Iris van Herpen: Tools

Abstract

Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen regularly deploys the tools of analogue and digital making in the creation of her collections. This article addresses how van Herpen’s making practice moves beyond the familiar hand/machine dichotomy inherited from the Industrial Revolution to consider, where information is available, the making that literally underpins her practice. Drawing examples from four recurring themes of inspiration apparent across van Herpen’s collections to date—futuristic craft, water, cloth (and its absence from her early work) and biomimicry—the article uses firsthand accounts from the designer available through fashion’s grey literature considered in light of Tim Ingold’s recognition of “skilled practice” occurring through tools be they hands or machines. “Iris van Herpen: Tools” is part two of a trilogy of articles and follows “Iris van Herpen: The Body” and precedes “Iris van Herpen: Collaboration”.

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