Iris van Herpen ∞ Hypnosis

On July 1st, 2019, Iris van Herpen presented her latest Couture collection, titled ‘Hypnosis’, at Élysée Montmartre in Paris.

The collection is inspired by the hypnotic manifolds within our ecologies through the work of American artist Anthony Howe. The three-dimensional cyclical harmony of Howe’s kinetic sculptures is the wind beneath the wings of this collection. Howe's spherical ‘Omniverse’ sculpture explores our relationship with nature and intertwines with infinite expansion and contraction, expressing a universal life cycle. The meditative movement of the ‘Omniverse’ serves as a portal for the collection and the models, encircling a state of hypnosis.

The collaboration with Howe evolves ‘in an ecstasy of attentiveness’ through the symbiosis of all the elements of nature that are dependent on each other. As one of the key pieces of the collection, the finale ‘Infinity’ dress comes alive on the breath of a finely balanced mechanism. An engineered skeleton of aluminium, stainless steel and bearings is embroidered with a delicate layering of feathers in cyclical flight; revolving around their own centre. ‘Hypnosis’ reflects the beauty and complexity of our environment, exploring the patterns and structures within its fragile landscape.

‘The 'Hypnosis' collection is a hypnotic visualisation of nature’s tapestry, the symbiotic cycles of our biosphere that interweave the air, land, and oceans. It also reflects the ongoing dissection of the rhythms of life and resonates with the fragility within these interwoven worlds.’ - Iris van Herpen

Runway video by Blitzkickers

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CREDITS

Special thanks to collaborating Artist: Anthony Howe
Special thanks to collaborating Artist: Philip Beesley
Press: Nicolas Delarue | Karla Otto
Styling: Patti Wilson
Casting: Maida Gregori Boina | Maxime Valentini | Caroline Mauger
Shoes: United Nude
PRO TeamHair: Martin Cullen | Streeters

Music direction: Salvador Breed
Including tracks:
David Hykes - Rainbow Voice (Radio France)
Gamalan Voices - Mentawai (Gong Ear)
Repeat Eater - Polymorph (Kaometry Records)
Ruby My Dear - Jit Thin (Analogical Force)
Rival Consoles - Dreamer's Wake (Erased Tapes)

Literature: Filep Motwary | Jerry Stafford
Illustration Artwork: Nastya Kuzmina
Invitation Artwork: Ryan Hawthorne | Kiyan Forootan

Show production:
Jonas Kraft | POPKRAFT, Michelle den Hollander | Good Mood Productions, SixUp Paris | N6
Light Design: Stefan Prokop | JUR
Make-up: Sil Bruinsma & the MAC Choreography: Diek Pothoven
Frontstage Photography: Gio Staiano
Backstage Photography: Molly SJ Lowe
Manicure: Jessica Scholten

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SPECIAL THANKS TO
Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
Sølve Sundsbø
Albert Watson
Davy Hezemans & Daan Berkhoff | Spice PR
Atelier Néerlandais