Amsterdam International Fashion Week… (soooo last week, man!)

Pretty Lady, winner Ann Boogaerts and Remco de Nijs of Gstar (from left to right)

11th edition of AIFW was great fun – Lichting 2009 was my highlight

Last week saw a very successful 11th edition of AIFW. Having been the programme director for editions 1 to 10, it was a ‘strange delight’ to be a guest there for the first time. Part of the event’s success has always been working with a steady team of experienced professionals. Fortunately the team (Piet, Merle, Stephanie, Steven, Interns: good job!) continued this tradition, so the backstage security guys recognised me and didn’t give me any problems getting in.

I was happy to see the event running so smoothly (in fact i have to admit it runs a lot smoother now than it did when i was still around) and progressing; not only on the show schedule (with Badgley Mischka and Replay showing on the official schedule alongside local names blue blood, Claes Iversen, End and Lew) but also on the ‘talent development’ side. Pitch meetings with interested companies, masterclasses, buyer programs and workshops; a lot of effort is put into bridging the gap between ambition and business.

One of the most unique events during AIFW (and the thing i’m probably most proud of achieving) is an event called Lichting; a central graduation show, to which each of the 7 Dutch fashion academies send their 2 best graduates. Organised now for the 3rd time in conjunction with my good friends at HTNK and Premsela, it has become one of the hottest tickets of the week, attracting top press, stylists, recruiters, entrepreneurs and design directors: basically everyone in the country who has an influence on the graduates future careers.

What makes it so unique is probably the fact that ALL Dutch academies support the event, which is sponsored generously by local denim honchos G-Star. Full marks to Jos, Roeland, Remco, Geraldine and everyone else there for their support and commitment to making the event a success. Behind the scenes, the event has probably the best show production team in the Netherlands, with Redken and Maybelline/House of Orange in the ‘cabine’, Nathallie & Bas on choreography, Joanne on production and Sander & Joost on the decks. Compliments and thanks to all involved and apologies to whomever i’ve forgotten.

A fun addition to the event this year was our ‘International Expert Panel’, consisting of London Fashion Week founder Wendy Dagworthy, Iconic Fashion Blogger Suzy Bubble, Photographer/Illustrator/Parisienne Extraordinaire Garance Dore and Lanvin’s menswear meister Lucas Ossendrijver. I was privileged to host the event, and had great fun interviewing our distinguished guests, who really made a valuable contribution to the event. My esteemed friend Cara Schiffelers summed it up excellently : “It’s great to be reminded why we chose the fashion industry to work in, now and then – what a delightful event”. How true.

Ann Boogaerts won the G-Star Raw Talent Award with a collection inspired by Belgian queen Fabiola – she’s off to NY Fashion Week with Francisco van Benthum and the Gstar design team, and will be smiling her way through summer with the 10 grand prize towards her master course in Paris. More information about Lichting 2009 is online at www.lichting09.nl thanks to Premsela and pictures at the always wonderful www.TeamPeterStigter.nl .

Know anyone who’s anyone in Dutch fashion? Start sucking up to them, because you’ve got less than a year to get your hands on tickets for Lichting 2010!