Dion
Van de Kamp

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About the Designer: Dion Van de Kamp is a queer, neurodivergent fashion design student in Melbourne/naarm, Australia. He created Australia’s first carbon-neutral fashion brand in 2020 and now leads an experiential, narrative-driven practice that blends personal experiences and memories with themes of identity, sex, nostalgia, and religious experiences using experimental textile processes, chainmail, and sustainable ways of working.  Van de Kamp’s previous works have been featured in several editorial spreads, including London's Jón Magazine. His work is currently being exhibited as part of both Melbourne Fashion Week and Melbourne Fringe Festival. Collection Statement: ‘maslow.’ explores housing insecurity and it’s effects on our ability to thrive through the lense of ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’. Each body represents a layer of the hierarchy, telling stories of social housing, escaping bad circumstances, self-discovery, and building a life with hope for the future. The dress in particular is made up of over 2000 pieces connected by hand across 100+ hours of work. The pendants were custom-made using recycled stainless steel. The collection references brutalist architecture; the materials and textures reflecting harsh environments such as concretes, limestones and metals. Paired with style lines that create vanishing points throughout, connecting to a feeling of being invisible in the system. Van de Kamp’s process is heavily influenced by his neurodiversity. The slow, meticulous nature of chainmail work reflects his own personal challenges, while digital tools aid his inability to visualise mentally. Van de Kamp continues to develop bodies of work within the collection to represent each of the five layers of the hierarchy, exploring the intersection between survival and self-actualisation. His broader goal is to use storytelling in fashion to share uncomfortable stories that inspire a deeper appreciation for the art, people, and stories behind every garment. Digital Portfolio: https://issuu.com/dionvandekamp/docs/dion_van_de_kamp._maslow._2024._digital Publications, Press + Editorials: - https://www.instagram.com/p/DAVVfEUznNx/?igsh=MW5qa2p0amg1OTl6Nw== - https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/arise-3/ - https://mfw.melbourne.vic.gov.au/event/fashion-capsules - https://www.instagram.com/p/DAXqS1vz-MX/?igsh=Nmg1djY4cW9rZTQw - https://www.instagram.com/p/C9bKg6jSpdd/?igsh=MW9sZmU4eTluZTN6Zw== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C81km0qSx3x/?igsh=MWszaDNtaHlua3BvZw== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C9ZooFJSDux/?igsh=MXF6NGpoNDc0Y3VoMQ== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C9BuFfzyGp6/?igsh=MWMweGk0cXZ0YnlvOQ== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kxhJEyAum/?igsh=MWRlZm15ajh6eDgyOA== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C_tv_AizQ79/?igsh=MWJtMHB0amFtNzJvbA== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wHu8mT-Mo/?igsh=bmY5emExOTQ2Nmt6 - https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ywdrtTYiu/?igsh=MWN5NTN0bzViNXBkdg== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C_zYblgPMSu/?igsh=MWMzeXFncHU5M2h2Zw== - https://www.instagram.com/p/C_39hwITWzV/?igsh=aHdnZGQ4czB6aTN0