tastemaker – vlieger & vandam
Dutch design duo Carolien Vlieger and Hein van Dam formed their eponymous company in 2000 and are now based in Rotterdam. They started designing their statement handbags three years ago, inspired by topical urban themes. Their Guardian Angel weapon-emblazoned handbag now features in the collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
interview by Bethan Ryder9 questions for… Vlieger & Vandam
What do you love about living in Rotterdam?
Rotterdam is a city full of young, fresh energy. There’s a great creative vibe which attracts lots of artists and designers. It’s also a city awash with opportunities because rents are low.
What three things should a visitor to the city do?
Take the water taxi to the south bank of the River Maas, and enjoy the view over the water and the city. Visit one of the museums: the Kunsthal, Boijmans van Beuningen or the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI). Then, if you have time left, rent a bicycle and cruise the city, taking in the harbours, the modern architecture in the centre and the parks.
Where do you hang out?
If we want to meet friends and drink a beer we go to Rotown (Nieuwe Binnenweg 17-19), a place with good music, which is always crowded. For dinner we like Lux (’s Gravendijkwal 133) for great Italian food or Bazar (Witte de Withstraat 16), a Middle Eastern place.
Why did you start designing bags and accessories?
We moved to Rotterdam in 2002. It was a couple of months before the Dutch parliamentary elections and safety on the streets was a hot topic. The papers were full of crime stories, making people scared to go out! We thought things were exaggerated. It inspired our Guardian Angel bags, which make a statement about growing rates of crime.
Where do you find inspiration?
We get inspired by the six o’clock news and by exploring urban landscapes. We love to design beautiful details and to work with quality materials, but most important is the narrative in every design. Those stories are taken from our everyday life.
How would you describe your work in three words?
Accessories with content.
Which of your contemporaries do you admire?
Marlies Dekkers: she designs gorgeous underwear and has opened several boutiques worldwide. If you can, visit her shop on Witte de Withstraat in Rotterdam.
Which product or building do you wish you’d designed?
L’Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, by Jean Nouvel.
What’s your philosophy for life?
We like to quote racing driver Mario Andretti: “If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough.” We don’t always live by this sentiment, but it sure sounds good!
Vlieger & Vandam
Vlieger & Vandam are based in Rotterdam, just over an hour’s train ride from Amsterdam. Buy their designs at Animaux, Westelijk Handelsterrein, Vanvollenhovenstraat 15, Rotterdam, and in Sterling destinations Athens, Berlin, Paris and Oslo, among other cities. For full stockists’ details see www.vliegervandam.com
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