JUNE FASHION MONTH 2023 WAS A TRIBUTE TO ARNHEM’S DEEP-ROOTED LOVE FOR FASHION
In June, the Fashion Month attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Arnhem. From June 2nd to July 2nd, people from all over the Netherlands visited the capital of Gelderland for workshops, fashion shows, exhibitions, lectures, and other fashion and design events. The June Fashion Month started with the ten-day Fashion + Design Festival, which was opened by Mayor Marcouch in Rozet. For five weeks, design, fashion, and creativity took center stage in Arnhem with over 65 events spread across 50 locations in the City Center, Spijkerkwartier, and Modekwartier. In collaboration with institutions such as Museum Arnhem, Rozet, ArtEZ, Rijn IJssel, Focus Film Theater, and the Netherlands Open Air Museum, the June Fashion Month presented a wide range of exhibitions, installations, lectures, and films.
Design in Rozet and Museum Arnhem
The installations created by designers Hans Hutting, Not Just a Collective, WhiteNoiseDADA, Carolien Evers, and Sophie Roumans for the Fashion + Design Festival were on display in Rozet during the June Fashion Month and attracted a large number of visitors. This exhibition, called “Buiten de Lijntjes” (Outside the Lines), featuring designers connected to Arnhem, is free to visit until July 15th.
Astrid Albers from Rozet is delighted with the reactions to the exhibition, saying, “It’s great to see that people who come to Rozet to borrow a book or attend a dance class, get inspired by the exhibition and stay to admire it. The creative workshops associated with the exhibition were also well-attended.” In collaboration with FDFA, Museum Arnhem selected eight designers associated with Arnhem, whose work can be seen in the exhibition “Tussen grenzen” (Between Borders). This exhibition takes visitors into the lives and work of fashion and jewelry designers living between two worlds. The exhibition attracted more than 6,000 visitors during the Fashion Month and can be visited until mid-October. Starting from July 15th, (inter)national artists and people from Arnhem will also share their personal stories about borders and migration.
Graduates and Nighttime Fashion
The graduation presentations of the latest generation of Arnhem’s design talents were well attended this year. From the ArtEZ Graduation Shows at Musis Sacrum to the graduation exhibitions at Museum Arnhem. The students from the fashion programs at Rijn IJssel presented their work during an exhibition in the Witte Villa in Sonsbeek Park and during the Rijn IJssel Fashion Shows at the Arnhem City Hall. The work of the newest generation of Art & Design students in the Rietveld building at ArtEZ, which will be on display from July 5th to 9th, is also expected to attract a large number of visitors. The Arnhem Modekwartier in the Klarendal district was bustling as usual during the Night of Fashion, an accessible event where the designers and creative makers of the Modekwartier opened the doors of their studios and shops, allowing visitors to discover what Arnhem has to offer in terms of creativity.
Shopping during the June Fashion Month
The City Exhibition “Buitengewoon” (Extraordinary) was also part of the June Fashion Month. It featured a series of portraits and stories of extraordinary people, from authentic Arnhem residents and students to exceptional entrepreneurs and established designers who are unafraid to deviate from the established norm. They shared why living ‘Outside the Lines’ is more interesting to them than following the beaten path, what drives them to chart their own course, and what is needed for it. The portraits were displayed in shop windows throughout the Arnhem City Center, Spijkerkwartier, and Modekwartier. Many entrepreneurs in Arnhem participated in the Fashion Month with special promotions, snacks, or drinks. In mid-June, the Bakkerstraat organized a fashion show that attracted many visitors. The Stockdagen Arnhem (Stock Days Arnhem) drew a significant number of fashion and design enthusiasts this year. For four days, visitors could explore stock, samples, and prototypes of fashion, accessories, and product designs from over 85 exhibitors at reduced prices.
With more than 113 creative activities, 12 events, two live performances, three lectures, six fashion shows, and over 15 exhibitions, there was plenty to experience during the Fashion Month.
“This year, during the June Fashion Month, I enjoyed the accessible and beautiful way in which we were able to connect visitors with fashion and design. The way designers, artists, and entrepreneurs support each other and showcase what Arnhem has to offer creatively is very inspiring. We look forward to next year!”
Riëlle Schoeman, General Director of the Fashion + Design Festival Arnhem