Kiboots are colorful, handmade boots created with vintage kilim rugs. What about this material spoke to you? Is it easy to work with?
The hunting and collecting for the most beautiful rugs is very rewarding and brings us to the most beautiful places around the world. The varieties of sun dyed colors, patterns and structures are never ending, and it’s incredible to work with such a diverse product. The kilims we use are vintage, handmade and tell thousands of stories about their makers and tribes.

Working with kilim is a different story and a challenge every time. The rugs we find create our collections, not the other way around. They comes in thousands of different weave structures too, so cutting them can cause problems from time to time. Some of the kilims are extremely damaged which makes it hard to cut identical pieces for the left and right feet.

I love shopping of obviously and in Amsterdam you have lots of different shops and boutiques. The places where you can find cute and exclusive items are in the little streets near the canals in the centre of Amsterdam. It’s so hard to choose only three but if I must narrow it down I would say:

"This is a fun little boutique in the 9 streets (this is a part of Amsterdam with 9 parallel streets full of independent boutiques in the centre of Amsterdam). To me The Darling is definitely one of my favorite shopping spots because of the bags, the jewelry and the cupcakes (edible ones!). They also sell clothing."

"This is a very affordable brand from Denmark; they have chain stores located in different countries in Europe and in the Middle East. In Amsterdam there’s a big NewYorker store located in the ‘Nieuwedijk’ street (main shopping street in the centre of Amsterdam). What I love about the store is that you can find fashion for such affordable prices that are very stylish and look almost like designer stuff if you mix & match it the right way with items from other brands!"

"This is literally designer shoe heaven. Even when the store is closed I find myself drooling at the window with these delicious shoe snacks displayed in front of me. It’s quite expensive because they mainly sell designer shoes but if you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam do it during sale time because they reduce the prices so much that it becomes (sort of) affordable! The store is located in the ‘Leidsestraat’."

"My favorite Dutch designer at the moment is Dennis Diem. At the last edition of Amsterdam fashion week I was sitting front row at his show and I was blown away by his ‘Fool’s Gold’ collection. Gorgeous corsets, chiffon dresses and golden chains everywhere! Even Miss J. Alexander from ANTM attended the show in Amsterdam (he helped out the models with their walks)."

"In Amsterdam people are pretty fashionable in the streets so everyone really has their own style, you see a lot of different trends mixed up. But lately I think that a wave of jungle prints has taken over Amsterdam. You see a lot of python and leopard prints (witch I both happen to love!). I think the mainstream will just add a touch of jungle to their outfit, like an iPhone sleeve or a belt, but the real fashionistas go all the way and wear leopard wedge boots or (fake) leather python leggings. Or gloves with an animal print, fabulous!"

"I’m French so I love to go to Paris three or four times a year. Although I was born and raised in Amsterdam, Paris is really my second home! Usually I travel there with my sister, Alizia. I love to go shopping, eating in little restaurants (people go out a lot in Paris) and just wander the streets and discover new places. Also I get to see my dad who lives there, and my cousins. Paris makes me feel alive! I just love that I can speak French when I’m there (I miss that sometimes in Amsterdam). I’m heading there for Christmas again with my sister, can’t wait!"

"If you were in Amsterdam for 24 hours you should go shopping in the 9 streets like I mentioned before. Have lunch at George in Amsterdam-South (sort of the upper side of Amsterdam). Also you need to take a walk trough the Vondel Park (famous park of Amsterdam) where everyone hangs out. In the summer people chill in the grass, listen music, have a picnic or barbecue and in the winter you can walk trough the snow (cover yourself because it’s very cold) & drink some hot coco, and you will still see a lot of people! The park is really a place where you can spot cool street styles. Everyone is dressed ‘casually-chic’. If you’re in to art you should definitely check out the museum square where three different museums are located, like for instance the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re only interested in fashion there’s even a museum for you! Check out the Bag Museum located at the ‘Herengracht’ where you can see 500 years of bag history in one building. Also, you should have dinner at Pata Negra (Spanish tapas) in the ‘Utrechtsestraat’. The location has a good ambience and really delicious food! In this same street there are lots of little bars and shops you should check out. Have drinks in the afternoon at my favorite spot Bar Italia. If you want to go to a nightclub then you should go to Jimmy Woo (pictured above), just make sure you’re on the guest list they’re kind of selective with whom they let in. Or check out De Kring for a more relaxed vibe, eclectic beats & artistic/fashion people. I you still have an hour then take a canal tour (boat stations are located everywhere near Central station). It’s a beautiful sight to see all the little canal houses and learn a little bit about the history from Amsterdam."

Our paths are about to cross again at the Amsterdam Historical Museum

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In a way it was only natural for United Nude and Iris van Herpen to team up. The former is definitely the most architectural footwear brand around; the latter often injects into her designs striking elements and motifs borrowed from architecture and has recently been working with Dutch firm Benthem Crouwel Architekten, developing a concept that will be unveiled at Amsterdam’s ARCAM in mid-July.

“I was introduced to Iris after I had admired her work,” explains United Nude Creative Director, architect Rem D Koolhaas. “I offered to make shoes for her, as I know that for fashion designers shoes always come as an afterthought and most fashion designers don’t have the resources to get it all done on time.” The results of this collaboration were first seen on the London Fashion Week runway where van Herpen showcased her futuristic Autumn/Winter 2010-11 collection. Entitled “Synesthesia” and inspired by the sensations felt in one part of the body when stimulus is applied to another part, the collection featured designs that altered the inner and outer dimensions of the body’s contours, developing new volumes, shapes and silhouettes, covering and uncovering at the same time the body in architecturally constructed three-dimensional armours that created optical illusions through intricate leather strips highlighted by metallic elements.

The matching shoes that accompanied the collection – black and ivory ankle boots characterised by smooth lines with a golden three-dimensional motif on the upper and on the heel – will soon be available in selected shops. The boots are 100% handmade with high quality Italian kid leather and will be released in a limited edition: there are will be only 240 available worldwide, 168 in black and 72 in ivory. “I think the result of our work together is that of a pure and successful collaboration as Iris’ identity and our expertise and craftsmanship are joined in this marvellous product,” Rem D Koolhaas commented.

This is not the first time United Nude collaborates with a fashion designer: a while back the brand developed a few designs with Antoine Peters, among them also the “Label Shoe”, a perfectly wearable pump integrating a conceptual message about the fashion industry’s excessive use of labels. Van Herpen is at present working on the costumes for a production of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly”, directed by highly esteemed Dutch choreographer Nanine Linning and premiering on 5th September at the Osnabrück Theater. Will this production that mixes opera and dance inspire United Nude a collection of avant-garde dance shoes? Who knows, but you can bet that, if it ever happens, it will be the first architectural dance footwear ever released.

Iris van Herpen’s ankle boots for United Nude will soon be available from exclusive retailers and United Nude concept stores in Amsterdam, New York, Shanghai and Vienna.

(dazeddigital.com)

O.k., I get the concept, and actually find it appealing. While I don’t like making comparisons, this collection brings the late Alexander McQueen to mind.

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Three of the best collections shown during Amsterdam International Fashion Week, from Claes Iversen, Iris van Herpen, and Jan Taminiau.

Thanks Fabulousness for the pics.

Of all those shown at this years Amsterdam fashion week, one collection no one will soon forget was that of , with it’s textured and sculpted pieces and dramatic hair and makeup. Made from materials like leather, iron, brass, chains and ‘hair’, the clothing, though not exactly wearable (where do you wear a black leather minidress with large gold brass wings?), was stunning and unlike anything else.

More art then fashion, models walked down the runway in black, navy, white, gold and steel creating a serious, underground club feel. My favorite look was a butterfly dress with silver chains and patchwork leggings, that although not very functional, provided in beauty what it lacked in coverage.

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