Iris van Herpen shows her latest collection ‘Earthrise’ during Paris Haute Couture Week on July, 5th 2021.
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With our planet positioned at the forefront of the global agenda more than ever before, ‘Earthrise’ explores the splendour of this blue body we call home by circling towards the amalgamated awareness to maintain the grandeur of the turning sphere we traverse along. In parallel to Van Herpen’s drive towards an interconnected approach to fashion, the 19 look collection narrates the circular processes that usher change in our sentient world by weaving a symbiotic thread between artisanal tailoring and organic craftsmanship, derived from the perception of our world as one living and breathing organism.

With the turn of the last century came the launch of Apollo 8, the firstever crewed spacecraft to leave Earth’s orbit and witness the Earthrise from the Moon’s horizon. Astronauts looked over our revolving sphere from afar, to see a boundless, indescribable space; a living, breathing organism, unmarred by conflict, borders as well as hierarchies and all of the entrenched partisans that make up the minutiae of our quotidian lives. Against the darkness of the inky black vastness of space, they experienced an emotional shift: a cosmic perspective of oneness.

Contemplated as a metamorphic realisation, the expedition went beyond scientific headway, remaining a pivotal moment in our evolution as sensitive sapiens. ‘Earthrise’ symbolises this shift of an anthropocentric perspective — our discernment of time has never felt so spectral. Tasked to feel, rather than to count, this novel ethos was framed as ‘Earthgazing,' to observe the intricacies of this cosmic view and the magnificence of our surrounding mythosphere. To challenge the immensity of space that surrounds our tellurian haven, Iris van Herpen, enraptured by the seductive ancient human dream to fly out into the stratosphere of the unfamiliar, collaborates with the female worldchampion skydiver Domitille Kiger. Capering through the expansive skies, from the age of 15, the designer grew fascinated by the choreographed performance of her craft, fusing two diametrical opposed worlds of artistry and science.

Through Kiger’s graceful skydancing, she embodies a new meaning of earthly freedom, thwarting any fear with the spirit of transcendence. Through the extreme speed and Kiger's choreography, while skydancing, the custom Haute Couture gown reveals the turbulence of the intricate handwork. Made from thousands of blue spheres in colour gradients, embodying our 'blue marble’ home, the gown spins off in dazzling twists in an array of directions simultaneously.


SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
Domitille Kiger | Fédération Française de Parachutisme
Tsunaina & Tré Koch | GOSEE
Masha Vasyukova & Evgueni Galperine
Olga Leventis | Uprising Productions
Alpinist Team | Guide Alpine Cortina
Thomas Bonnouvrier & Rita Bao | Art + Commerce
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Film Director: Masha Vasyukova | Art + Commerce
Director of Photography: Simon Plunket
Special Collaborating Artists: Casey Curran & Rogan Brown
Print Collaboration: Olga Shvartsur
Skydiver: Domitille Kiger
Styling: Patti Wilson
Casting: Maxime Valentini & Tobias Heinrichs
Original Soundtrack: "Oumuamua, Space Wanderings” (Remix)
Music composed & performed by: Evgueni Galperine
Supporting Vocals: Tsunaina
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Couture Atelier: Petra Schuddeboom, Julia van den Boorn, Rebecca Ward, Megan Robotham, Diogo Van der Sandt & Christian Reiche
Jewellery Collaboration: James Merry
Footwear Collaboration: SCRY Lab
EcoInnovation Partner: Parley for the Oceans
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Models: Tsunaina, Ana Jorge, Awa Diallo, Britt van den Herik, Issa Lish, J Moon, Judy Kinuthia, Krini Hernandez, Sara Eirud, Sylvana Merién, Xiaoyi Liu
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Makeup: Giulia Cigarini, Selene Tessera the MAC PRO Team | Kelly McClain | Connie Man
Hair: Olivier Schawalder, Damien Lacoussade (Bryant Artists) | Ilham Mestour
Nail Art: Eichi Matsunaga
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Skydive Footage: Alexandre Aimard | Satori Factory
Associate Production: Maud Jézéquel
Head of Video & Onsite Production: Ivan Martinucci | Square People
Drone Footage: Monte Bianco Droni, Luigi Cinalli, Mattia Fabiano
Editing: MarieCharlotte Moreau & Masha Vasyukova
Colour Grading: Kevin Le Dortz | DFactory
First Looks Imagery: Siermond & Nicholas Fols | Auron Lab
Skydive Backstage Photography: King Axle & Jenny Norin
Collection Lookbook Photography: FeeGloria Grönemeyer & Team
Collection Lookbook Videography: Jip Mus
Line Production: Paul van As & Youri Spaay
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Process Videography: Yorrick van der Gugten
Collection Essay: Scarlett Baker & Tobias Heinrichs
Illustrations Artwork: Nastya Kuzmina