Here is Part II of the cover story that I wrote for the winter issue of the Access Magazine, The Hague based expatriate publication. This particular part examines various facets of Dutch fashion, its international positioning and outlook for the future
Experimental & Conceptual
Thus permeated by the Calvinist tradition of sobriety and purity, Dutch fashion is a unique expression of individual spirit rather than a collective identity.
A while ago I was asked to contribute a cover story for ACCESS, The Hague based quarterly expatriate publication. The winter issue just out explores Dutch fashion and design.
In this cover story I try to explain the emergence of Dutch fashion in the 90-s, delve into its identity and see where Dutch fashion stands today internationally.
What follows below is part I of the story published by the ACCESS magazine
Alber Elbaz has been officiating as creative director at the venerable House of Lanvin, the oldest couture running business, since 2001. Slowly and quietly he has garnered a cult following creating trend-less collections, particularly known for his studied simple cuts and silhouettes that fit all women– young and of a certain age, skinny and shapely, bourgeois and hip. The logo of the House is a mother and a daughter holding hands — a very succinct expression of the brand’s philosophy– create fashion for all.
Great style sensitivity aside, Alber Elbaz has a sense of humor and does not hesitate to indulge in some serious fun.
This autumn Lanvin and Albez Elbaz have ventured into the land of video campaigns. And what a video they produced!
Models dancing to Pitbull I know You Want Me where Alber Elbaz himself makes an appearance, so touching goofy that it completely steals the show.
And here is another video for Christmas. There’s season appropriate magic and there is some techno-electro club fun.
After weeks of speculation, Karin Swerink, till recently editor-in-chief of the Glamour magazine, confirmed that the Dutch edition of Vogue will see the light in 2012.