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The Iris van Herpen x Aubade Paris collaboration: Interviews

1) A capsule collection created by Iris Van Herpen and Aubade can only be an unexpected and exciting fusion. Can you tell us a little about how this venture came about?

Aubade asked us to work together on a collection that closely expresses IVH's delicate Couture styling. First, we explored various techniques for working with lace, using layered embroidery and graduated shades of embroidered colours. Once we had developed the embroidery techniques, we moved onto the design and sampling processes.

2) The collection is named "Sensory Illusion", which sounds very intriguing and conceptual – just like your haute couture collection. Can you tell us a little bit more about the idea behind it?

The vision was to convey an innovative complexity that expresses organic femininity, transparency and layering, creating depth and energy through structured lines. It's amazing how organic lines can lead the eye across the skin. This was the idea that inspired us.

3) How did you manage to translate your avant-garde approach to the body into a lingerie collection where the approach is more intimate and bespoke?

For our Haute Couture designs, we often combine transparency with structured lines that appear to float above the skin, accentuating an artistic femininity. We explored this same spirit in this collaboration, aimed at cleverly expressing intimacy.

4) What is your point of view on lingerie in general? Has it changed as a result of your collaboration with Aubade, which was the first time you had worked in the world of lingerie?

I love lingerie as it's so personal; often it's a hidden gem that essentially represents an intimate experience. In a world which becomes more and more transparent every day, lingerie still retains its sense of mystery.

Question and answer session with Samar Vignals, the Aubade Brand and Offering Director:

1) A capsule collection created by Iris Van Herpen and Aubade can only be an unexpected and exciting fusion. Can you tell us a little about how this venture came about?

It certainly was unexpected and exciting. It's absolutely amazing to have been able to work with such a visionary designer who combines the Dutch tradition for avant-garde design with the world of haute couture in an exceptionally creative way, and ask her to create her very first collection of lingerie pieces. Iris Van Herpen's designs are based on 3D printing techniques – I think she was one of the first designers to use them in the field of fashion – and experimental materials. That's why it was absolutely fascinating to see how the dialogue around women and clothing between Aubade and Iris's fashion house would develop. She began by working on the ethereal colour graduations that are so typical of Aubade designs, bringing a modern touch to the organic shapes of the embroidery via geometric, architectural lines. Working with Iris was a kind of artistic thought process around the mysterious, seductive powers of lingerie.

2) Can you tell us a little more about the creative process and interaction between Aubade and Iris Van Herpen?

We gave Iris full access to our archives and encouraged creative dialogue and interaction based on luxurious materials and complex techniques, the fragile yet vital beauty of nature, and how lingerie is designed to be a wonderful secret. Together, we explored different lace and embroidery techniques and tested various combinations to create unique transparent effects and embroidery representing fluttering leaves which are like mystical ornaments on the female body.

3) How did you manage to translate Iris's avant-garde approach to the body into a lingerie collection where the approach is more intimate and bespoke?

Iris has a penchant for transparency and delicate textures and an interest in lace-style structures as demonstrated by her collections, a close relationship with the body (before studying fashion, dance was her main passion), and an experimental nature. All this gave us common ground to use as a springboard for this collaboration. That's why it was only natural for Iris to create a kind of haute couture collection for the skin, and our workshops and expertise meant we could translate her avant-garde approach to design into lingerie, using lace, embroidery and transparency as means of expression.