SHOW ROOM ROOM SHOW

The handwritten, scribbled invite already gave us a big hint; Show Room Room Show wasn’t going to be just another fashion show. Nope. Camiel Fortgens, Barbara Langendijk, Karin Vlug & Lisa Konno and Schueller de Waal, six young Dutch designers were about to switch things up a bit. Away from the glitter, glamour and fast speed fashion rhythm. As we arrived at their show venue, a former monastery, on Tuesday night we were welcomed in what seemed like a large living room. Old chairs, couches, pillows and bowls filled with crisps and peanuts all around. Disposable camera’s on the floor for the audience to use. House party meets fashion presentation; an intimate set-up meant to lead to surprising meet-ups and conversations, besides just showing the new collections. And just that really happened. An aspiring styliste from Maastricht sitting next to me told me she drove five hours just to witness this fashion gathering, her first show, hoping to be surprised. Boy was she in for a treat. After Camiel Fortgens models paraded in their sand colored layered and neutral menswear looks to hip hop music, Barbara Langendijk had dancer Yevgeniia Lavrenchuck taking the stage, talking to us about purple being her favorite color and then showing us just how comfortable her body made of banana leaves was. Karin Vlug and Lisa Konno pulled a Viktor & Rolf, dressing their frizzy haired models on the runway. The girls were dressed in cool, quite sober fashion pieces, all variations to the square shirt, in white coton and denim with colorful buttons as a playful touch. Then Schueller de Waal turned the room show into an unforgettable night with his fashion sketch. He had Gaga herself (played by Merante in Wonderland) walking into the room searching some clothes in which she could look ‘normal’ again. With the help of a stylist (played by Eva Bartels) she hilariously tried several pieces on eventually leaving the room in a neon garbage dress. Fashion combined with a fun bit of (inter)acting. A brilliant ending of a warm Tuesday night in the city center. On to the next room show. We want more!

Learn more about each designer on their individual websites below: