When did you start?
In 2007 and I opened the Studio-Boutique here in the Jordaan in 2009. Coming here was a bit of a shock as I was used to having a big place in the north of amsterdam, in a big old
school with other artists. I thought ‘how I’m gonna get everything in here?’ As you can see I’ve filled up the space with materials and stuff.

Do you have a favourite fashion designer that inspires or has inspired you?
Yes I do, Comme de Garcon and Alexander Mc Queen. Recently I went to the Vogue festival in London and I was quite impressed by Stella Mcartney as a person.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a fashion designer?
Dont do it (laughing). Go and get a 9 to 5 job. You really have to love it because it is so much hard work! I went to the Rietvield Academy and it was great. I started as a pattern cutter and I was working during the day and going to school in the evening. At a certain point I left my job and decided to study full time and dedicate myself only to that, and it was a fantastic period, lots of experimenting and ideas.

Tell us a bit about your new collection
I’m working on the Brown Clothes summer collection 2013, Warrior Part 2. It’s a progression of my last winter collection Warrior Part 1. I’m developing the new collection using the forms and ideas of the previous one but using new materials more suitable for the summer and more sculptural. It’s very nice to work in this way. The fashion industry is so fast nowadays, every six months you have to have something new, and I felt like I had more to add to my warrior project.

When are you going to present the collection to the public?
This is a bit of a secret, as I have a few ideas in mind.

Interview by: Monyart
Photography: Lonneke van der Palen.