by: The Clothes Horse | 15 May 2008 at 05:51
Loving all of it, the first one would make a fab wedding dress
Posted by: kim | 15 May 2008 at 07:19
i love this. the way the material sits over the arse looks like armour. Actually, the whole thing kind of reminds me of Elizabeth (the movie).
Posted by: a dreamer | 15 May 2008 at 08:21
Scherer & gonzalez is amazing. I would love to marry in a dress like that. WOW hopefully we see more of them in the future
Posted by: rocknroses | 15 May 2008 at 09:26
gosh, both you and marhet... always find the best stuff... i often wonder where it comes from!
Posted by: lady coveted | 15 May 2008 at 10:47
WOW...baby got back!
Posted by: Imelda Matt | 15 May 2008 at 12:15
grotesque is the right word. i like the first gown, even with the exaggerated butt.
Posted by: Cate | 15 May 2008 at 13:11
All I see are octopus tentacles and shark gills. Ack!
Posted by: Jill @ Trend de la Creme | 15 May 2008 at 14:29
Grotesque, really?? I think they're just so beautiful. All the curves are perfectly exaggerated.
Posted by: Angie | 15 May 2008 at 16:04
stunning. Very Victorian-techno, and I love love the colors. Grotesque is a good word for it.
Posted by: Pamcasso | 15 May 2008 at 16:09
Oooooo so beautiful this is the kind of stuff I used to look to McQueen for before he started phoning it in. Really lovely to see this kind of drama done in a softer color story.
Posted by: megan | 15 May 2008 at 16:38
wow, I see mugler + westwood + montana?
Posted by: fashionherald | 15 May 2008 at 19:48
i want that first dress as my wedding gown. it is TO DIE FOR.
Posted by: Poetic Fashion | 15 May 2008 at 21:38
Reminds me a little of the animated series Aeon Flux.
Posted by: Sarah | 16 May 2008 at 01:59
i loooove it
(oh i totally thought of aeon flux too!)
Posted by: violetville vintage | 16 May 2008 at 02:00
I absolutely love it. They are beautiful, sculptural pieces. While I may not be able to work all of them into my every day wardrobe, I could see the satin, fur trimmed jacket as an immediate addition. The pants in particular make me think of armour in the style of Joan of Arc.
With all the time consuming work that has gone into these, I don't even want to imagine their retail prices though.
Posted by: super kawaii mama | 16 May 2008 at 04:23
Sci-fi + Lingerie + McQueen + Renaissance = LOVE!!!
Posted by: Jael | 16 May 2008 at 14:48
I love preposterousness like this.
Posted by: enc | 16 May 2008 at 14:57
Amazing
Posted by: | 14 November 2008 at 03:55