`Bowerbird´

A collection by Manon Kündig, MoMu Award winner 2012

Installation view of the exhibition 'Bowerbird' (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

The recipient of the 2012 MoMu Award was Manon Kündig (°1983, BNC, Switzerland).

She presented her graduate collection ‘Bowerbird’ at the MoMu Gallery.

The bowerbird at workMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

The male bowerbird, a little creature that seduces the female by creating an odd composition of both natural and synthetic scraps to show off his creative skills, is a true freak of nature.

Nest of a bowerbirdMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Drawing for the collection 'Bowerbird' (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

He is the central inspiration behind the eclectic silhouettes of this collection.

Drawings for the collection 'Bowerbird' (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Sketchbook for the collection 'Bowerbird' (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Just like the bowerbird, Manon Kündig also looked at her neighbours’ style for influences: being Swiss residing in Borgerhout, she integrated typical ornamentation, materials and silhouettes that can be seen in this and other district’s cultures.

Sketchbook for the collection 'Bowerbird' (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Sketchbook for the collection 'Bowerbird' (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

'Bowerbird' at SHOW 2012 © Etienne Tordoir/Catwalkpictures (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Fusing good and bad taste, unconscious fashion and the male peacock, it shows how keeping up appearances can be done spontaneously and creatively.

Photos of the collection 'Bowerbird' © Michaël Smits (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Photos of the collection 'Bowerbird' © Michaël Smits (2012) by Manon KündigMoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp

Materials that pretend to be something different; camouflage prints that are not what they seem; faux carré scarves turned into jackets; in Manon Kündig’s world, rubbish and haute couture are no opposites.

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As a true pick-up artist, Kündig collects inspiration from wherever she happens to find it, showing the beauty of l’art du hazard.

Credits: Story

Every year, MoMu awards a prize to one of the graduating Master students of the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp: originality, a strong visual language and craftsmanship are key ingredients for a collection to win a prize.

The MoMu Award gives a single student the opportunity to present his or her collection in an exhibition at the MoMu Gallery.

Special thanks to Manon Kündig and the photographers Boy Kortekaas, Michaël Smits and Etienne Tordoir.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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