As a new year unfolds so do our old and “so last season” clothes, but not fear, because fashion designers all over the Netherlands are preparing to wow the public with their new lines. Rosie Khdir finds out more…

The Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW) started six years ago and was set up as an initiative to mark the city as an international hub for fashion. This event takes place twice every year as buyers, brands and press from across the globe congregate to take a peek at the latest Dutch trends.

The first of the two events in 2010 will take place in the last week of January from the 27th-31st, displaying the forthcoming Autumn/Winter collections.

The AIFW takes place at the former Gas Factories in the capital’s ‘Westergas’ area. Here designers, both new and established will show their collections on the catwalks. International interest in Dutch design is growing year on year and the 2010 show looks set to please.

Designers involved include MATTIJS, sponsored by Fortis Bank Nederland, Camilla Norrback, sponsored by Volvo Cars and MADA VAN GAANS who was featured in one of the first AIFW shows back in 2004.

AIFW also includes an event called DOWNTOWN which consists of a number of public catwalk shows, shop launches, parties, expositions and lectures organized in collaboration with local museums, galleries, clubs and shops.

The AIFW alongside Fortis Bank Nederland also hold a Fashion Fasterclass which was founded to provide talented aspiring designers with commercial knowledge about the industry. Topics covered include intellectual property law, logistics, international trade and financial matters.

Unfortunately the show works on an invitation only basis, so the general public isn’t allowed into the main shows. But rest assured that soon reports of the latest Dutch clothing masterpieces will be splashed across papers and Googled on the Web.

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Image credit: Guido van Nispen

Tags: Lifestyle, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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There’s still snow and ice on the ground, it’s bitterly cold and the green shoots of spring seem a long way away. But now is the best time to snap up some of the cheapest deals for the most glorious Dutch springtime attraction, the Keukenhof flower gardens, says Tomas Mowlam.

In March the first crocuses bloom, then daffodils and narcissi and by April the hyacinths and Tulips are in full bloom and they last until May.

Keukenhof is one of the biggest, most impressive and without a doubt most popular of Dutch tourist attractions.

This year’s theme is ‘From Russia with Love’ and the centrepiece will be a 21 x 12 metre mosaic of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the famous red towered cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square, created from almost 65,000 bulbs. After the season over 7 million bulbs are harvested.

There are special events including Orchid Weekend on April 17th and 18th and the largest lily show in the world from May 6th to May 16th.

One of the highlights however is the annual flower parade, which winds round a 40km route and passes through Keukenhof. There are normally over 50 vehicles and floats lavishly decorated and exploding with colour.

The garden holds a special place for many people including J.S. Pennings, Vice-chairman Board of Directors. “I grew up among the flower bulbs,” he said “I was raised with a love for the family business. As a small boy, I worked the land with my father.

“The way he talked about the business had an enormous impact on me. I always thought it was a small miracle to see the flowers bloom again in the spring.

“In the autumn, when the weather turns cold, wet and sombre, that’s when you plant new bulbs in the knowledge that nature will take its course and that they will bloom in all of their beauty and glory in the spring.”

The park was a section of the large Slot Teylingen estate. After the death of Jacob Van Beiren the grounds were landscaped by successive owners into immaculate gardens designed by J.D. and L.P. Zocher.
In 1949 the Mayor of Lisse held an open flower exhibition in the gardens which became an annual affair and the well loved tourist attraction it is today.

It’s open from 8.00 am to 19.30 pm, and we suggest getting there early to avoid the coach loads of tourists.

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Image Credit: Keukenhof

Tags: Netherlands, P&O Ferries by tmowlam
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