We are more than proud to present the 10 finalists of Lichting 2022. Before their debut to the public on the 2nd of September, AFW sat down with each participant to talk about their collection and their plans for the upcoming Lichting show. This week we would like to introduce you to Maastricht Institutes of the Arts graduate Bryan Borghans!
How did the concept behind your graduation collection come to being?
The moment I walked into Tomorrowland’s ‘Dreamville’ in 2015, my world changed. I was overwhelmed by the other 180,000 ‘chosen ones’, young and old travellers from 75 countries worldwide that joined me at Tomorrowland for that one weekend. The chosen ones come there to make memories, to immerse themselves in what only the deepest of dreams can dream of. The acceptance among them is self-evident. You are one with each other, you are the chosen group.
Within my graduation project EXTASE22, I researched an overwhelming feeling of great happiness. I started with researching the revolution of house music, supplemented by interviews with Joost van Bellen, Rutger Geerling and Michelle Cornelissen based on their experiences and complemented by my own experiences and memories.
How would you describe your signature as a designer? How does this reflect in your collection?
I would describe myself as a conscious designer who is aware of what is going on in the world, spreading a specific message without pointing or over-killing it. Within the collection, I reflected on some of the current events such as the pandemic, and re-used for example existing materials from tents and flags.
On July 29th, you were introduced to the Lichting jury for the first time. How did you experience this moment? What feedback do you take with you to your presentation during AFW?
I was really looking forward to this day and I really enjoyed pitching my concept to the jury. Due to my enthusiasm, I strengthened the story I was telling to the jury. Them being a little overwhelmed and out of words was the best compliment I could get.
Which piece from the collection are you most proud of? Why?
This is a hard question to answer because I loved working on every single piece. If I had to choose one piece however, then it would probably be the ‘Tentdress’. For this dress I used my own ‘’Tomorrowland easy tent’’, in which I slept in 2017 on the festival camping site. The details in the design of the tent are incredible and do explain quite literally how the rest of the festival comes together. The nylon Tomorrowland tent draped dress has a low back and a long train with tent pegs detail, and is lined with a silk lining.
What would be the ideal way to present your collection to the public in September? Can you already say something about what you currently have in mind?
I think for this collection it would be really nice to see the pieces in motion, in this way the pieces can express themselves the strongest. So be ready to immerse yourself in my ultimate escape, my overwhelming feeling of great happiness: The feeling of EXTASE22
