Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects you worked on in your internship.
There were many interesting projects I worked on during my internship, but without a doubt the most important, and my favorite, was the runway collection for Autumn/Winter 2015-16. I had the privilege to assist the design team during the inception, development and production of the collection. I was able to contribute with digital work, help with the organization of styles and fabrications and collaborate with the communication with the factories. Theproject culminated with a trip to Paris to help the team prepare everything for the show, which was unreal.
Q: Where was your favorite place to go to in New York?
New York is an amazing city that has so much to offer it is almost impossible to think of only one favorite place; but if I had to choose it would be Central Park. I enjoyed walking on the park, having a pretzel from time to time and looking at the gorgeous view of Manhattan; it is the perfect combination of romance and modernity that characterizes New York so much. It was also very cool to go ice-skating during the Christmas season with holiday music in the background and a cup of hot chocolate to keep you warm.
Q: Tell us about a funny or interesting moment you have experienced during your program.
Just at the beginning of my program I had to go to one of the suppliers in midtown to get some information that was needed in the studio. After receiving it, the owner of the factory asked me if I wanted to have a look at the place and get to know how the products were made. The brand creates handmade flowers from fabric in a million different ways. I got to see how the fabrics were treated, cut in traditional machines and assembled into appliqués. It was interesting to see that kind of tradition still being used and applied in fashion.
Q: What was your favorite new food you have tried in the United States?
My favorite new food is Korean. I had never had it before New York and a good friend of mine, Korean, happened to know a great place in Korean town. I tried kimchi and Korean stew and I found them delicious. I had such a great experience that when my husband came to visit, I took him there and he really enjoyed it.
Q: What has been your favorite cultural activity so far?
I tried to make the best out of my stay in New York and went to many events. Theater, museums, parades; they were all amazing but the one I found most interesting was the New York art book fair at the PS1 MoMA in Long Island. I liked how many people gathered to look for inspiration of all sorts. From expensive rare editions or art books to cheap independent booklets, everyone was interested in art and opened to interact with other artists. During the event rappers and DJs played live in the venue to keep the atmosphere up.
Q: What are some of the differences, if any, in working in the arts in the United States versus in the Netherlands and/or other countries where you have worked?
I experienced many differences between the two countries, especially in the way of working. New York demands a 24/7 attitude with a lot of energy and drive. People don’t stop moving and they are always hungry for more. What I really like is that the American industry is open to new ideas even if they are very radical and out of the box. In The Netherlands on the other hand has a calmer rhythm and is most important to achieve a balanced level of quality and quantity. What can sometimes be hard in Europe is that people are not as open to any idea because they have seen such much that people would quickly dismiss something that they don’t find interesting.
Q: You recently went to Paris to work with Thom Browne, tell us more about your experience there?
My trip to Paris was the perfect ending to the internship. I saw how everything came together. From the casting, the fittings, the last minute sewing to the dressing of the models it was a race to the start of the show. I had a lot of hours of labor but the adrenaline kept me on track to work as hard as ever. The experience helped me to have a better appreciation of a professional show; to keep in mind the big picture and to be focused and be consistent with the vision of the spectacle.
You can take a closer look at Thom Browne’s Fall 2015 Menswear collection here.
