Iris van Herpen

PROJECT
Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen is well known internationally for her experimental and futuristic runway collections. Since 2007, she has pioneered a distinctive aesthetic that integrates traditional forms of artisanship with unconventional materials and technological innovation. For her Meta Morphism collection, van Herpen worked with tech corporation Microsoft on a hyperreal presentation combining digital avatars and augmented reality experiences alongside physical garments. Inspired by the Roman poet Ovid’s Metamorphosis and its themes of transformation, the designer posed the questions, ‘Who are we beyond our physical bodies?’ and ‘Where are we going as human beings?’.

ABOUT
Iris van Herpen, widely heralded as one of fashion’s most forward-thinking designers, seamlessly bridges the realms of fashion, nature, art and science. Since its establishment in 2007 and its prestigious membership in the Fédération de la Haute Couture, the Maison of Iris van Herpen combines innovative techniques with traditional couture artisanship, resulting in sensorial designs that capture the intricacy and diversity of the natural world. Each creation exudes avant-garde wonder, employing pioneering methods and luxurious materials that challenge conventional notions of handmade fashion. Iris van Herpen’s commitment to slow fashion and thoughtful collaboration allows her multidisciplinary designs to transcend boundaries, inspiring a reimagining of our relationship with fashion and extending the realm of imagination.

Purchased with funds donated by Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family, 2023