NEW YORK — An avant-garde group of Dutch designers descended on the Big Apple last week for their first joint fashion show in the U.S.
Organized by the Dutch Fashion Foundation and held at the nightclub Bed, the show was anything but sleepy. For starters, Bas Kosters chose to set his models loose lip-synching with broomsticks, downing Heinekens and dancing to head-banging punk music while wearing metallic pink shorts and shredded jackets. Percy Irauqsuin, on the other hand, a former Christian Lacroix assistant, went with a more subdued vignette to show off his pristine dresses. Jan Taminiau, Mada van Gaans, Wolf Homme and Keupr/vanBentm also displayed their designs.
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This was a warm up for “Dutch Touch,” which will include a more formal runway show during 7th on Sixth in September, a smattering of parties and exhibitions at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the National Arts Club, the design store Moss in SoHo and possibly the Guggenheim here. Similar events will be held in Paris this spring.
Collaborating is natural for Dutch fashion designers, who make a habit of teaming up with video artists and other creative people outside their medium. As unlikely as it might sound, Kosters, who has a music band of five or 45 depending on the day, is making Bugaboo’s first fashionable baby stroller, which will be introduced at the end of the year.
DFF’s creative director, Angelique Westerhof, said, “We really feel New York doesn’t know us yet. Dutch fashion always comes from a very thoughtful way of designing.”
Consider the woman who feigned sleep under what looked like a yellow and green throw. She turned out to be a model and her covers doubled as a Jan Taminiau strapless wrap dress. The tapestry-style print was inspired by a similar one on display at the Netherlands Textile Museum and favored by the queen.
Van Gaans said she was curious to see what Americans would think of her clothes since she aims to sell to stores in the States. “In my opinion, America is more chic, but maybe our style is a little more loose with experimental details,” she said.
Mary Alice Stephenson, who cohosted the event with her future sister-in-law, Frederique van der Wal, said, “This is kind of perfect after sitting through the New York collections in the big tents with all the hoopla.”
Van der Wal, a native of The Hague, was impressed. “These designers are not talking about bringing something back. They are creating their own ideas.”