On Wednesday 7 May, designer Duran Lantink was awarded the 14th Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium during a festive ceremony at the church of Ruigoord in Amsterdam. Since its establishment in 2011 by the Cultuurfonds and Dutch Fashion Foundation, the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium has been the most prestigious recognition of excellence in Dutch fashion. The prize consists of a €50,000 financial contribution, made possible by an anonymous benefactor, along with a pass-on trophy designed by Atelier Ted Noten. Lantink was selected by the stipendium jury in November last year and used the funds to support his Paris Fashion Week presentation, Duranimal, this past March.
True to form, the ceremony was as much a celebration of Lantink’s community as it was of his individual talent. He took the stage to highlight the people who help bring his vision to life, and the evening was curated by long-time collaborator and artist Jan Hoek. Amongst other projects, the duo works on Sistaaz of the Castle, an ongoing project supporting transgender women in South Africa. A film related to the initiative was screened during the evening, with Hoek sharing insights into their shared practice. The night also featured performances by Bruin Jackson and singer Mira Thompson, while filmmaker Emma Westenberg gave a behind-the-scenes look at the music video she directed for Janelle Monáe—who famously wore Lantink’s now-iconic vulva trousers. The event was moderated by artist Aukje Dekker.
“Duran Lantink is a fashion designer and artist of global calibre,” said Cathelijne Broers, Director of the Cultuurfonds. “His experimental, upcycled and socially critical designs dress everyone from Beyoncé to vulnerable trans women in South Africa. That makes him an inspiring role model for the fashion industry and the ideal recipient of the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium. I’m thrilled the award helped propel him toward Paris. Congratulations, Duran!”
Angélique Westerhof, Director of the Dutch Fashion Foundation, added: “Duran Lantink has been internationally hailed as a rebel, a visionary, a nonconformist, a fearless original, always with that vital ingredient: humour. In just five years, he’s evolved into a creative comet who is now breaking through international boundaries. With Paris as his new playground, he’s poised to become the next enfant terrible at a legendary fashion house. The 14th Mode Stipendium ceremony was an intimate, joyous reflection on a striking body of work. As the latest torchbearer of Dutch fashion, Duran honours the legacy of his predecessors.”
Lantink himself expressed deep gratitude: “Receiving the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium is an incredible support for me and my team. That kind of backing is crucial when you’re trying to make an impact at the level of Paris Fashion Week. But beyond that, the ceremony itself meant a lot to me. It was a chance to celebrate with everyone who has helped make this adventure, this dream, a reality. Impact is possible, it really is!”
Virtual Gallery
From the 8th of May onwards, work by Duran Lantink will be on view in the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium Virtual Gallery, a specially designed and newly updated digital Hall of Fame for Dutch fashion talent. The gallery offers a renewed and immersive way to explore the work of the stipendium’s 14 recipients to date.
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 Camiel Fortgens, Claes Iversen, Ronald van der Kemp, and MAISON the FAUX. These designers, alongside Duran Lantink, represent the pinnacle of Dutch fashion talent, each bringing their unique vision and creativity to the industry.
