What happens when you let Jan Taminiau and Lisa Konno look at the largest fashion and costume collection in the Netherlands? In 2026, Kunstmuseum Den Haag celebrates a special milestone: 75 years of the fashion collection. With this large-scale fashion exhibition, the museum, together with a wide range of co-curators, reflects on the rich, multifaceted, and surprisingly contemporary fashion and costume collection throughout the years. Reflections on Fashion features iconic designs by Iris van Herpen, Coco Chanel, Fong-Leng, Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Jan Taminiau, Viktor & Rolf, Frank Govers, and Karim Adduchi, among others. But, through the eyes of the co-curators, you see them each time in a new and surprising perspective.
Innovative collaborations
This exhibition is realized in collaboration with a wide variety of renowned guest curators, including Jan Taminiau, Tess van Zalinge, Ronald van der Kemp, Lisa Konno, Janice Deul, and KledingCast. Their perspectives ensure new stories, surprising combinations, and a fresh look at the collection.
Each room is designed differently, based on the vision of the co-curators within a unifying design by Maarten Spruyt, inspired by the Berlage building where the collection has been housed for 40 years. The co-curators dove into the depot with great enthusiasm to each devise their own concept and use it to furnish a room. Let yourself be surprised in Tess van Zalinge’s open depot, where the invisible becomes visible. Discover the animations of 18th-century costumes by Alu Studios. Explore the stimulating combinations of ULKUHANBATUHAN, the many shades of black selected throughout the ages by Jan Taminiau, and the forms of protest brought together by Lisa Konno. In Bas Kosters’ space, you contribute to a Gesamtkunstwerk: a safe home for everyone.
From ‘worthless’ to crowd favorite
Reflections on Fashion offers a glimpse into the work behind the scenes of a fashion collection, from the restoration studio to the depot. One of the showpieces of the exhibition is a soft pink Chanel dress from 1926, known from the AVROTROS program * Geheimen van het museum* (Secrets of the Museum ). The dress was discovered as an unexpected find in a collection of fabric remnants, causing a moment of great astonishment. After intensive in-house restoration, this object grew into a crowd favorite online and is now being exhibited for the first time.
Reflections on Fashion brings these kinds of processes to life, offers a fresh perspective on the highlights of the collection, and takes visitors behind the scenes. With an ‘open depot in the gallery’ and the opportunity to follow restorations up close like a true ‘dress detective,’ the making process becomes tangible. For the open depot, Tess van Zalinge selected collection pieces from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries that can be viewed inside and out: from crinolines and corsets to the hidden lining of a gown.
Living collection
From 17th-century showpieces to recent creations fresh off the catwalk: the Kunstmuseum’s fashion collection demonstrates how fashion continues to renew itself and how clothing tells stories of identity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the times. What began in 1951 as the Netherlands Costume Museum grew within 75 years into the largest fashion and costume collection in the Netherlands, comprising more than 50,000 costumes and accessories. The collection is alive, inspiring, and embraced by a new generation time and again. And that is precisely what was written in the 1950s: that the collection aimed to be ‘a living institution,’ one that ‘stands at the heart of life.’ Reflections on Fashion shows exactly that.
For 75 years, many people have worked on this collection with so much love: collecting, restoring, narrating, and exhibiting. Always from different visions, fashions, and perspectives, with the collection as a constant factor. With this exhibition and the hefty catalogue, we honour the work of all the makers, donors, and colleagues who have worked on the collection with heart and soul. The collaboration with all the enthusiastic co-curators brings a wonderful energy. Also very special: we asked them ‘what is missing,’ and where possible, we are now filling those gaps. All this shows that our fashion collection is loved by many and continually inspires and offers new perspectives, generation after generation. I am proud of that.’ Madelief Hohé, Curator of Fashion and Costume .
Reflections on Fashion looks back and forward with optimism. Co-creations, never-before-seen items, and new additions to the collection provide surprises. A feast for the eyes, and moreover, a celebration of fashion and special stories. An ode to 75 years of fashion history, and to the inspiration that fashion can offer. Margriet Schavemaker, General Director
Public program
The public program of Reflections on Fashion seamlessly aligns with the presentations and collections of the co-curators in the exhibition, offering visitors a multifaceted and in-depth experience. For instance, they can attend a demonstration of tying the angisa by Tailors & Wearers, receive an in-room explanation of the kotos from the collection, and enjoy a historical fashion show presented by the Dutch Costume Society.
In addition, several Female Gaze tours are on the program, during which various co-curators guide visitors through the exhibition and bring the collection to life from their own perspectives. These personal approaches offer new insights and invite reflection on fashion, heritage, and identity.
For those who want to get creative themselves, workshops have been organized by DeSteek and others, and there is a maker table with designer Bas Kosters. The program is further enriched with two panel discussions, in collaboration with Patta Academy and KledingCast. The full program, including dates and participants, will be announced shortly.
Reflections on Fashion is on view from July 4, 2026, to January 3, 2027, at Kunstmuseum Den Haag.
Images: Sherika Rooplal-Clappers
Sherika Rooplal-Clappers is a contributing writer for The Hague Online, covering culture, lifestyle, and local events. With a passion for storytelling and international perspectives, she highlights the people, places, and experiences that make The Hague a dynamic city.
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