- Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam
- SUMMARY
History
The Willem de Kooning Academy started in 1773 as a drawing fellowship and developed over the course of time into an academy in the fields of Media, Art, Design and education; it is part of the Hogeschool Rotterdam. The painter Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) once remarked, ‘I have to change to stay the same’ and that is the motivation behind the educational programme.
Vision
We train the ‘designers behind the labels’. The emphasis lies on developing an individual vision and design signature. The central focus of the study is the development of future perspectives and their visualization in physical garments and/or collections where fashion designers apply their creative and critical vision to reflect on current developments in the profession and/or society as large.
Signature
Our teaching programme is pragmatic and we work with students to achieve a realistic image of their own abilities and the possibilities for applying them within the professional field. Technique and three-dimensional insight are naturally indispensable, but so is a professional approach to the field as well as learning to recognize that fashion is principally about visual communication, and how your own designs communicate. During the four years students spend in the fashion department, the supervisory team gains a good idea of the student’s capabilities and we encourage exchange programmes or work placements abroad.
We work together with students to create the best possible profile, establishing their strengths and weaknesses and providing guidance in this area. The goal is for the student to show his or her best side during the final exams. I would not recommend having your own label right away, for instance; it is far better for students to gain broad experience within the profession and start their own label afterwards.
Piece of Advice
Keep working on your portfolio and in particular your on-line presentations; let people see what you are doing.
Lichting
The Netherlands needs an international podium for young fashion talent; we are good at what we do.
“The Lichting platform shows that diversity is our Dutch strength.”
Gerrit Jan Vos
Course Director Fashion, The Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam
Address
Rotterdam University
Blaak 10
3011 TA Rotterdam
The Netherlands
