Fashionista vista
Amsterdam’s hottest new fashion designers talk about their favourite things to do and see in the city
Fashionista Vista
WHERE FASHION LUVVIES GO TO EAT, CHAT AND CHILL IN AMSTERDAM
>>Emily Herman
Textile and fashion designer whose work has included an accessory for Sony’s PSP games console and features bright pixel patterns on dark backgrounds.
If you could own one shop…
It would be a guerrilla store, like Blend (www.blend. nl). They only stay in each place for 60 days and sell clothing from young Dutch fashion designers – including me.
If you’ve got three hours in Amsterdam…
Go to the Negen Straatjes, the nine little streets between Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. There are some great second-hand shops, like Zipper and Laura Dolls. But also book, shoe, antique, interior and gift shops.
And for an intimate dinner?
Wolvenstraat 23 (Wolvenstraat 23; +31 (0) 20 422 22 43) has a cool seventies feel to it – complete with shag pile carpets – and serves great Asian food at reasonable prices.
>>Joline Jolink
25-year-old graduate from the Fashion Institute Arnhem (FIA), known as the Central Saint Martins of Holland in reference to London’s fashion hothouse.
Why work in Amsterdam?
I love the city – especially from the back of a bike. There’s the wonderful small houses, the humpback bridges, canals, boats, parks, flea markets, cafés and, of course, the friendly people.
Best neighbourhood cafe?
A little place amid the 17th and 18th century brewery pakhuizen (warehouses) on the Brewers’ Canal called Flores (Brouwersgracht 139, Jordaan; +31 (0) 20 330 46 49). They do the best milky coffee and home-made pies.
Favourite building?
Now that it’s been renovated, the Rijksmuseum, a national museum of the Netherlands (Jan Luijkenstraat 1; +31 (0) 20 6747000, www.rijksmuseum.nl). It radiates such calm serenity, especially at night. Last winter it looked amazing when it was covered in snow and framed by the dark blue evening light.
Where to… for an intimate chat?
The SSK restaurant between Utrechtsestraat and Reguliersgracht (Falckstraat 3; +31 (0) 330 11 28) combines a minimalist style with an intimate feeling – it only seats 24 people. It’s managed and run by one woman – Henneke van den Bergh – who only buys fresh seasonal products, which she uses to cook great Mediterranean dishes.
>>Hans Ubbink
One of the Netherlands’ most successful and wearable home-grown designers. This summer’s collection features off-white shirts, trousers and suits for men and women.
Ever got lost in Amsterdam?
Yes! But then it’s the kind of city you want to get lost in.
If you’ve got three hours in Amsterdam…
Take a canal tour and relax in the city’s biggest park, the Vondelpark. If you’re in luck one of the open-air concerts might be going on when you’re there (www..openluchttheater.nl).
People should know…
Amsterdam’s not about drugs, it’s about alternative art – from the shows sometimes at the Westgasterfabriek area (www.westergasfabriek.nl) to the W139 (www.w139.nl), a huge art gallery and café that used to be a squat. Amsterdam city has it all.
Where to… for an intimate dinner?
I just stroll around de Jordaan, students’ and artists’ favourite neighbourhood, or de Pijp, another hip, bohemian area, and find a restaurant at random.
How to escape summer in the city?
The beach at Blijburg is often very relaxed (30-minutes’ cycle from the centre of town or a 10-minute ride on tram 26 from outside Central Station).
>>Ilja Visser
This summer her first collection, called “Valise”, aims to have everything the globe-trotting It girl would take in her suitcase.
Ever got lost in here?
I still get lost after four years living here! But never in the centre – I can bike there with my eyes closed. I’d advise everyone to rent a bike; it’s much easier to get around.
Where to… for an intimate dinner?
The darkness in Vuong (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 51, Leidseplein; +31 (0) 20 530 55 77) is perfect for a quiet chat over lunch or dinner. The tables, chairs, floor, bar, walls and doors are all black. The only light comes from an open kitchen in the back, just eastern-style orange hanging lamps and table-top candles.
If you’ve got three hours in Amsterdam…
Do real Amsterdam things. Visit the Red Light district, because then you can see what’s tolerated here. But please don’t stay there for the full three hours because Amsterdam does have more.
Best neighbourhood cafe?
Jordaan market: Finch (Noordermarkt 5; +31 (0) 626 24 61) and Proust (Proust, Noordermarkt 4; +31 (0) 206 23 91 45) on the west side. There’s a mixed clientele, no dress code and good food, like tostis (Dutch grilled cheese sandwiches).
Your favourite building?
An old house on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal Street. It’s been rebuilt in the old style, with a huge bronze-coloured door.
People should know…
That traffic wardens don’t mean to chase away all the tourists. Pay times for car parking are poorly indicated on the streets, so lots of tourists don’t understand… and then end the day with a wheel-lock.
>>Corné Gabriels
Also an FIA graduate, Gabriels makes accessories inspired by clothes like scarves out of neckties and brooches out of jacket pockets.
Ever got lost in Amsterdam?
I never get lost in the city because my orientation is absolutely perfect. But if you do get lost here, there are a few landmarks you can always see because of the low building policy. The most useful is the Westertoren which is a church with a steeple that’s over 85m high. You can see it from Central Station and almost everywhere else.
What is your favourite shop?
I love Pompadour (Huidenstraat 12; +31
(0) 206 23 95 54), on one of the Negen Straatjes. It’s a tiny chic chocolatier and bakery. They sell the best petit fours, bon bons and cakes.
Where to… for an intimate chat?
Go to Café De Tuin in Jordaan (2e Tuindwarsstraat 13; +31 (0) 206 24 45 59). It’s a basic “brown bar” – a typical Dutch old-style drinking environment that locals call gezellig, which means ‘cosy’ or ‘home-like.’ I especially like it in the morning when it’s quiet and people just sit and stare and read their newspapers over coffee.
Where to… for a dream date?
Go to the Dylan Hotel (Keizersgracht 384; +31
(0) 20 530 2010; www.dylan.amsterdam.com) and relax over tea in their beautiful lounge.
Where to… for an intimate dinner?
La Festa (Hazenstraat 64; +31 (0) 20 428 44 36), is a great little pizzeria tucked away in the Jordaan area.
>>Daryl van Wouw
Has worked for Donna Karan, Swatch and Converse. His couture sports range is tipped to be the next big thing in Dutch fashion.
Ever got lost in Amsterdam?
Many times. It doesn’t have a simple transport system like some other cities have, like New York. My advice: take cabs.
If you could own one place…
Spang Makandra (Gerard Doustraat 39, De Pijp; +31 (0) 206 70 50 81), a tiny restaurant that serves great Surinamese food including fabulous saté – marinated and barbecued meat on a skewer.
How to escape summer in the city?
Drink schaafijs – crunched ice topped with lemonade and alcohol.
Where to… for an intimate chat?
The Bimhuis – the concert hall (Piet Heinkade 3; +31 (0) 20 788 2150) is one of the most impressive modern buildings in Amsterdam. It’s close to Central Station, on the waterfront of the River Ij. There’s an awesome view from the café.
If you’ve got three hours in Amsterdam…
Go bar-hopping in the Jordaan area and shopping in the Negen Straatjes.
Favourite neighbourhood cafe?
Vuong. It’s an upscale trendy spot, but we often just order patatjes (fries).
Where to for a dream date?
Rent a small boat, and take dinner and drinks on a night cruise round the canals.
