Can fashion tell you who someone is?

For REBIRTH, I worked with seven men from my immediate circle. People I know personally, each with their own character, background and way of moving through the world. In this project I explored how the stories and personal qualities of an individual can be translated into fashion.

The designs are not literal translations but interpretations: attempts to give form to something as intangible as character, history, moments and posture through silhouette, material, colour and detail.

During the process a tension emerged between directness and abstraction. When a design became too direct, it shifted towards a stereotype or costume and lost its layering. When it remained too abstract, the connection with the person disappeared and it became more of a general form than a personal portrait. It is precisely in that in-between space that my work took shape.

Each design was made for one specific person, but contains elements that may also feel recognisable to others. This created an interplay between the personal story and universal human qualities.

REBIRTH shows that clothing can carry stories and bring qualities to light. What became visible was shaped by my view and read again by the viewer.

On June 7, 2026, the REBIRTH fashion event took place at Weerstand in Roermond, which was made possible by a cultural grant from the Municipality of Roermond and Maakplaats Roermond.

Watch the REBIRTH fashion event