Caroline's Monthly Message: THINK BACK, LOOK FORWARD

Never have I been more excited about an edition as I am for the upcoming edition in January. With the desire also came the memories. The start of Modefabriek in the summer of 1996 was memorable and the first and last time we had an official opening. My love, artist Jeroen Henneman, had a fabric dog jump through the eye of a huge pair of scissors with a cheerful act. The day before there had been a circus in the Westergasfabriek, which was our very first location, and we were especially busy removing the urine odours of wild animals with a lot of soap and mops.

The first edition counted only 21 Dutch brands, all like-minded people. We started Modefabriek because there was simply no place for us young designers, we wanted to create a platform in a simple but distinct form with our own stand construction, where creativity and clarity were the starting point. Sometimes you have the right plan at the right time. This need grew stronger for many more brands, agents and buyers. The fair was a fact and expanded into what it is today.

We have worked with beautiful brands, seen designers emerge, received ministers, given cheerful parties, The Borrel became a moment on Sunday evening that many people looked forward to. The Rijksmuseum launched their accessory website at Modefabriek. We made exhibitions with countless designers from the Design Academy Eindhoven, fashion shows with films by Bart Hes. Posters drawn by Job Wouters. Modefabriek's first Superstore in 2006 was one of the first concept stores where fashion / design / accessories / art was shown in one store.  

We hung trees upside down above the luxury women's segment, launched Salon Heleen Hülsmann with its preloved luxury fashion. Created a sustainable platform in collaboration with Marieke Eyskoot called MINT in 2012, with the highlight of Minister Lilianne Ploumen’s visit, who shared all the ideas about more sustainability in fashion with us. We built a denim segment under the name Blueprint, from which Amsterdam Denim Days later emerged. The TALKS and WORKSHOP program with speakers such as David Shah, Christine Boland and Jan Agelink was launched. We gave young, recently graduated designers a space to show their work so that they could encounter the fashion industry. 

This and much more was only possible because the brands were there, retailers visited us, they were and still are the core of our fair. In those 25 years, we also have seen young brands grow into international brands. 

That is why I am all the happier that so many beautiful brands will show their collections at Modefabriek in January 2022, the offer is promising! After a year and a half, we can build again, we will launch The Sustainable Stop with a big focus on sustainability, we will receive brands that have always remained loyal to us, and we will introduce new brands. All with the aim of really experiencing fashion again, inspiring each other and meeting each other, that's what I'm looking forward to. 

I wish you all a great start for the new year and above all I wish you a wonderful fashion season!

Caroline Krouwels, Dec 2021