Internship at international fashion house Iris van Herpen
Between the second and third year of the fashion programme, Rasmus Georgiadis did a four-month internship at Iris van Herpen.
"I wanted to learn how they construct garments, how they think about silhouette and how they struggle with something that looks almost impossible. It turned out that sometimes it's not really that difficult, it's just hidden from the eye how it's done," says Rasmus.
The fashion house Iris van Herpen is based in Amsterdam and known for combining digital technology with traditional haute couture craftsmanship to create a new way of experiencing clothes. In other words, it is experimental and the creations often seem to challenge the laws of physics.
Paris Fashion Week and creation for Beyoncé
Rasmus got to try many different parts, high and low, during his time there.
"It could be to go to the other side of the country and pick up seashells to hand-sew for hours and put together and create new materials. I didn't really know what to expect in terms of design, but one of the most fun things I got to do was to create new materials.
During the period that Rasmus was there, he worked mainly on the collection Architectonics that was to be shown at Paris Fashion Week but also on a creation for Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour stop in Amsterdam. That particular creation was later classified as one of the best on the tour. Read more and see the pictures in Vogue.
Internship valuable complement to education
"It was a fantastic experience to join a company like Iris van Herpen. I thought it was bigger than it actually was, it's just a few employees. But it was also so much fun to live in Amsterdam for a period of time and get to socialize with others who are interested in the same things as me," says Rasmus.
Taking the chance to do an internship at an international fashion house is very worthwhile," says Pär Engsheden, the designer responsible for the fashion program at Beckmans.
"What the student takes with them is invaluable for their continued studies at the school, but also for their personal development. Daring to go out into the world opens up perspectives, complements the education and also provides valuable contacts in the industry that can lead to jobs.
Graduation collection for the fearless
For Rasmus, graduation awaits and work on the graduation collection is in full swing. The collection is a demonstration of various techniques that he has learned during his time at Beckmans – 3D printing, laser cutting, pleating and a lot of draping. From Iris van Herpen, he brings their pleating technique and how they build silhouette.
"My collection is very much about the relationship between body and garment, I want to weave them together so that the wearer becomes one with their garment.
Who do you see wearing your collection?
"Someone who is fearless, who wants to express himself with clothes and appreciates craftsmanship. Maybe Zendaya?
About Erasmus+ traineeships at Beckmans
Since 2022, students at Beckmans have the opportunity to do internships at companies in the EU to get to know the industry. Read more about Erasmus+ at Beckmans here.
