Unseasonal Greetings!

As the weather in London is showing itself at its very worst (it is wet and warm! in December!) we dream of far away places, with proper snow and bright sunshine: the Alps, home of the dirndl, but also feel free of the usual constraints of having to be 'seasonal' as we are on the look-out new inspirations for what's next for our first love at DQ: fabric and prints.

So here goes, a total mash-up of spring, snow and last summer season's silk dresses, Australia and Austria, old school documentary photography and fresh out of college fashion.

In very particular oder then: a quick scrapbook of alpine photos of a favourite photographer, Martin Parr, a family snapshot of a (v young) Dirndlqueen on holiday in the Alps en famille (ca 1976), to an inspiredly unseasonal alpine dress from Carven (SS12) and the wonderful collection of an Australian designer, Anna Langdon, taken from her 2012 titled 'Kindheit und Kitschfolk' collection: here's a girl from the land of the sun in love with Austrian alpine folklore and a great dirndl skirt. We love!

All Martin Parr: Alps 

Young Dirndlqueen en famille in Tyrol Alps, ca 1976

Carven SS 12 

Carven SS12

Carven SS12 

Anna Langdon SS12

Anna Langdon SS12

The mirror of history

Browsing through the online pages of a favourite magazine Dirndl Magazine I found these astonishing images of historic dirndls. I hope you like them too:

Christmas has come early ...

Can't wait for the x-mas break, the reading list is growing, a hot toddy is waiting, only three more sleeps. Here's what's been waiting for me on my dressing table

This needs no introduction: the eagerly awaited autobiography of the one and only

; a German book about the modern dirndl:

; and last, but not least, the wonderful Uman 5: Franz Ferdinand, a book about 'Tracht', German traditional costume, which is where the tradition of the dirndl stems from, but this is a book about 'Tracht' from a man's perspective. It's gorgeous too.

One man, one vision ....

Here at Dirndlqueen we are big followers of photography. An absolute favourite (and has been for a very long time) is Juergen Teller, also originally from the land of the dirndl and now residing in London. 

For those unfamiliar with his work, dip into the wonderful Märchenstüberl, a great collection of the fantastical and the everyday, or the very fitting Tracht, or just have a peek below. 

Or go see his upcoming exhibition at the ICA, Woo. 

All Juergen Teller

Inspiration?

David suggested this as an inspiration for the new fabric collection, he was of course joking, but, too late, I'm on it!

Today we launch in Beta!

Dirndlqueen Press Release

The traditional German dirndl

A dirndl by London fashion-start up Dirndlqueen

 

Launch of British fashion-start up DIRNDLQUEEN: bringing the dirndl to London town.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wear it sexy, tomboy or luxe – a dirndl from London label Dirndlqueen is S/S13's must-have quirky classic with a twist.

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Dirndlqueen is pleased to announce the launch of her first collection of contemporary British dirndl dresses - ‘Buttons’ - due to hit the shops in Spring 2013.

Dirndlqueen offers a contemporary twist on the time honoured dirndl dress. The British-made dirndls are re-made classics using original English fabrics in bicolour contrast prints: the dirndl is getting a radical new London look.

Mixing the flattering dirndl cut with English heritage fabrics, including buttons, ribbons, tassels and trimmings, Dirndlqueen dresses are super-luxe, laid back, mash-up designs.

Each dirndl in the DQ Spring/Summer 2013 ‘Buttons’ series is made from traditional Liberty fabrics and has five traditional silver buttons, inspired by a set of King George II sterling silver buttons made in 1740 by the famed Sandylands Drinkwater of London.

For more information and press pictures see www.thedirndlqueen.com
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The full press release can be found here. If you require high res images please contact us on 07989949303 or heyyou@thedirndlqueen.com.  

DQ's übermuse on London and the perfect dress

In 2010 Vivienne Westwood, together with her husband Andreas Kronthaler, was crowned "Ambassador of the Dirndl". This is an extract of an interview posted at the time and, below, a picture of a Westwood dirndl from the 2010 collection.