Sea-colored stripes, raincoats, fishing gear-what seem like everyday basics-all turn out to be nautical heirlooms. In Oceanista - Fashion & Sea see how those maritime icons flow through into fashion by icons such as Chanel, Versace, Gaultier, Margiela, Thom Browne, Balmain and Off-White. But contemporary Dutch designers with an eye for circularity, such as Iris van Herpen, Botter, Camiel Fortgens, Duran Lantink, Niño Divino and Yousra Razine Mahrah, also share the stage.
The exhibition starts with classic items - the yellow raincoat, Breton stripe, rugged sweater - but dives right into current questions about sustainability, identity and heritage. How to combine our desire for self-expression with concern for the planet? Oceanista challenges you to think about it in terms of form, material AND symbolism .
A special chapter is the Oceanista Atelier, created in collaboration with ROC Amsterdam students. Here, young makers design timeless, repairable clothing with a minimal ecological footprint. Visitors can sketch their own designs, attend workshops ánd literally experience slow fashion.
For the Dutch edition, the museum enriched the traveling concept of Denmark's M/S Maritime Museum with its own collection pieces and a brand new capsule by fashion brand Martan. Martan dove deep into the museum archives - with prints based on maritime sketches from the 17th century, such as a towel whirling on Kaagwater, and incorporated historical motifs into modern designs.
"Here I am not jumped by fashion flashes, but touched by nuance - history, craft, future in one look."
The atmosphere that touches you
You walk past layers of fabric, fabric AND imagination; each silhouette feels like a glimpse of a story at sea. The space smells of salty breath, promises adventure and at the same time shows the tranquility of an austere waterfront catwalk. When you stretch out your hands, the fabric and a thought seem, "As if the sea is whispering, in textiles."