Tailors & Wearers
Every year, Dutch Design Awards (DDA) honours the best Dutch designers and their most impressive and groundbreaking projects. Various disciplines, viewpoints and solutions are judged in light of the impact they have on our society. Dutch Design Awards thereby gives a boost to the profession as a whole. The best Dutch design, viewed in perspective and placed on a pedestal.
DDA nomination 2023 | Fashion
Tailors & Wearers – platform for afro-surinamese fashion and heritage
Tailors & Wearers is committed to education, participation and the presentation of Afro-Surinamese costumes and fashion. As a platform they contribute to the preservation, the development and the accessibility of the knowledge and skills that are part of this Afro-Surinamese heritage. The historic context of the origins of this costume and the meaning is takes from its turbulent history are central themes. Through research, activities and educational products, Tailors & Wearers brings people together. They published the book Goma Weri and organised an exhibition about the angisa (a starched and woven headscarf). As such, the Masters Angisa, in collaboration with a group of kotomisi from Rotterdam, share their knowledge with new generations.
Expert jury
Tailors & Wearers embody the importance of Afro-Surinamese costume and fashion. This platform creates an important and relevant podium for heritage, the value of which was previously unrecognised, and passes it on to future generations. In terms of composition, colours and image, they create convincing work within the context of open collaboration. The impact of the platform is especially meaningful. Thanks to the publication, something that had not received its rightful recognition for centuries has now been clearly recorded. This project is Rotterdam through and through. This is where these stories come from and where the heritage is developing further. This is a celebration of fashion and education and something to be proud of.
For more information about the nominees and the DDA Awards Show you can visit dutchdesignawards.nl.
Photography: Michelle Piergoelam, Nina Schollaardt (portrait photo)