Today, the RVDK Fashion Spectacle took over Kalverstraat with an unforgettable display of creativity and sustainability. Unlike traditional runway shows confined to exclusive venues, this event unfolded in the heart of Amsterdam’s bustling shopping street, where everyone was invited to participate and watch. The open-air fashion show turned the city of Amsterdam into a dynamic, interactive stage, breaking down the barriers between high fashion and the public.
Ronald van der Kemp took this year’s AFW as an opportunity to showcase a collection that reimagined and reworked donated clothing from major brands such as Levi’s, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein. This emphasis on up-cycling underscored the importance of clothing reuse in an industry often criticised for waste and overproduction.
As the models walked the open-air runway, onlookers—both fashion enthusiasts and passersby—became part of the spectacle, blurring the lines between the audience and the performance. This democratic approach to fashion was in line with van der Kemp’s vision of making sustainable couture accessible and relevant to all.
By collaborating with brands known for their mass-market appeal, van der Kemp demonstrated that sustainability is not just a niche concern but a vital movement that can resonate across the entire fashion industry. The collection was a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and eccentricities. An army of eclectic misfits paraded down the street in a dazzling colour-blocked ensembles and a myriad of show stopping headpieces, that could only be thought of by a mad genius. A golden motorcyclist spiked helmet was paired with a wool tiger print two-piece, a veiled bride wore a miniature wicker chair attached to her head, and in the corner of my eye I spotted an FBI cap punctured with a silver trophy. If not the headgear, the giant balloon animal bags with leather handles created a sense of much welcomed absurdity.
With unicycles weaving through the crowd and a band leading the spectacle, Ronald van der Kemp’s army filled the overcast Amsterdam sky with a burst of colour and energy. Superheroes took the stage, each a main character in their own fantastical realm. The show closed with models on stilts, towering above the crowd, embodying the larger-than-life spirit of the event. As the band led the final procession, the atmosphere was one of celebration and inclusivity. The RVDK Fashion Spectacle brought the runway to the streets and invited everyone to engage with van der Kemp’s vision of a more responsible, ethical, and creative industry. As the evening drew to a close, the crowd at Kalverstraat was left in awe. Van der Kemp yet again stood behind his mision to make sustainability otherworldly, accessible, and exciting to the crowds.
Images by Marijke Aerden
