#OneToWatch from Fashionclash Festival 2018: Carlijn Veurink

May I introduce you to Carlijn Veurink?! The young designer recently (2017) graduated from the Product Design department at ArtEZ Institute of the Arts Arnhem, NL. The theme of the 10th edition of Fashionclash Festival was: Fashion – My Religion! Even though her background is product design she has always had a great interest in the performing arts. She’s always attentive towards interdisciplinary collaborations to go beyond the borders of her own background. We had a little chat with the young creative mind about her work!

Name: Carlijn Veurink / Age: 22 / Hometown: Arnhem (NL) / Menswear or Womenswear: Unisex

KALTBLUT: Fashion – My Religion.. what does this means to you?

Religion and fashion both are ways to express and expand yourself. A | Scen | Dance, controlling influence, refers to the way you must create your own autonomy within these concepts to make them personal.

KALTBLUT: Hello. Welcome to KALTBLUT. Why have you decided to participate at FASHIONCLASH Festival?

I was walking around with this idea in my head of a combination of a fashion show and dance performance but didn’t know in which way I wanted to execute this. FASHIONCLASH seemed like the perfect platform to experiment with something like this, because they are so open for interdisciplinary design. I collaborated with Studio Akatak and dancer Wies Berkhout for the dance solo opening of my show.

KALTBLUT: Can you tell us something about the collection you presented at the FASHIONCLASH Festival 2018? What was your inspiration?

Everyone has their own way. Their own way of acting, thinking and moving. This collection consists of different suits which react to your body. I see every costume as if they have their own character. Your movements trigger this character to behave in a certain way. I tried to create a tension between the wearer and the costume.

KALTBLUT: What kind of material did you used for the collection?

I used a stiff pleated fabric and paper. The materials I chose must have their own way of reacting to movement. The changes in positions of the body needs to be transformed into new shapes by these materials. The movements echo through the material which allows the suit to dance along with you. The textiles have their own structure which gives them their own characteristic shape and outline.

KALTBLUT: What challenges did you face during the design process?

It can be challenging to make my ideas actually work the way they work in my imagination. Sometimes I think too big and am not able to make them reality. But at the same time that is my favourite part of my design process, because my ideas finally become physical. It’s amazing when you find a creative solution and it turns out in something fascinating.

KALTBLUT: How would you describe your self and your work?

I see myself as a scenario writer. I like to imagine scenarios in which people behave, move or react in different ways than they would normally do. I use design to create and visualise these scenarios. I try to make other people wonder about how we do or make things.

KALTBLUT: What would you say that is the biggest influence to your design process?

Improvisation. I get triggered by unexpected outcomes and shapes. My whole design process consists of material experiments with transformation and movement. When something happens on which a haven’t anticipated, I know it is becoming something good.

KALTBLUT: If you had not become a designer, what would you do instead?

I would’ve really liked to be a performer myself. I love theatre. I want to do more collaborations with dancers and actors. I think this interdisciplinary approach and the performers who wear the costumes are what makes my collection come alive.

KALTBLUT: Who’s your dream client?

It would be amazing to work with Het Nationale Ballet or any other dance or theatre company.

KALTBLUT: What was the first item you have ever designed? And who was the lucky one to get it?

The first year at my art academy we design an accessory. This was a collar with black transparent layers. I still have it myself but now I think about it I would make a great present.

KALTBLUT: What can we expect from you in near future?

I am definitely going to see if I can make costumes for a performance other than a fashion show. I would love to do a new collaboration with the dancer Wies Berkhout because she did so amazing during FASHIONCLASH.

KALTBLUT: Where can we buy your fashion?

All of my pieces are made for a specific performance so they are not really for sale.