Viktor Horsting (1969) and Rolf Snoeren (1969) are well known for their conceptual haute couture and unorthodox fashion shows. In the past they have presented an entire collection layer by layer on a single model, presented their clothes in a thick mist, hosted a fashion show only online, and sent models down the catwalk with light and sound installations strapped to their shoulders. Their conceptual collections often blur the distinctions between fashion and art.

For the spring/summer 2015 haute couture collection Viktor&Rolf took their inspiration from the raw energy of Vincent van Gogh’s depictions of the countryside. This inspiration is reflected in the exuberant straw hats and flower prints. The straw hats give a surreal nod to rustic country life and eventually fuse with the dresses to form a unified whole. All the fabrics were produced by VLISCO using traditional batik-inspired painting and printing techniques.

During Paris Fashion Week art collector Han Nefkens bought three outfits of Victor&Rolf's spring/summer 2015 haute couture collection. This creations, called 'Van Gogh Girls' are giving on a long-term loan to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The special partnership between Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and Han Nefkens Fashion on the Edge, in association with José Teunissen, has provided a platform for innovative fashion designers for almost a decade. Fashion on the Edge gives Dutch couturiers the chance to show their creations to a large audience in the museum.

The three creations from Viktor&Rolf’s spring/summer 2015 haute couture collection ‘Van Gogh Girls’ will be shown at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen from 5 December to 
14 February 2016.

Interviews: Margita van Vugt
Camera interviews: Bob van Eisden - Team Keytown Productions
Footage catwalk: Team Peter Stigter (camera: Kolja von der Lippe and Mister Kim)
Footage backstage: Team Peter Stigter (camera: Niels van der Top)
Editing: Geert van de Wetering
Visuals: Paul Hensen
Production: Rinske Hordijk (ARTtube)
Music from: Viktor & Rolf's Haute Couture Spring Summer 2015 fashion show, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, January 28, 2015, "Lullaby variation 6" van Krzysztof Komeda in a new arrangement by Diederik Idenburg (m-ost.nl)
Thanks to: Han Nefkens Foundation, Viktor & Rolf and Nina Hartmann