Amsterdam Fashion Week officially opened its 2026 edition on Tuesday evening with an intimate opening dinner bringing together leading names from fashion, design and culture. Hosted by Amsterdam Fashion Week in collaboration with Sabine Marcelis and SolidNature, with Highsnobiety as media partner, the evening marked the beginning of five days of fashion, creativity and cultural exchange across the city.
Held at a monumental canal house on Amsterdam’s Kloveniersburgwal, the dinner brought together 130 guests, including participating AFW26 designers and brands, national and international press, partners and tastemakers from across the creative industries. Taking place on the opening night of AFW26, the evening created a moment for the people shaping Amsterdam’s fashion landscape to come together ahead of a week dedicated to new perspectives, established voices and creative collaboration.
At the heart of the evening was a bespoke spatial concept developed by Rotterdam-based artist and designer Sabine Marcelis in collaboration with SolidNature. For the occasion, Marcelis designed a series of bespoke candle holders exclusively for the AFW opening dinner, crafted from natural stone supplied by SolidNature. The sculptural centrepieces formed part of an atmospheric setting built around long, communal tables and softly illuminated sheer curtains, creating an environment where material, light and design became part of the dinner experience.
The collaborative approach extended to the table, with Copain providing the culinary experience and NoVodka the drinks. Together, they added a sensory layer to the evening, complementing the material, light and atmosphere.
The partnership between Marcelis and SolidNature reflects a shared interest in the relationship between material, craftsmanship and experience. Marcelis’ approach to design, combined with SolidNature’s expertise in natural stone, brought a tactile and sculptural dimension to the opening of AFW26, creating a setting in which design became an integral part of the evening.
With Highsnobiety as media partner, the dinner brought together an international creative perspective with Amsterdam’s fashion community, setting the tone for an edition that continues to connect fashion with the wider worlds of art, design, culture and innovation.
Music throughout the evening was provided by Esi, adding a final layer to the atmosphere as guests gathered, dined and marked the official start of AFW26.
The opening dinner set the tone for the five days ahead. From runway shows and presentations to exhibitions, talks, workshops and immersive events, AFW26 takes place across Amsterdam from 1 to 5 September, bringing together a broad programme of established names, emerging talent and creative collaborations.
Images by Ruby Cruden