Shopping in Amsterdam? Visit the OntFront Store!

Dutch menswear label OntFront opens their first brand store in Amsterdam at Haarlemmerdijk 121.

OntFront is contemporary designer brand for men, founded by the passionate entrepreneurs Tomas Overtoom and Liza Koifman. They’ve been creating collections since 2007 for the style conscious man with a rebellious touch—the bad boy and the gentleman. After fashion shows in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Shanghai and several pop up stores, the time has come for the official opening of the first OntFront brand store.

The interior of the store reflects the character of OntFront perfectly: smart with a rugged twist. Espresso brown walls give a warm yet manly feel. The golden clothing racks (designed by architect ADA design) float above the collections as crowns of kings.

At the entrance, a large picture of a Zazou is portrayed: a dandy rebel from Paris in 1944. The Zazous were an infamous subculture during the Second World War. These youngsters showed their identity and vision on life through clothing and slick hairdos. It was the time of bebop and swing jazz. The Zazou represents everything that OntFront stands for: style, music, originality, vision and creativity.

Next to the collections of OntFront, accessories, shoes and perfume are being sold from labels like Spyker, United Nude, Van Well, Filling Pieces, Gourmet, Fromanteel, Von Eusersdorff and Pasotti Ombrelli. You can also find a classic bebop hat, tie, or bow tie. All must-haves to go through life as a modern Zazou.

See more shots of the store here.



Photos & text Copyright OntFront.

“Shift Gear” with Ontfront

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES! If you love racing, OntFront’s “Shift Gear” must hit that racing bug.

Beautiful black, stream-lined cars and lots of horsepower was the inspiration for OntFront’s fifth collection, ‘“Shift Gear”.

“I’ve always had a love for the aesthetics of car design. Spyker, Lamborghini …The aerodynamic lines and forms of fast cars are the basis for this collection of OntFront.” Head Designer, Liza Koifman

The 68-piece collection, which consists of jackets, t-shirts, jeans, shirts, and unique blazers, is primarily made with dark colours like asphalt and car tire black, with highlights in red and eggplant colour. The Italian and French imported materials are high in quality being both ‘water resistant’ and breathable.

Lookbook “Shift Gear”

Lookbook by Marnix Postma, Copyright OntFront.

Ontfront (Fall/Winter 2010-2011)
from JAN (JustAnotherNerd) on Vimeo.
Director - Tjeerd Braat
D.O.P. - Marnix Postma (www.marnixpostma.com)
Animation & Editing - Tjeerd Braat (tjeerd@justanothernerd.nl)
Track - Curtamos - Trouble (www.curtamos.com)
Sound FX - Christian Cardenas (www.sparkbeatz.com)
Models: Erasmus @ Ulla Models & Matthieu @ Name models

Text by Ajanaku & photo top center, Copyright OntFront.

“Shift Gear” in Autumn/Winter 2010 by Ontfront

Racecars assembled at the starting line, motors revving up into a thunderous roar—it’s “Shift Gear” in gear with OntFront, men’s sidewalk-tailored street gear!

The flag goes down in a whoosh; the cars peel out in a screech, winding around the track—it’s January 30 at Amsterdam International Fashion Week.

Like a true carrozzeria (‘coachbuilder’), Ontfront has assembled for autumn/winter 2010 a collection of 68 pieces, all inspired by the world of Italian car racing—streamlined, aerodynamic, and trophy-garnering models!

If you are living the fast life, travelling, racing, and going out—Ontfront is the bad-boy gentleman label for you!



Photos by Peter Stigter, 2010 a/w collection, Copyright OntFront.

“Tonight is the Knight” with Ontrfont

On the last day of Amsterdam International Fashion Week (July 22-26), designer Liza Koifman and creative director Tomas Overtoom of Ontfront heralded the advent of their 2010 spring/summer collection with “Tonight is the Knight.”

Gracefully mounted on a decorated destrier—the Medieval ‘great horse’—a consort of elegant sorts sounded the trumpet and led the armored cavalry into chic battle array.

Knight upon knight clad in shining armor proceeded to clank down the runway, plundering the hearts of besieged onlookers and pillaging the applause that resounded in the pavilion.

The tournament climaxed in a flanking arrangement of stylistic fashion as the final knight, donning hand gauntlets and shoulder pauldrons, removed the cumbersome helm from his head and bowed in chivalrous valor.

“Tonight is the Knight” is designed to catapult the bold sophistication of the valiant medieval knight into comfortable gallantry for the modern-day street cavalier.

Like the black and white chess knights adorning the collection, “Tonight is the Knight” will harness you with the graceful attire to lay siege to any imposing bulwark in your life.



Photo 2010 s/s collection “Tonight is the Knight” Copyright Peter Stigter.
Slideshow 2010 s/s collection “Tonight is the Knight” Copyright Peter Stigter.

What the Designers are Saying...

Like most readers of my articles, I share an intense passion for menswear and, in particular, for the myriad of individuals who bring innovative men's fashion to us everyday, from designer to retailer.

The means I choose to express this deep-felt gratitude is through my writings. For this reason, my primary reward is to receive feedback from the various subjects of my articles. Here are a few quotes of what some designers and their staff are saying:

Tomas Overtoom of OntFront
Thank you for your wonderful articles. Your eloquence reaches for the sky. Compliments how well you understand Liza, the brand, and the collections.

Shinchiro Shimojo of Under Castle
I have read your article about my "Cross Wear" and was glad that you understood my concepts deeply. I enjoyed reading it very much, indeed!

Chris Kelly of Theatre de la Mode
The article is fantastic. Thank you for such a great write up.

Tani
Thank you! Namaste! Grazie! It's so great!! I'm mailing the site to my family and friends!!!!

Article 23
Thank you for your article, we are very satisfied of this collaboration.

Prophetik
Enjoyed your article about Prophetik...

John Rocha
Thank you for sending this through. It reads very well and we will definitely forward it to John.

Michael Londrigan
Thank you for taking the time to write these articles. I truly appreciate it.

Andrea for Ute Ploier
Your article is fantastic! Thank you very much for letting us know! You are welcome to send more questions anytime.

Anco Sneep of Rubia Pigmenta Naturalia
Wonderful job you did! Thanks!

Messagerie
Abbiamo letto l'articolo sulla nostra linea da lei pubblicato e vorremmo sinceramente ringraziarla per le belle parole. Complimenti per la documentazione sulla storia di San Marino!

Organizer of Seattle Fashion Week
You probably get this alot, but those articles are amazing. You really captured the spirit of SFW and I truly appreciate it.

You may find additional responses at What the Designers Keep on Saying..., What the Designers have been Saying, and Some More of What the Designers Are Saying.

Jazzy "Midnight Sessions" by OntFront

Addictive for its unusual beats and rhythmic surprises, Jazz originated at the dawn of the 20th century in cities from New Orleans to Chicago and was soon popularized through mediums like the phonograph record, the radio, and the advent of sound movies. The music genre hit a crescendo in the Roaring Twenties, spawning numerous subgenres thereafter like big band swing, Dixieland, bebop, and hip hop.

The 1920’s have been syncopated as the Age of Jazz, when a minority’s melodic subculture harmonized with the chords of the majority's mainstream. Jazz soon danced right out of its own shoes and into social movements, propelling women’s liberation and the entire fashion industry. Imagine swinging to the Charleston in Victorian clothes!

Earlier jazz musicians performed behind the closed doors of dark, smokey brothels, speakeasies, and bars in New Orleans' red light district, donning sport clothes, high waisted jackets with belts, and straight legged trousers that were cuffed high enough to show the socks! Within this underground scene of sweaty jazz, Midnight Sessions were born, mixing it up with trench coats, baseball jackets, hooded sweaters, blazers, and double breasted vests!

Nostalgic as the blues, yet futuristic as urban rap, Midnight Sessions was inspired by musicians like Sonny Rollins, Jelly Roll, Count Basie, Tommy Flanagan, and Benny Carter for their creative chord progressions, catchy rebellion, and perfect tailored clothing.

OntFront’s claim to fame lies in the tune of sidewalk tailoring, which improvises classic suit craftsmanship with the ad-lib finesse of the streets. So turn off my play list below, sit back, and have a sip of whiskey with designer Liza Koifman as you listen to the syncopation of Midnight Sessions.

Slide show 2009 s/s Midnight Sessions Collection Copyright by OntFront.
Model: Jean-Paul.
Photography: Jochem Sanders.

OntFront Goes Emperialistic with Nicholas II

What do Tsar Nicholas II and 26-year old designer Liza Koifman have in common? St. Petersburg and OntFront’s new 2009 f/w collection entitled Emperialistic.

Little Nicky was son of the stunning Princess of Denmark, Maria Fyodorovna, and a tall intimidating father, Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov. Although shorter than Alexander, Nicholas II grew into a regal figure with deep blue eyes and a thick brown beard with golden highlights.

One of the most educated European monarchs of his time, Nicholas II was raised somewhat isolated from his intellectual and artistic peers, which would later seal his fate. But he adored music, especially Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, and most of all Nicholas loved his country. Although he was disposed by the Bolsheviks in 1917, becoming Russia's last Tsarevich, Nicholas was not the nation's last aristocrat!

Some of Nicholas' legacies include his impeccable dress and sumptuous uniforms. In 1903, Nicholas II and his wife hosted a lavish dress ball for Russia's aristocracy. They commissioned the nation's most illustrious tailors, such as the directors of imperial theaters and the Hermitage, who designed national 17th-century costumes, sparking a revival in traditional Russian dress.

Now, Liza Koifman continues the legacy of Nicholas II by inviting today's rising "aristocracy of the streets" to OntFront's sophisticated androgynous dress ball of renewed Russian dress! Employing the most exclusive fabrics, Liza adorns these urban uniforms with the armorial bearings of the Russian imperial family to outfit you like an modern aristocrat!



Slide show a/w 2009 Emperialistic Collection Copyright by OntFront.
Photo top right Nicholas II Copyright Wikipedia public domain.

OntFront's Eruption: Liza Koifman

Liza Koifman was born 1982 in Petrapavlovsk—a city that sits high on a hill, surrounded by numerous volcanoes and located in the far eastern region of Russia’s Pacific coast.

A year after her birth, Liza's family relocated to Leningrad, modern-day Saint Petersburg, where she was raised until the age of 9. Eventually Liza had lost contact with her father, a Soviet Jew, who decided to make aliyah, migrating to Israel in escape of repression.

Soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Liza and her mother moved to the Netherlands, where she has lived since since 1991, studying Costume Design at the National Film Academy in Amsterdam. Although Liza began designing costumes for film and video productions after graduation, she could not contain the urge for individual creative expression, which was erupting within her.

Meanwhile in 2005, DJ and entrepreneur Tomas Overtoom was making local tremors with his own ground-shaking creativity, hosting a masked hip hop event called OntFront—Don’t Put up a Front!—which aimed at promoting fresh talent like artists, musicians, and fashion designers. Liza wasted no time in signing up!

Together, Tomas and Liza's passion for style triggered an earthquake: a new line of menswear that would express the stylishness and self-rule of their generation’s intelligent but slightly rebellious men.

Reflecting the demographic nature and multi-cultural allure of Amsterdam, Tomas and Liza have shaken the city with the finest men from all ethnic backgrounds who model their collections: Russians, Indonesians, Chinese, Africans, Italians, and more.

What inspires Liza's creations is strength of character; namely, real icons—men who impact their generation! She deviates from the modern trends of aesthetic arguments that search for beauty in unpleasant objects and result in misshaped designs.

Rather, Liza’s canvas is the male human body: “Men are interesting creatures,” she remarks. “Making clothes for them gives me an opportunity to study these creatures and find out their interests. Every day I try to crack the secret code. I think I'm getting there!”

Liza’s designs for men with the aim of empowering them to feel sharp and confident enough to stand out in the crowd. Liza insists that modern men are ready for innovation. “As a woman, I feel spoiled by having so many choices when I'm shopping. Men deserve the same treatment.”

When Liza and Tomas sent the two posted photos, he wrote, They have "never been published, so you are the first to see them."

What an honor for Men's Fashions by Francesco and our readers!

Dank u, Tomas! Kомплименты, Liza!

Photos 2009 a/w collection copyright OntFront.
Photography: Marnix Postma
Model: Yukee @ TRCP
Hair and Makeup: Chantal Garden @ Tommy'z Toko

(Top right Liza Koifman photo by Dennis.)