Found a nice parking spot in the beautiful old city of The Hague. Very glad I sat just in time on my seat in the crowded Great Church. The Dutch Fashion Awards are handed out tonight and also turns out to be the kick-of of the first fashion week at The Hague. Enjoyed the beautiful lighted ceiling and waited of full exitement, because I can so easily imagine the nerves shriek through the bodies of the nominees: Erik Frenken, Marcha Hüskes, Conny Groenewegen, Joline Jolink and Hyun Yeu. Had not sat five minutes at my seat and had a complaining neighbour beside me. Who works in the fashion industry. "This is only reserved for a certain group of people, all of these are graduates of Arnhem". The Dutch Fashion Foundation introduction film was started and again he said: "Always the same heads!" Then I spent almost the whole show nexto a complaining person. I tried my best to positively explain that we may be delighted with such a platform and designers all work in their own way. Everyone is doing his best, everyone has their own goals. Eventually he concluded that I am too nice and too sweet for the Dutch fashion world. The other seat next to me was empty, because our young photographer, Bryan Leijenhorst, was busy taking photographs tof the catwalk with a huge camera.
Angelique Westerhof is the founder of the Dutch Fashion Foundation in, Fashion Institute Arnhem fashion masters and is the initiator of the Dutch Fashion Awards. And what does she do it almost un-Dutch good! She can articulate her vision so beautifully through the microphone. While she is an appearance (as always) in a very beautiful bright coral-orange long dress made by another young designer. She moved back and forth and seems to float on the catwalk. She is and remains the queen of the young Dutch fashion designers. The presenter of the evening and many women still can learn from.
A spicy serious international jury observed these new talents. Important fashion people who can help designers really 10 steps ahead in the international fashion world. They have enormous good connectons, background, experience and the tools. Because that is what matters, so these designers can develop internationally at a certain higher level. As described on the Dutch Fashion Foundation Website: the Dutch Fashion Awards offer Dutch talent with international potential a platform and promote innovative design. The nominees are chosen by the Academy of Dutch Fashion Design, a broad group of fashion professionals, and must be nominated by at least three members. The judges were: Armand Hadida, owner of l'Eclarieur and Tranoi high end fashion fair in Paris. Tiziana Cardini, fashion director Rinascente Milan (former fashion director Glamour and many more) Barbara Masteroroundes, Director of worldwide Luxury Group PPR, senior HR manager for London, cat Nadj Luxury Group PPR London, Tiziano Cereda, owner of Biffi and Banner boutiques and showroom SpazioGenova in Milan.
And the winner of the Mercedez-Benz Dutch design Awards is: Connie Groenewegen! A prestigious price of 25.000 euro. Fabiana did the Word: "The jury was instantly and unanimously convinced by the artistic integrity of this designer who provides the fashion industry with much needed oxygen. " And she also won the "International Incubator Award '. Jury Member said, "The only designer who made today's members of the jury eager to buy the product for themselves to wear-right there on the spot and off the rack: this designer truly deserves this International Incubator Award 2011". Menswear designer Hyun Yeu won the DUTCH Incubator Award. "This designer convinced the jury proposing a playful take on a contemporary wardrobe; classic styling with a twist, witty detailing and a nice sense of colour", said juror Tiziana Cardini. His collection will be sold at the Bijenkorf.
Mr. Hadida made clear very well to the public in a moment at the end, why Connie Groenewegen had won. Today the international fashion world needs designers who are unique, have a very distinct style and are above all innovative. Connie, who in addition won two awards, works purely from creativity, research and innovation. A designer who brings fresh ideas to the fashion world, has an enormous sense for innovative use of materials. A designer that makes a difference with her creative product which also can be really worn. You have to struggle today as a fashion designer to make a difference. The international fashion world is not very much waiting for yet another ' basic ' fashion brand. A designer may be an artist and designs can be a form of art. I was in a little bit shock of the negative note of Erik Frenken in his introduction movie. That fashion is not art and art is not something what you wear and and he expressed himself negatively about. That's not a very cleaver thing to say. I think you should let everyone, in any case in its value. If that is not yours, then you don't talk about it. Stick to your own thing. Every designer or artist works passionated on his best, on his way. In my opinion not such an added value if you have already accomplished so much with a wonderful commercial brand as Avelon.
Felt a bitter atmosphere. Why can't everyone just not happy and be proud of each other. A crisis time to work together and help each other. It is ultimately good for all of us that the Netherlands is today so enormously grown on the international fashion stage . At the afterdrink I discovered that some guests have very well understood where its’s all about nowadays. To put down your own unique style. Bumped into fashion icons wearing very special outfits, beautifully put together. Just fashion people with a certain vision, fashion stylists and other designers. Bryan took some great snapshots…
Photography by Bryan van Leijenhorst, collages by EAH! See more images below.
Enjoy
x x x
