Dear Filep and iDEALS, ever since the preview in July during Amsterdam's Fashion Week, I was looking forward to the full High Fashion Low Countries exhibition in Brussels. Yesteray I found myself in Brussels for the opening and what a wonderful experience that was!!
The HFLC exhibition is open from 12th till the 26th of October at MAD Mode And Design Brussels.Click here for more information.
As this is the first joint effort between Dutch and Belgian institutions in years, "High Fashion, Low Countries" is a project focusing the development of new ideas within fashion design and the importance of knowledge, sharing and collaboration. Sustainable development, the recuperation of traditional crafts and the injection of high-technology into new materials and techniques are all topics gaining attention amongst entrepreneurs, investors and designers the over the world. The new market demands for high-quality standards
and sustainable products which can only be accomplished through a process of deep research, innovation and experimentation that often takes place within our own countries.
Three emerging designers from Belgium and another three from The Netherlands were selected to create a capsule couture collection each, by collaborating with local artisans, researching on alternative sustainable materials and some of the latest technologies. When the fashion industry seeks constant change and reinvention these selected designers represent the search for alternatives that fit best the coming times in fashion design.
Designers invited to create an exclusive capsule collection for this exhibition are Lena Lumelsky (BE), Céline De Schepper (BE), Katrien Van Hecke (BE), Jantine Van Peski (NL), Pauline Van Dongen (NL) and Natalie De Koning (NL).
Next to them, six recent graduates fresh from prestigious Dutch and Belgian schools were chosen to represent the future talent to watch from the Low Countries, based on their innovative creations and their take on craftsmanship and sustainable design.
The fashion graduates selected to show their collections during this event are: Manon Kündig (Antwerp Academy, BE), Klaas Rommelaere (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Ghent, BE), Morta Griskeviciute (Gerrit Rietveld Academy, NL), Yvonne Kwok (Amfi, NL), Aliki Van Der Kruis (Sandberg Institute, NL), Jef Montez (Artez, NL)
High Fashion Low Countries is an initiative of The Dutch Embassy in Brussels. A project curated by Javier Barcala and Eve-Marie Kuijstermans.
Text and images
by
The Netherlands
Reported from Brussels
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