Dutch Designer Iris van Herpen combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques such as rapid prototyping and choosing radical materials like synthetic boat rigging and the whalebone of children's umbrellas. Everything comes together with sculptural effects for visual impact that is both organic and futuristic, whilst taking up the challenge to create a new silhouette.

Some people like to poke fun at the designers where clearly their clothes aren't wearable, and that is why reflecting on van Herpen's work is interesting enough that Sue an van der Zijpp and Mark Wilson curated the first large-scale solo exhibition of the work of Iris van Herpen, starting from 2008 to present. The exhibition will run until the 23 September at the Groninger Museum.  In January, I had the opportunity to see her ss2012 Haute Couture collection in Paris, entitled Micro. She drew upon inspiration from microscopic organisms and the works of micro-diversity photography Steve Gschmeissner. A selection from Micro and Capriole will be part of the display. 

To accompany the exhibition, the first book on Iris van Herpen has been published, containing an overviews of her collection along with a an essay by fashion Journalist Jean Paul Cauvin. This book is great not just for anyone in design, but as an art book on it's own. You begin to feel that she regards fashion as a form of self-expression in which she translates with everyday objects into a collection. For many people outside the industry, it is interesting to see how people draw upon themes and inspirations for a collection. Her collection Radiation Invasion is about the invisable raditation and signals all around us that make telecommuncation possible. The Synesthesia collection has a neurological phenomenon as it's stating point and then mingles with sensory perceptions such as when people 'see' music or can 'taste' color. The good thing about a book, is its something you can always return to when an exhibition is finish. 

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