Growing some long, limber, fashion legs, Amsterdam, best known for its tulips, Van Gogh museum and cannabis coffee shops, is sneaking in alongside Paris and London as a European fashion capital. But mainstream it is not. Dismissing the stuffy, cut-throat aspects of the more established industry events, The Amsterdam International Fashion Week, now in its seventh season, focuses instead on fresh, young design aesthetics in an event that combines "creativity with commerce."
Though the week, which takes place July 21 – 30, is mostly for the trade, with shows open to industry pros only, any and all fashionistas in town are invited to attend Laundry Days, a collection of exhibits, screenings, seminars and parties that occur at nearly 100 galleries and indie boutiques that line the cities hippest streets. Tdctrade.com quotes event organizer James Veenhoff, calling it “an alternative venue for serious branding, where leading Dutch designers like Emily Hermans, Ilja Visser, and Daryl Van Wouw will all show collections.
Arrive at Laundry Days events in true top model fashion via the Hotel Pulitzer’s 1909 saloon cruiser available for private charter. Between catwalk viewings and launch parties, sneak a peek at the hotel’s art gallery before settling into your room in one of 25 restored 17th and 18th century canal houses. And if you can’t leave home without your ultimate accessory, please note that the hotel allows pets.
