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Michael Van der HamDutch designer
Country:
 Netherlands |
Content:
Biography of Michael van der Ham
Early Life and EducationMichael van der Ham was born in the Netherlands and obtained a Master's degree in women's fashion from Central Saint Martin in London. He excelled in the art of creating women's clothing at the prestigious college, working under the guidance of renowned professor Louise Wilson, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire.
Design Career
Inspired by the iconic Andy Warhol, Michael's graduate collection showcased a plethora of patchwork elements and contemporary forms with references to past eras. Sarah Mower, a veteran British fashion journalist, described Michael van der Ham as a "demonstrator of great dominance over elegant asymmetry." His in-depth research and unique approach to design, combining diverse elements, set him apart in the industry.
In 2009, Michael launched his own women's clothing brand, "Michael van der Ham." He has since received sponsorship from "Fashion East" and "Newgen Men & Fashion East," and has been included in the list of participants for London Fashion Week. The designer works with materials such as metallic brocade, handcrafted prints, woven lace, tweed, and intricate embroidery. He sources his materials on demand from factories in the UK, France, and Italy.
Awards and Collaborations
Michael van der Ham is the recipient of prestigious awards such as the "L'Oreal Award" for his graduate collection and the "Vertice Award" at the "ITS Eight Festival" in Trieste, Italy. He has been nominated for the "British Fashion Awards" in the mass-market segment in 2010 and 2012.
In addition to his own collections, Michael has collaborated with various brands and artists. He designed costumes for Björk's world tour and created video materials for the Icelandic singer in 2011. He also received an offer to design 250 costumes for a stage of the opening ceremony of the Olympics in July 2012, in collaboration with costume designer Suttirat Larlarb and director Danny Boyle.
Michael has collaborated with Austrian company "Swarovski," incorporating crystals in his collection. He has also created "capsule" collections for retailer "Topshop" and cashmere brand "Brora." One of his notable collaborations was with French footwear designer Christian Louboutin, where they created a unique shoe series.
