Running in Heels

Arrondissement AQ1

Posted in Fashionista » Brands » by Tom Bowen :: June 9, 2010

Who are they?

Arrondissement AQ1, known simply as AQ1, is the brainchild of German designer Christina Arend. After studying fashion design in Berlin and undertaking various projects with prolific international designers such as Jasmine De Milo and Fendi, as well as Kaviar Gauche in Berlin, Christina Arend launched AQ1 in 2010. The reason behind the name? AQ1 is the Latin code for eagle and Arend is the Dutch translation for eagle.

Whats the buzz?

With an impressive portfolio behind her, Christina Arend launched her Spring/Summer collection entitled “Sustained Formation” at the 2010 Berlin Fashion Week. She took the event by storm and won the coveted Premium Young Designer Award Spring Summer 2010 for her accessories. The label also had phenomenal success across Europe becoming part of the Tranoi Fashion Fair Paris, AQ1 success even stretches as far as Japan where the label is popular thanks to the EU Gateway programme for young designers. In fact the label is so successful and so buzzed that it even has its own Youtube channel.

The look

AQ1 is, according to the designer, the new femininity: a mix of fluidity, graphic lines, casual and evening wear. ‘Everything is related and forms a unity. The accessories are a special feature of my collection. They complete the entire AQ1 look and make it “unique”. Graphical lines will always be maintained, but broken by different elements, which consistently change’ says Christina.

Important to the AQ1 look are the accessories, bags, belts and jewellery which don’t simply finish outfits, but are an integral part of the designs. The latest collection entitled “Oneness Universe” uses silks, suede and velvet to give a soft contrast to the hard edge of the designs; creating outfits which are ‘as gentle as they are commanding’.