Avatar meets Terminator: 'Sphere' by Bibi van der Velden

Jewellery design / Fashion design

Bibi van der Velden's theatrical show featuring futuristic bulbous 'jewellery' worn by models emerging through a blue laser tunnel provided a spectacular finale to Amsterdam International Fashion Week.

By Jeanne Tan / 02-02-2010

Avatar meets Terminator: Bibi van der Velden's new collection for A/W 2010/11 stole the show at Amsterdam International Fashion Week's (AIFW) finale. For this collection 'Sphere', the young 'jewellery' designer explored the origin of things, resulting in an organic, futuristic collection of wearable works of art.

The audience was intrigued as models emerged from a blue laser tunnel, adjusting their eyes to the light to try to see the mysterious objects. Helmets, ear muffs, masks, shoulder accessories, oversized necklaces, beads and bangles were fashioned from materials including high tech stainless steel, mirror and glass. The pieces were created as an extension of the body, Van der Velden worked with a glass-blower to shape the pieces to the body. More extreme pieces included a crystal-covered mask and the finale, a stainless steel corset/body-armour piece and fitted round helmet (think a sexy female Robocop) which was paraded down the catwalk by top Dutch model Yfke Sturm. The audience went through the roof. An unforgettable ending to AIFW and sure to be a definite conversation favourite over cocktails and hors d'œuvres for many seasons to come.

Photography: Peter Stigter