PHILIPPE POURHASHEMI REPORTS ON THE FASHION SHOW OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ART IN THE HAGUE – PHOTOS BY CATWALKPICTURES.COM

This was my first time attending the Fashion Show of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague -also known as KABK- and the experience was a positive one. The Royal Academy has several goals in mind, including a desire to compete with some of the best schools in Europe. In order to achieve this and push its promising students, KABK hired Belgian designer Jurgi Persoons, who has led the Fashion & Textile Department since 2013. This welcome Belgian injection has, in fact, energized the Academy, whose graduates managed to find the right balance between creativity and pragmatism. The 9 collections featured in 4th Year all had distinct personalities and narratives, making the event enjoyable and inspiring. Three collections stood out. The first was Fabian Bredt's menswear, which focused on group identities and social stereotypes. With an impressive lineup of multiple outfits, Bredt demonstrated his creative potential as a designer, as well as a critical understanding of the industry. More instinctive and visceral, Merel Bos' uplifting and exotic vision took us to faraway lands and escapist fantasies, adventurously mixing prints, volumes and colors together. Rebellious but impeccably tailored, Olivier Jehee's provocative menswear offering, which was simultaneously inspired by punks, debauched aristocrats and skinheads, delivered a message of acceptance and beauty, denouncing the small-mindedness of homophobia. Whether they be conceptual, seductive or political, these collections had a universal appeal, while maintaining a rather subjective approach. Powered by Keep an Eye Foundation and staged within the striking Electriciteitsfabriek, KABK's Fashion Show 2015 was combined with the Exposed exhibition, featuring installations from the graduating collections, as well as innovative textile projects developed within the walls of the Academy.

 

Best,

 

Philippe 

 

http://www.kabk.nl/