Oceanista – Fashion & Sea

Connects

The exhibition opens on 10 October and compellingly connects the maritime past, today's fashion scene and the sustainable future of clothing. What do yellow raincoats, Breton stripes and fisherman's sweaters have in common? They all originated in maritime culture and have been a constant source of inspiration for designers worldwide for decades. The influences of the sea and life on the water can therefore be found in many wardrobes.

Top designers

Oceanista takes you on a journey through maritime-inspired designs by international greats such as Chanel, Maison Margiela, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Thom Browne, Balmain, Off-White/Virgil Abloh and Moncler, as well as Dutch designers who are making a name for themselves with sustainable and distinctive designs. Think Iris van Herpen, Duran Lantink, Botter, Martan, Camiel Fortgens, Darwin Winklaar (Niño Divino) and Yousra Razine Mahrah.

At sea

The exhibition shows how the sea has left its mark on fashion in terms of materials, silhouettes, prints and symbolism, and demonstrates how designers use these influences to explore themes such as sustainability, heritage and identity. Oceanista also provides a platform for a broader social debate: about what sustainable fashion actually is, and how we can reconcile our need for self-expression with a cleaner planet.

For more information and programming, visit the museum website

Photo by Boris Lutters.