20 years of Lichting: Dutch fashion talent in focus

Lichting celebrates twenty years of emerging Dutch fashion talent with a retrospective photo exhibition at De Hallen Amsterdam. The exhibition opens during Amsterdam Fashion Week and brings together two decades of Dutch fashion through the lens of renowned runway photographer Peter Stigter, who has captured Lichting since its very first edition.

About Lichting

Lichting was founded in 2007 to bridge the gap between Dutch fashion academies and the professional fashion industry. Each year, the platform brings together a selection of the most promising graduates from Dutch fashion schools in one central runway show. Here, they present their work to leading professionals from the fashion world, including designers, buyers, journalists, stylists, and other creative decision-makers.

Lichting is a joint initiative of Amsterdam Fashion Week and HTNK International and is one of the leading fashion initiatives in the Netherlands in terms of both quality and representation.

Over the past twenty editions, 258 designers have participated in Lichting. For many, the platform served as an important first step toward an international network and a professional career. As a result, Lichting has become a staple of Amsterdam Fashion Week and a vital stage for new Dutch design talent.

A springboard for fashion talent

The impact of Lichting extends beyond just the annual winners. The visibility generated by the show and the opportunity to present work directly to fashion press and industry professionals have contributed to the careers of many participating designers.

Alumni include Duran Lantink, a 2013 finalist and now Creative Director of Jean Paul Gaultier alongside his own internationally renowned label; Danial Aitouganov, winner in 2016 and co-founder of the Paris-based label Zomer, after previously working at Chloé, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton; and Tess van Zalinge, a 2012 finalist known for her work in sustainable and circular fashion.

A new generation of Dutch designers is also emerging, including Denzel Veerkamp, Rachel Klok, and Ruben Jurriën.

A unique visual archive

Peter Stigter has been photographing Lichting since its very first edition, building an exceptional visual archive of twenty years of up-and-coming fashion talent.

“There is no other visual archive like this. The fact that we have been able to capture every student, every catwalk show, and all the behind-the-scenes moments for twenty years creates a remarkable timeline of where Dutch fashion comes from and where it is heading.”

— Peter Stigter

For the exhibition, the Lichting team has curated a retrospective selection from this extensive archive. Large-scale catwalk images will be displayed throughout the central Passage of De Hallen. In addition, a presentation of behind-the-scenes images offers a more intimate look at the energy, emotions, and spontaneous moments surrounding the shows.

Practical information

Exhibition: 20 Years of Lichting – Captured by Peter Stigter

Location: De Passage, De Hallen Amsterdam

Opening: During Amsterdam Fashion Week

Dates: September 1st to October 9th

Admission: Free and open to the public