Fashion is everywhere: Arnhem Mode Biennale 2005

Fashion is all around us and has a strong impact on our behaviour. Arnhem Mode Biennale 2005 focussed on the factors that influence what we choose to wear. Not only the elements have an impact on the way we dress, the desire to see and be seen are determining in our choice of clothes. The feel of the material against the skin is just as important as the appearance of a garment. The main exhibition of 2005 visualised these influencers in a literal manner, reviewed here.

During the opening of the first Arnhem Mode Biennale on 10 June 2005, the singer Antony Hegarty, of the New York cult band Antony and the Johnsons, gave a unique live performance. Seated at the grand piano in specially designed clothes, he performed ten songs. “Ah, the sweet smell of fashion”, mused the singer in the transition from one number to the next, subtly capturing the essence of Arnhem Mode Biennale. After all, fashion is a sensual experience, inextricably linked with emotions. Feelings play a big role in the creation, presentation and experience of fashion. Fashion is present everywhere and influences our everyday lives. Fashion designers are fully aware of this and incorporate this information in their designs. Fashion is integral to our culture and finds myriad manifestations.

The former Coberco dairy factory at the edge of Arnhem’s city center served as backdrop for the main exhibition of Arnhem Mode Biennale, which placed these manifestations in different seasons and confronted visitors with different weather conditions.

With its atmospheric and sensually stimulating arrangement of new work from the highest spheres of Dutch fashion design, the exhibition gave visitors a new perspective by illustrating that fashion is about more than just clothes.