PARIS, Nov 18, 2004/ FW/ --- I recently had the opportunity to catch up with the Anglo-German designer John Ribbe to discuss his recent Spring/Summer 2005 collection.

Full of colour, asymmetry and harmony in fabrics that would surely clash in another designer’s hands, the collection is for the woman who likes to have a part in the created process concerning the final look of what she wears.

Transformation has always been a constant theme in the collections created by the Anglo-German. It’s really all about freedom and individual choice when you think about it. Women buy something and rearrange it in just the way they want.

When specifically asked about the women who buy the John Ribbe brand, the designer said to FashionWindows, “She is a woman and her own designer. She buys my collection and adapts it to her circumstances and needs. I simply help her along through my variations and themes.”

The rings placed in the garments create the versatility of his collections. One of his dresses devolves into a separate skirt and top by simply removing the rings and detaching the lower part of the garment. A pair pants become shorts in another silhouette and long skirts into a short skirts.

“The rings are the right size”, he says with the air of confidence that comes from knowing the collection like his own soul. “Not too big, not too small. Just the right size!”

In his play on bringing together certain diverse materials, he puts organza over muslin to create an icy effect and to bring out the colours of the collection which include peach and blues.

Some garments are done in silk taffetas and have leather straps peaking through them. The leather seemingly holds the garments together. The dresses in this section are seductive, yet soft to the skin and comfortable on the body.

“I wanted to use this combination of fragile fabrics like the organza which is so opposite of the leather. The leather is the main element of the garment so you have to give it room to be seen.”

This gives a different look to the garment as we see in his little black dresses. They have asymmetry worked into them thanks to the leather parts.

Again playing on his transformation theme, the pockets on some pieces are removable. The skirts have Velcro that gives women great individual liberty in how to wear them.

John Ribbe

John Ribbe

John Ribbe

John Ribbe