The origins of Arnhem Fashion Biennale can be traced back to 2002, when a working party was established to examine the possibilities for an interdisciplinary fashion biennale and to formulate ideas for its content. This working party of representatives from the City of Arnhem, ArtEZ Institute of the Arts and external experts devised the components of Arnhem Fashion Biennale and was successful in rallying support from government and the business world. The Arnhem Fashion Biennale Foundation was established in 2003, and its board of governors chaired by Jan Jessurun, former chairman of the Netherlands Council for Culture, appointed a project team of three professionals, including the artistic director and fashion illustrator Piet Paris and producer Lisette Schmetz. This core team was expanded in September 2004, when it was joined by Petra Remmen as commercial director.