Fashion enthusiasts, art lovers, and industry insiders were treated to an extraordinary experience at Copenhagen Fashion Week as Tess van Zalinge presented her newest collection in a mesmerising tableau vivant at Galleri Christoffer Egelund Copenhagen. Yesterday, from 16:30 to 18:30, the event took place, immersing the audience in a unique fashion presentation that transcended the conventional runway.
“To be the first Dutch designer to be programmed at Copenhagen Fashion Week is an honour and a dream coming true! This was only my first introduction to Denmark, and I am very much looking forward to the next international steps,” says Tess van Zalinge.
Copenhagen Fashion Week
In line with the label’s commitment to sustainability, Tess van Zalinge travelled from Amsterdam to Copenhagen for this remarkable event with zero emissions. Thanks to the partnership with Hyundai, the voyage was undertaken in electric cars, aligning the values of Tess with innovative and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
Stepping beyond the boundaries of a conventional fashion show, the presentation came to life through a unique tableau vivant. The collection was showcased by six extraordinary models hailing from the creative industry, all of whom serve as both muses and collaborators for Tess van Zalinge. With a harmonious violin trio as the backdrop, this immersive experience delved into the collection’s profound concept and inspiration.
International supermodel Tülin Sahin, art historian Cathelijne Blok, model and climate activist Kiki Boreel, stylist and artist Lissa Brandon, content creator Elba van den Heuvel, and agent Tanja Minnée, each embodying a distinctive persona, proudly presented the initial looks of the new collection. Their captivating presence formed the heart of the tableau vivant, offering an opportunity for insightful discussions about the collection’s narrative with them, the creative team, and Tess herself.
What made this presentation distinctive was that the entire collection was developed from waste materials from the big couture houses, exemplifying Tess van Zalinge’s commitment to environmentally conscious practises. Each piece represented a masterpiece of upcycling and eco-friendly design, showcasing the immense potential of transforming discarded materials from the big fashion houses into stunning fashion creations.
“We believe that fashion can be a powerful force for positive change,” said Tess van Zalinge. “By creating this collection from waste materials, we aim to inspire the industry and consumers alike to embrace sustainable practises and rethink the possibilities of fashion.”
Adding an extra touch of sustainability to the presentation, the models were adorned with stylish shoes from YUME YUME – a brand founded by Eva Korsten and Dave Hendriks in 2020 that’s committed to bringing a future-thinking, size-inclusive collection of wardrobe staples designed to add personality to every wardrobe. Their ethos encourages the community to express themselves freely, embracing their distinctiveness and breaking free from limitations.
“We are proud to collaborate with YUME YUME for this presentation. Their unique identity and dedication to size-inclusive fashion align perfectly with the values of our collection,” says Tess van Zalinge.
“It fascinates me how I spent a lot of Dutch summers as a child trying to find a four-leaf clover and always ended up with the three-leaf one. The concept of admiring what you have, working with what you find, and seeing it as a silver lining was the first step in creating this collection and is applied in many layers of crafts within the designs.” Tess added.
Amsterdam Fashion Week
As part of the continued journey, Tess van Zalinge is thrilled to announce she will open this year’s Amsterdam Fashion Week, where she will showcase the complete ‘klavertje drie’ collection. The highly anticipated event will take place in Rotterdam on the roof of Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. Attendees can look forward to an exceptional runway show, where Tess van Zalinge’s visionary designs, crafted from waste materials, will take centre stage, epitomising the beauty of craftsmanship, sustainability, and the power of storytelling.
With special thanks to our partners
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued partners, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in bringing this presentation to life. With deep appreciation, we acknowledge the collaboration and contributions of Copenhagen Fashion Week, Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Hyundai, YUME YUME, Kerasilk, MAC Cosmetics, SteamOne, Kugi, and The Embassy of the Netherlands in Denmark. It is through their dedication and shared vision that this extraordinary event has been made possible, further amplifying the fusion of fashion, creativity, and sustainable innovation.
