Arnhem Mode Biennale 2011: Dutch Design

During the Arnhem Mode Biënnale Dutch Design is well represented. You can, for instance, take a look at some of the designs Klavers van Engelen and Iris van Herpen made.

A design made by Iris van Herpen is placed within the exposition as a fountain. The design (A/W 2011) already told a great story on water and now this story is visualized even better.

Klavers van Engelen showed their airy designs, brought to live by small windmills, making the dresses dance with the wind. Their question: “Wanna Dance Amber?”

 

Klavers van Engelen Collection FW2011

For coming fall Niels Klavers and Astrid van Engelen, the Dutch designers behind Klavers van Engelen, continued their search for designing as minimal as possible. They still want to create maximum effect wit less and less interventions.

The overall look is that of a beautiful piece of fabric thrown on the body by a gentle breeze. Adding knitwear to the Klavers van Engelen line for the first time, in downy and weightless mohair, as well as a deep dyed curly goat fur, they further explored their signature purist design principles.

Two different rectangular pieces of fabric sandwich the body to make a top or dress, a mohair knit in front and a washed silk for the much shorter back. Complexity and ease merge in dresses and trousers with large integrated square shaped shawls that can be worn loose over the shoulder or tied around the neck creating a sophisticated draped top. Graphic effects were created by using different fabrics and colors, and the designers also tried to change the view on their creations, the front and back of some dressed were different in color, fit and fabric.

The colour palette starts with the Klavers van Engelen signature ‘flame’ orange and ends in a solid silver grey. Inspired by Mark Rothko’s great colorfield paintings juxtaposing precious shades such as daffodil, mustard, cerise, grape, loganberry, bordeaux, bronze, a wonderful deep fawn, chocolate, latte and just a touch of black creates a mesmerizing effect.

Again the design-duo made a collection that looked simply beautiful from the outside, as if it was created accidentally. But take a closer look and you’ll see true designs that will keep surprising you by every movement.

All dressed up at the MBDFA 2009

Since it was storming outside and the red carpet was all up in the air, there were no good picture-moments during the arrival of the guests at the Mercedes Benz Dutch Fashion Awards last friday at the Grote Kerk in The Hague. So when everyone was inside and had modelled their hair and powdered their noses we took our chance and spotted some interesting guests in striking outfits.
It appeared Dutch design was well represented. While a few people wore outfits from upcoming designers, others wore clothes from well-known brands. Many women wore dresses by Klavers van Engelen, the winner of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Award 2007. The designs of Bas Kosters, one of the night’s nominees, were clearly present too.
Of course we asked everyone which nominated designer they thought should win. Although every designer was named a few times, Bas Kosters en Mada van Gaans seemed to be the favourites of the audience. Yet, unfortunately for them, the jury gets to decide who will win on this important Dutch fashion night.

And hopefully next year, we will spot men in the designs of Sjaak Hullekes, this years winner.

Tess van Daelen

In between: Klavers van Engelen ss2010

Due to circumstances we all can figure out KlaversVanEngelen couldn’t show during Milan Fashion Week. But they certainly designed a ss-2010 collection. They used their signature long, lean silouet for draping and layering beautiful fabrics which were sometimes mixed structures. The overall effect was light and airy.

Klavers & van Engelen Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

Dutch Fashion Awards 2008 nominees

Dutch Fashion Awards 2008 nominees: van Benthum, Mada van Gaans, G+N, Monique van Heist, Joline Jolink and Jeroen van Tuyl.

Tribute to Percy Irausquin before the nominees’ shows

Previous years winners: Klavers & van Engelen

Klavers van Engelen Catwalk Fashion Show SS09

Klavers & van Engelen Catwalk Fashion Show