Royal Fashion Design '21
Foto: Fred Ernst
From 29 May to 29 August 2021, the Grote Kerk Breda presented Royal Fashion Design, an exhibition that focused on recent and new designs by Dutch fashion designer Mattijs van Bergen.
Royal Fashion Design exhibits his renowned ‘royal’ designs – many of which have been worn by Queen Máxima on official occasions – and a series of new creations specially commissioned by the Grote Kerk Breda. The result is a couture collection about the power of women.
‘Beauty and quality are the product of time and concentration.’ Mattijs van Bergen
Foto: Fred Ernst
the exhibition
For the Royal Fashion Design exhibition, Mattijs van Bergen's designs were presented in the alcoves, on both side aisles of the Grote Kerk Breda. In the exhibition, the sources of inspiration and design process were discussed per design. For this collection, Mattijs collaborated with various artisans.
Foto: Fred Ernst
Creative Luxury for Headstrong Women
The new collection pieces are inspired by the strong women of Nassau and the history of the Grote Kerk Breda. For example, Johanna van Polanen and the armour of Engelbert II were sources of inspiration for Mattijs. The creations form an ode to women, highlighting them as muse, goddess, heroine, queen, protector and giver of life. Creative Luxury for Headstrong Women – the central vision of Van Bergen's work – dovetails perfectly with Breda and with the Grote Kerk Breda. After all, everyone in Breda is familiar with the motto engraved on the church's great Nassau bell in 1667: 'Die tot Breda in vreucht wil leven, die moet de vrouwen de overhant geven' (Whoever wants to live happily to Breda must give women the upper hand).
Royal Netherlands
The connection between the Grote Kerk Breda and Dutch royalty goes back centuries. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the ancestors of today's royal family, the Nassaus, had the Grote Kerk Breda built in a lavish, Brabant Gothic style. Besides being a symbol of grandeur and glory, this important national monument is also the resting place of nine members of the Nassau family and the first Prince of Orange, who are buried in the imposing Prince's Chapel in the Grote Kerk Breda. For the construction and decoration of the Grote Kerk Breda, the Nassaus regularly commissioned important craftsmen and artists.
Now, in the 21st century, the Grote Kerk Breda once again offers a platform to talented young designers and artists. With Royal Fashion Design, Mattijs van Bergen kicks off the project that fits within this vision, where heritage and contemporary makers come together.
About Mattijs van Bergen
Mattijs van Bergen (1980) was born in Beuningen, the son of a goldsmith and a painter. After obtaining his ArtEZ bachelor's degree, he continued his studies at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College in London. His pleats, handmade and embroidered applications, layering of fabrics and surprising colour and material combinations characterise his signature style. His first collections made an immediate impression in the fashion world, winning the prestigious Dutch Fashion Award in 2012. After graduating, he launched his own label and conquered the international fashion world. In 2015, he broke away from the oppressive pace of the conventional fashion system and sought full dedication to designing seasonally independent collections with durable, timeless designs for individuals. He also designed costumes for national and international theatre and opera companies and created statement pieces such as The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress, which calls attention to countries where homosexuality is still forbidden. He was also responsible for corporate clothing for organisations such as Monuta and De Efteling. In late 2019, Mattijs van Bergen donated several of his creations to the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
The presentation Royal Fashion Design – Mattijs van Bergen was compiled by Marieke Wiegel, curator and director of the Grote Kerk Breda Foundation in close cooperation with Mattijs. At the invitation of the Grote Kerk Breda, renowned Dutch fashion photographers Petrovsky & Ramone photographed Mattijs van Bergen's new designs in their idiosyncratic style. In addition, the Pastrami Film Company made a short documentary about Mattijs van Bergen's creative process to accompany the exhibition. The exhibition takes place as part of the Nassau Year and is aligned with the Royal Netherlands storyline of NBTC Holland Marketing. In addition to Breda, royal cities such as Apeldoorn, Delft, The Hague and Leeuwarden are organising activities in line with this theme.