Today marked the 13th edition of the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium, an accolade given to outstanding Dutch fashion talent since 2011, organised by the Cultuurfonds and the Dutch Fashion Foundation. The stipend includes a financial contribution of €50,000, generously provided by an anonymous donor, and a pass-on trophy by Atelier Ted Noten. Out of all Dutch fashion veterans, it was renowned fashion designer Camiel Fortgens who took the prestigious Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium home tonight at a festive ceremony held in De Nieuwe Liefde, Amsterdam.
After an introduction by Cathelijne Broers (Cultuurfonds) and Angélique Westerhof (Dutch Fashion Foundation), it was time for Mohamed Benchellal, the 12th winner of the stipend, to look back at the past 12 months and pass on his award. “Fashion deserves to be celebrated more, so I am honoured to be here. Over the past year, I haven’t stood still; in addition to the fashion landscape, I have explored museums and held a solo exhibition at the National Museum of Qatar.”
The Mode Stipendium trophy was given to Camiel Fortgens, whom received an astounding applause, as well as a cheque for €50,000. Fortgens expressed his surprise and honour at receiving the stipend, stating, “It feels special to gain recognition from our own country as our work is mainly known abroad. I see it as something positive to embrace imperfection and to show the hand of the maker in the garment. Society filters out human imperfection everywhere. Everything is perfectly polished. We are taught to hide behind dreamy facades. Imperfection has almost become taboo, and I want to resist that.” The designer invited the whole team to come on stage, and continued to thank all the interns, buyers, models, agents, customers, and of course Cultuurfonds and Dutch Fashion Foundation.
Cathelijne Broers, Director of the Cultuurfonds, praised Fortgens’ clothing as “artistic, wearable, exploratory, and inclusive,” highlighting his ability to combine artistic expression with accessibility and engagement. Angélique Westerhof, Director of the Dutch Fashion Foundation, noted Fortgens’ significant achievements and his loyal global fan base, emphasising his “no-nonsense approach, democratic business model, and consistent unisex collections with timeless designs.”
Special Store Event and Updated Virtual Gallery
Camiel Fortgens’ work can now be viewed in the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium Virtual Gallery, developed by the Dutch Fashion Foundation and Studio Ultradeluxe. This specially designed and newly updated Digital Hall of Fame for fashion art showcases the designers who have received the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium over the past 13 years, offering a renewed way to experience their work.
Additionally, on Friday October 18, from 5 PM until 9 PM, Camiel Fortgens will host a special event at the Camiel Fortgens store, located at Doctor Jan van Breemenstraat 3 in Amsterdam. The new AW24 collection will be presented and everyone is invited to attend via RSVP at studio@camielfortgens.com.
About the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium
Designers eligible for the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium have been independently operating a distinctive, Dutch-rooted fashion label for some time. They put Dutch fashion on the national and international map with a unique signature and have developed outstanding quality within their collections and business operations. The Mode Stipendium positions itself as both an incentive and a lifetime achievement award. It is the most prestigious recognition a fashion designer can receive within the contemporary Dutch fashion scene. The stipend enables the recipient to take necessary steps for further development and growth of the label.
Previous recipients of the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium include Claes Iversen, Ronald van der Kemp, and MAISON the FAUX. These designers, alongside Camiel Fortgens, represent the pinnacle of Dutch fashion talent, each bringing their unique vision and creativity to the industry.
