By Jeanne Tan /asdf 21-01-2009

Young dutch fashion designers pull out all stops during Amsterdam International Fashion Week.

Fashion, fashion and more fashion will take over the country's capital soon for the 10th Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW). Catwalk shows will be mostly based at the Westergas terrein and the Downtown program sees events scattered throughout the city. This will be the last fashion week for founding director James Veenhoff. His successor Merle Deterink will begin as new director for the next AIFW in mid 2009. Veenhoff won't be disappearing completely though: he will remain with AIFW as a board member.

In other news, AIFW gets a more international boost with the return of America’s Next TopModel. Mckey Sullivan and Samantha Potter - winner and runner-up of America’s Next TopModel season eleven - will strut their stuff on the catwalks during AIFW. The two lucky girls received this opportunity by winning the Redlight Fashion Amsterdam challenge in the Amsterdam-based episodes of season 11. The six remaining girls at the time teamed up in duos and were challenged to pose in the windows of three Redlight Fashion designers - Bas Kosters, Edwin Oudshoorn and Jan Taminiau - in a way that ‘embodied’ the label. The jury for this challenge that consisted of Miss Jay - catwalkcoach - and Carlo Wijnands - talentscout from fashion recruitment & consultancy agency HTNK - chose the winning pair who graced the windows of Edwin Oudshoorn.

With so many events happening during AIFW, here's our picks for the week.

AIFW Catwalks and salon shows
Over five days of catwalks, young designers like Claes Iversen, Mada van Gaans, Iris van Herpen and Michael Barnaart van Bergen will be presenting new collections. Labels include Blue Blood and Individuals by AMFI. The presentation from darylvanwouw closes the programme. We'll also be on the talent look out during Collectie Arnhem and Fashion Institute Arnhem.

DOWNTOWN shows & presentations

Heineken Beat Collection by Bas Kosters
Heineken and Bas Kosters will present their new fashion collection: the Heineken Beat Collection by Bas Kosters. Presented and sold exclusively at Heineken the City, Amsterdam.

Antoine Peters, A/W 2009-2010, 'I'M WITH STUPID'
WGSN calls him "Holland's most promising designer", I-D describes his designs as "elegant, feminine with dry wit" and we love him for the 2-person sweater. Peters' new fashion show is called "I'm with stupid".

Dutch Fashion Foundation, Prelude A/W 2009-1010
The Dutch Fashion Foundation presents a selection of the best upcoming designers and gives them the opportunity to show their collections for four years at the Prelude salon programme: Catta Donkersloot, Conny Groenewegen, Marcha Hüskes, Sebastic, Sjaak Hullekes, Mattijs.

DOWNTOWN exhibitions & launches

Droog Design presents Fashion Design Corner
Part of the Droog gallery will be dedicated to Droog's take on fashion and design.

Foam in Van Loon - Bart Julius Peters
Dutch photographer Bart Julius Peters was invited by Foam_Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam to be inspired by the house of the family Van Loon.

Iris van Herpen meets Rolland Didier
Photo gallery Fashiona Mania presents the latest collection of Iris van Herpen and an interpretation of her collection by Rollan Didier.

Fashion trade fairs:
Modefabriek #26 held at Amsterdam RAI.
Plein 13 Amsterdam, held at World Fashion Centre Beursplaza

LaBeuf Shoes
Five upcoming shoe designers will present new creations: Gabry-shoes, Roswitha van Rijn, Nina Vlaming, Wopkeshoes and Dorotheart.

LockStock & Barrel
Karin Wolters by LockStock & Barrel.

Streetlab housewarming
It's a pilot for a new temporary gallery, showroom, shop and exhibition space for young creative people.

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