Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion

by Iris van Herpen, Mark Wilson, Sue-an van der Zijpp

Dutch designer Iris van Herpen is a pioneering voice in contemporary fashion. At the nexus of art, design, science, and technology, van Herpen's stunning sculptural work expresses a bold vision that seamlessly melds traditional handcraft with cutting -edge technology, including 3-D printing. This exhibition catalogue documents the evolution of van Herpen's couture through extensive photography and an illuminating interview, providing a rare view into the world and work of one of today's most original fashion designers.

Genres: Fashion, Art

392 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2015

About the author

Iris van Herpen is a Dutch fashion designer who is widely recognized as one of fashion’s most talented and forward-thinking creators who continuously pushes the boundaries of fashion design. Since her first show in 2007 van Herpen has been preoccupied with inventing new forms and methods of sartorial expression by combining the most traditional and the most radical materials and garment construction methods into her unique aesthetic vision. She calls this design ethos “New Couture.”

Van Herpen is often hailed as a pioneer in utilizing 3D printing as a garment construction technique, and as an innovator who is comfortable with using technology as one of the guiding principles in her work because of its sculptural nature and unfamiliar form. The designer’s intent is to blend the past and the future into a distinct version of the present by fusing technology and traditional Couture craftsmanship.

Reviews

[?0?0?0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely surprise, another unforgettable fashion book and yet this one is more alive and moving, an experience . . . With each passing page the newcomer or admirer is continually amazed, stunned. Beautiful, near-perfect garments with such elaborate concepts that are ambitiously pulled off with ease, as if each inch of the dress has been put together with a degree of care bordering on the poetic - the eye is drawn in, not wanting to look away. This collection is the best of the best: Iris van Herpen, schooled by McQueen (the influence is obvious: woman as the strong, armour fashioned type opposed to the innumerable male fantasies - the Galliano romantic style or, for instance, Marc Jacobs's hiked up skirts) to be, arguably, the most interesting designer - artist- in her medium (save maybe Alessandro Michele over at Gucci). Her clothes tell stories while remaining highly wearable. Rather than collect one single event or a few years of clothing designs, this book runs through many years, many seasons, many different style decisions and artistic flourishes to behold - you better find a way to make that a possibility, especially if you are at all interested in styles blended with surrealism (Max Ernst comparisons ultimately arise throughout) and looks belonging to the more eccentric spectrum of fashion designers. Yes, "Iras Van Herpen: Transforming Fashion" includes, aside from high definition shots on the runway, pages of interviews with Miss. Van Herpen. If this review is stilted, lacking the scope this book requires in a reviewer, well, I submit you are correct and that someone else, perhaps, on this website could and should do a better job writing one - until then, I am left still shocked at the quality of these designs, and while she may lack the overtly political aspects of McQueen (among other thematic concerns of his) she still nonetheless casts a spell each season far more potent than a department store full of modern designers (granted, what do I know, ask my better half). Well this mess of a write up ends now, hope you go out and grab a copy, chances of disappointment are scant.

[Bail3y · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply divine.
An insight into couture fashion’s most innovative mind and details into her creative process and how she regards science, nature and the role of technology in her work.

The photography is stunning and this book’s essence is why I fell in love with couture and fashion design in the first place!