An elf is a creature of Germanic mythology. The elves were originally imagined as a race of minor nature and fertility gods, who are often pictured as youthful-seeming men and women of great beauty living in forests and underground places and caves, or in wells and springs. They have been portrayed to be long-lived or immortal and as beings of magical powers. (Wikipedia)

If we get magical power by dressing up in elfenkleid garment (translation: elf dress) is questionable. But at least, we get a touch of that “youthful -seeming great beauty”. Well, that´s at least something for us Non Middle Earth creatures, don´t you think?

elfenkleid is one of the leading avant-garde labels from Austria. Founded eight years ago in Vienna by designers Annette Prechtl and Sandra Thaler, elfenkleid soon gained recognition and acknowledgment especially in Europe and Japan. The aspiring label stands for excellent quality and a timeless independence of seasonally changing trends. But wait - there´s more.

What makes elfenkleid outstanding and remarkable is not only the comfort and the simple, linear designs - it´s the unique elfenkleid “handwriting”. The garments always seem to caress the body. The draperys and experimental cuts flow around body shapes without being obtrusive or contrived. It´s female, it´s intelligent, it´s casual and ever wearable.

Online, you can get elfenkleid clothing at styleserver and soupandfish.

Photographer Joerg Autzinger/ Photos from: elfenkleid

This year’s fashion exhibition MODEPALAST (fashion palace) takes place for the sixth time at Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier (museum quarter) from 17 until 20 April 2008. In one big fashion zone young Austrian and international labels present designs ranging from Street Couture to Urban
Wear and High Fashion. The trade fair for young international fashion design, jewellery and accessories is the place to be regarding upcoming trends. As one of the world’s biggest cultural
areas the MuseumsQuartier (MQ) in Vienna supplies a mixture of modern architecture, culture, design and fashion. Young fashion designers with a progressive image can use this background to present their products adequately while meeting interested customers.

GO WEST: 11 Meter Mode brings Swiss fashion design
Apart from well-known labels - such as MANGELWARE, modus vivendi or Filia - new faces and collections can be explored. This year’s highlight is provided by the Swiss Winners of the competition „11 Meter Mode“. They are presenting a crosssection of recent Swiss fashion design. The joint project is realised by Presence Switzerland and the Swiss Embassy in Austria as frame for the EURO 2008 hosted by both countries. The MODEPALAST opening ceremony on 17 April shows Swiss lifestyle and is devoted to all winners of „11 Meter Mode“. The rest of the trade fair opens just one day later.

www.11metermode.com

GO EAST: fashion design from Austria’s neighbouring countries
Numerous labels from neighbouring countries take their chance to present themselves during MODEPALAST, such as Zuzanna Vesela and Mayda from Prague, studio mrak from Sarajevo or Bronic from Zagreb. Peng-peng create a Berlin-Corner and boutique gegenalltag shows the latest Hungarian fashion design.

As a premiere there will be a men fashion zone. Daily fashion shows, MODEPALAST- Side Events in town and more events promise to give an inside view to fashion.

fashion shows in the MQ
18 April and 19 April, starting 6pm
entrance fee included in the tickets
location: Ovalhalle/MuseumsQuartier
Labels: Pia Mia, Trentini Couture, “11 Meter Mode”, lila, KAWAYAN, maiko, sixxa,
saperlipopette, anzüglich, Elena Grasmik, MARKANT, D G CREPALDI

MODEPALAST – SIDE EVENTS (free entry - if not stated otherwise)

MAKnite fashion
1 April 2008 start: 8 pm
BUDAPEST STYLE - boutique gegenalltag shows collections of Hungarian
designers. With aquanauta, barbrodesign, camou, CSF by Ferenc Csabay, HEPP, Kostenko Daria, Miklós Pazicski and mouche
location: MAK Säulenhalle, Stubenring 5, 1010 Wien
entrance fee: EUR 7,90.-/5,50.-

tingeltangel-tour through exquisite MODEPALAST Partner-Shops
11 April 2008 from 5pm onwards
information and registration: www.tingeltangel.org/tours

fashion show in MON AMI
12 April 2008 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
presentation of new collections by anzüglich, lila, saperlipopette and ulliko with
Live Jazz
location: Theobaldgasse 9, 1060 Wien

tingeltangel goes MODEPALAST Party
19 April, from 10pm
location: Radlager, Windmühlgasse 2, 1060 Wien
DJs Armin Schmelz, simonaggio, Bernhard Tobola

men fashion zone with MARKANT, VEER industries,
MICHAEL männerg’wand, MILCHmann and others

11 Meter Mode – SIDE EVENTS
Football Fashion
spontaneous public football scenes
12 April 2008, 2-6pm
location: www.tingeltangel.org

Fashion-Talks
fashion design in a comparison of Austria and Switzerland with experts from both countries.
18 April, 2-6pm.
location: Raum D / quartier21

Crashkurs Schwyzerdüütsch (Swiss German)
19 April and 20 April, 2-6pm every hour.
location: Raum D / quartier21

tabletop football
www.11metermode.com

Press release by Modepalast