The robe is based on Enschede, its textile industrial past and environs.Printed on light and foldable material, the robe can be easily packed and unpacked for moments of culture shock and identity crisis. The traveller can wear the country of origin as a whisper of home.
The patterns are based on ’stiepel tekel’ from local farmhouses, ( seen on back) that sit on top of the roof gables protecting the house from thunder. Such shapes precede christianity, and , among others, can be found horse heads and the tree of life ( seen on the front of the robe). A makrell imprint grace the robe, and is the remnant of a visit to the market selling large, golden , fatty and smoked fish. Added on the sleeves, the outline of a heart, with a makrell, to keep the traveller close to the senses such as smell and taste that often accutely define memories.It may be food, and then customs that disorient the traveller, and as the makrell reminded me of my childhood by the north sea, the smoky scent of the shimmering everyday fish took me back , to myself, in Enschede. Additionaly, the robe has a hood, with a lacey edge taken from local folk costumes. This way- the traveller can be respectful of local holy places where covering up might be neccesary, yet, a bit of the lace edge, keeps home in partial view.
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................