Benelux Beckons: Amsterdam Fashion Week

by Dara • Monday, May 7, 2007 • No comments

Dara at Amsterdam Fashion Week’s opening bash.

There’s a booming fashion scene beyond New York, Paris, Milan and London. Case in point: Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW) kicked-off their fifth season in July ‘06 at the ultra cool Westergasfabriek (a.k.a. former Gas Works).

a model strutting down the catwalk

Housed in a tented in-door space (a baby-sized version of New York’s Bryant Park), a bevy of international stylists, editors (including the Fashion Junkie) and buyers filled stadium seats to preview dozens of catwalk shows, seminars (100 years of Dutch Fashion), workshops, parties, film screenings, trade shows and fashion exhibitions. Some Dutch designers that should be on your radar screen: G-star, Mart Visser Collection, Hans Ubbink, Blue Blood, Percy Irausquin, Daryl van Wouw, Emily Hermans, Der Kommissar and Edwin.

a Dutch diva dressed in a local designer

The cool quotient continued with a week-long series of “Laundry Days” shopping events held at hip retail spots throughout the City. Participating shop window displays were decorated with funky Laundry Days logos and some of the latest Dutch fashion designs. For those who missed out on the scene, a free “Fashion Weekly” newspaper was distributed everywhere.