Fashionable Amsterdam

Amsterdam International Fashion Week

The foremost Dutch fashion event, Amsterdam International Fashionweek (AIFW) is held twice a year, in January and July. It’s the showcase for young, talented fashion designers. The approach is typically Amsterdam: the traditional well-trodden paths are eschewed for makeshift catwalks placed all over the inner city. Emphasis is also placed on loads of other fashion-related activities such as lectures, exhibitions and parties.

Redlight Fashion

An example of Amsterdam’s quirky fashion scene is an initiative called Redlight fashion. Since January 2008, several former prostitute’s windows in De Wallen – Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District –have been transformed into exhibition spaces and studios for talented clothing, shoes and streetwear designers. The aim is to give the many talented fashion designers in the city a platform to display their creations to the public. It just might be a bit tricky to explain to your wife where you bought her that great dress though.

Shopping

Compact Amsterdam is a great place to go shopping for both international fashion labels, as well as well-known and up-and-coming Dutch designers. The Museum District (around the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum) is home to the majority of Amsterdam’s luxury boutiques and designer stores. Put on your sunglasses and stroll nonchalantly down the P.C. Hooftstraat - Amsterdam’s most upscale and exclusive shopping street. Along three short blocks you’ll find the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Renowned Dutch couturiers Frans Molenaar, Mart Visser, Victor & Rolf, Percy Irausquin, Sheila de Vries and Marlies Dekkers are also completely at home in “the P.C.” and in the upmarket Cornelis Schuytstraat.

Fashionable Museums

Of course, you don’t have to shop to enjoy fashion. A must-do museum at the top of any fashionista’s list is the Hendrikje Museum of Bags and Purses. Considered to be one of the top eight fashion museums in the world, it has the most comprehensive and specialized collection of bags (over 4000, darling!) from the late Middle Ages up to the present day. Once you’ve had your fill, head to the Hermitage for gorgeous antique ballgowns, uniforms and jewel-encrusted accessories. Somewhere else to be seen, is in the National Museum of Spectacles, which takes you through 700 years of art, culture and history related to glasses.

So put on your (trendiest) shoes, and head out to discover Amsterdam as a fashion centre.