Interview: Iris van Herpen

I have a weakness. I tend to like some people without (really) knowing them. Like the colourful Anna Piaggi or the ‘Black Widow of Fashion’ Diane Pernet. I was lucky enough to have met Diane during London Fashion Week and she was fabulous.

On her weblog ‘ashadedviewonfashion.com’ she has interviewed the Dutch designer Iris van Herpen.

Iris van Herpen talks about her show in London, her collection Radiation, the materials she uses and her plans for the future.

Read the entire interview here.

Iris van Herpen, Photography by Rollan Didier

Read Full Post »

‘Black’ in MoMu Antwerp

This week, I visited the exhibition Zwart (Black) in the Antwerp’s Fashion Museum. An exhibition filled with the most beautiful black gowns by Givenchy, dressed made of hair by Iris van Herpen, a movie by Gareth Pugh and more.

Not just designs we’ve seen on the catwalk, but also hystorical and traditional black clothing along with the history of the black clothes. Of course, the Little Black Dress by Coco Chanel couldn’t be absent.

There is even, how unruly, a black wedding gown by the brilliant Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf made of black silk satins.

As we see in the art of painting, black  is a genius way of playing with the light. That is way this exhibition closes with the part ‘Meesters van het licht’ (Masters of the light). Outfits made out of feathers, synthetic hair, lace or 3D-creations. That is where you’ll find some genius pieces by Yohji Yamamoto, John Galliano, Patrick van Ommeslaeghe and Alexander McQueen.

Definitely a must-see. If you are under 26 years, the exhibition will only cost you 1 euro.

Read Full Post »

In the spotlight: Iris van Herpen, Synesthesia

Dutch design, I love it. The talent this little country has, is unknown. We have so many great artists, it’s crazy. Today I wanted to take a closer look at Iris van Herpen, a Dutch designer who is doing pretty good. She presented this collection, called Synesthesia, in Londen, during Fashion Week and she was very well received. The rumor is out there, that Lady Gaga wants to wear her creations. Can you blame her?

Iris van Herpen, Synesthesia

Read Full Post »

Love, from London

So, I’ve been so busy this week. I was in London, assisting the Dutch designer Mada van Gaans during London Fashion Week. I reported for ELLE.nl, I have translated it for you! Enjoy!

Mada van Gaans and other Dutch designers are showing their fashion during London Fashion Week in a Dutch Cultural Pop-up Space. 

DUTCH CULTURAL POP-UP SPACE
In the centre of London (Riding House street 40/42) is a space especially for Dutch designers Mada van Gaans, Bas Kosters, Iris van Herpen, EnD, Conny Groenewegen and Non by Kim. After a couple of hours building up the gallery – and a visit by Iris van Herpen who showed her collection on saturdaynight – de space is completely transformed to a chic showroom filled with designs from Holland. The windows are amazing. 

NOW THAT WE ARE HERE….
It is a must to explore the city. Especially when you see all the creative, fashionable types that seem to have taken over the city. From extraordinaire facial decoration to the coolest undergroundpeople covered in piercings: it is very visible that there is a fashionfeast going on in town.

Mada notices the love for leg-fashion in London, people show their legs in such a sophisticated way. Besides that, the gallant nature of the men is a pleasure. Allready two gentlemen have offered to carry our bags. When will these guys visit Holland?!

FASHION WEEK
Around the area of London Fashion Week (SummerSetHouse) is so much going on. Expositions, fashion exhibitions and an unusual amount of talented designers showing their designs in a ‘pass-only’ area. We even ran in to Diane  – Black Widow of Fashion – Pernet, and after Bas Kosters en Mada van Gaans chatting with her, we saw all that talent that showed in here.

To our surprise we saw a exact kopy of a Fong Leng golden ruffles pants at a designer, which name I shall not name. Outside there are lots of people ready with their SLR camera’s, ready to shoot all those fashionable people.

LONDEN BY NIGHT
After enjoying a typical English meal – eh.. Thai – we grab a cab and go to East-West London for an underground bar/café. It’s filled with tiny paintings, a moving horse head, walldecorations, garden gnomes and the toilet is a true photo-exhibition about fashionable London. The music is a great mix of 80’s music and poprock, and tout fashionable London sings a long.

Read Full Post »

Iris van Herpen at Harrods

Sure, I live in a little country, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have talent! It’s more the opposite: we have só much talent. Especially when it considers fashiontalent. Just to name a few: Viktor&Rolf, Daryl van Wouw, Claes Iversen, Paul Herbers (head of Louis Vuitton man), Spijkers & Spijkers, Monique Collignon and I can go on and on like this.

Yet again we can be proud of our fashiontalent, the Dutch designer Iris van Herpen is on her way to big international succes. From the 23st of November untill the 6th of December you can find her collection in the British luxury store Harrods!

So, if you don’t live in Holland, but love her designs anyway, go to Harrods for your own Iris van Herpen!

Iris van Herpen, Radiation, S/S '10

Read Full Post »

Sjaak Hullekes winner Dutch Fashion Awards 09

Congratulations Sjaak Hullekes! He is the winner of the Dutch Fashion Awards 2009 for having the most chance of international succes! His man collection Dany was loved by the judges.

My alltime favorite Bas Kosters also got an award. He won the Dutch Incubator Award (go Bas!) and Iris van Herpen was the winner of the Dutch Fashion Media Award. Congratulations to all. Don’t forget: Hollands fashion talent is enormous!

Picture by DutchFashionAwards

Sjaak Hullekes collection Dany

Read Full Post »