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