Dresses-paintings, enclosed in a foldable frame, which designers, traditionally participating in the show, remove from the models after passage to hang on the wall.
The new haute couture collection of the Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf with a title speaking for itself “Wearable Art” finally brought the creativity of the designers beyond fashion. A famous art collector Han Nefkens for the second time bought the entire collection “straight from the podium,” without leaving the hall of the “Tokyo Museum”, where it was shown. Now on dresses-canvases will hang in the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum next to paintings of Pieter Brueghel and Hieronymus Bosch.
In terms of accessibility of haute couture for the general public Hans made a noble gesture: who of mere mortals would see an extravagant paraphrase of the “Threatened Swan” of Jan Asseleyna come to life through the efforts of Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren if it passed to an Arab princess not indifferent to creations of this Dutch painter of XVII century..?
In February Viktor& Rolf announced the closure of their prêt-à-porter line, explaining their decision by desire to focus all efforts on the creation of haute couture. So let’s hope they will not run out of inspiration so as Han Nefkens of his funds!

Photo credits: Viktor & Rolf / TEAM PETER STIGTER