Honeymooning in Couture: A Love Story with Iris van Herpen
So, there we were—newlyweds, fresh off the wedding high, and instead of lounging on a beach, we found ourselves in a darkened museum hall, surrounded by dresses that looked like they'd been plucked from a sci-fi dream. Welcome to our honeymoon, where my new husband now has a much better understanding of Haute Couture.
Couture That Makes You Think
Iris van Herpen's Sculpting the Senses is not your average fashion exhibit. It's a full-body experience. Imagine stepping into a world where dresses don't just hang on mannequins—they breathe, shimmer, and make you question the very fabric of reality (pun intended). Each piece is a blend of haute couture and high-concept science, exploring themes like synaesthesia, skeletal embodiment, and the mythology of fear. Yes, you read that right—fear.
Because nothing says 'romantic getaway' like contemplating the existential dread of a snake-themed dress. Garments hanging from the ceiling at varying levels allowing you to see the dresses of dreams from every angle!
The exhibition is divided into thematic sections that take you on a journey from the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space. One moment you're admiring a gown that mimics the fluidity of water, and the next, you're staring at a piece that looks like it was designed for a Martian runway.
My favourite part of the exhibition was the sample station, which showed you the thought process behind each of the garments. This was where Iris & her team trial new ideas and techniques before placing them into completed garments.
It was like being inside her mind for only a moment! I am fortunate that my now husband did Textiles for GCSE & A-level and therefore had an understanding of the techniques on display, varying levels of devore, 3D printing, laser cutting, applique and much, much more. I wanted to take the entire display off the wall and place it in my classroom. Needless to say, security levels were high and this didn't happen...
A Honeymoon Like No Other
When we planned our trip to Singapore, I had no idea that Iris was exhibiting. Fellow textiles lovers will understand my excitement - as did my new husband! There are far too many photos to share on this post, so I created a reel for your enjoyment. If you would like the full library, simply email me Rachel@textileskillscentre.com.