‘Patchwork 2020’ by fashion designer Tess van Zalinge was born out of a need for craft in uncertain times and a fascination for Dutch heritage. The designer's signature is clearly visible in the combination of different crafts such as knitting, folding and quilting, using materials from her own archive.
The designs in ‘Patchwork 2020’ are an ode to the uniform and show in a liberating way that working with what is available leads to inspiration, innovation and sustainability. In terms of craftsmanship, patchwork (sewing together different pieces of cloth) plays the largest role in the collection. Van Zalinge sees this technique as distinctive, conscious and individualistic, but it also stands for celebration, liberation and the designs created from remnants in her studio. Through her patchwork, she constructs a brand-new landscape between digital and traditional fashion techniques.
‘Patchwork 2020’ encourages the use of new approaches in the fashion industry and new ways to influence the impact of the garments produced. One of the designs that was reinterpreted for this collection was Van Zalinge’s 'Girl with a pearl earring' dress. The jacquard from the original design from 2017 was redeveloped with the TextielLab using a more sustainable approach.
