A sartorial trailblazer—Iris van Herpen has crafted a world where the lines between traditional couture and state-of-the-art technology blur. The Dutch designer is widely recognised for pushing the boundaries of craft through her novel approach to materials and construction. She became the first designer to showcase a 3D-printed dress on the runway with her ‘Crystallisation’ collection in 2010. Drawing inspiration from a medley of disciplines—spanning nature, architecture, science, and even niche concepts like lucid dreaming—her creations challenge conventional ideas of what clothing can be.
Now, in collaboration with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ is making its debut in Asia at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum. The exhibition offers an in-depth retrospective of van Herpen’s work, featuring over 140 captivating pieces, alongside accessories and a carefully curated selection of elements that inspired her—ranging from modern artworks and natural specimens to fascinating artefacts.
The exhibition is structured across 11 zones, covering nine thematic sections that highlight key aspects of her artistic process. To enhance the experience, each section is complemented by custom sound designs, creating a multisensory journey that immerses visitors in her vision.
Below, Vogue Singapore highlights five things to know about the ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ exhibtion.
1 / 5
It’s Iris van Herpen’s first and only solo exhibition in Asia
This marks the first time an entire exhibition has been dedicated to van Herpen’s work in the region, making it a monumental moment for both fashion and art in Asia. While her designs have been displayed in various group exhibitions worldwide, ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ is the most comprehensive showcase of her career to date. Featuring over 140 pieces from different collections, the exhibition details her evolution as a designer—from her early experiments in movement to her latest explorations of biomimicry and digital fabrication.
2 / 5
It will be held in Singapore’s very own ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum’s focus on the intersection of art, science, and technology makes it the perfect setting for this showcase. Known for its forward-thinking exhibitions, the museum’s architectural design mirrors van Herpen’s organic, fluid aesthetic. The exhibition also features artefacts from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, complemented by contemporary works from Southeast Asian artists, creating a rich context that deepens the connection between van Herpen’s designs and its diverse influences. Designed to be fully immersive, each of the nine thematic zones is enhanced by custom sound designs created by Dutch composer and music producer Salvador Breed. These soundscapes add an extra layer of depth, reinforcing the connection between her pieces and the various disciplines that inspire them.
3 / 5
The exhibition features 11 zones covering 9 key themes
Sculpting the Senses is structured around nine central themes that reflect van Herpen’s unique notions and original techniques. Within these 11 immersive zones, visitors are invited to explore the intricacies of her design process. ‘Water and Dreams’ delves into the physical and metaphorical presence of water, shaping much of her collections. ‘Sensory Sea Life’ draws inspiration from the ocean, with its creatures influencing textures that evoke an ethereal sense of movement. ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ brings together diverse sources of inspiration, seamlessly blending art, science, and boundless curiosity.
In ‘Forces Behind the Forms’, nature’s organic shapes come to the forefront, with a focus on biological processes such as morphogenesis and sustainable design. Meanwhile, ‘Skeletal Embodiment’ examines the human body, using it as a canvas for garments that blur the boundaries between the living and the inert.
‘Synaesthesia’ takes a deep dive into altered states of consciousness and perception, informed by her research into the phenomenon of synaesthesia. ‘Alchemic Atelier’ offers a glimpse into van Herpen’s creative process, where advanced technologies meet familiar techniques in the pursuit of sustainable couture.
‘Growth Systems’ explores the intersection of organic structures and architecture, while ‘Mythology of Fear’ draws from mythology to contemplate the hybridisation of the human experience. Lastly, ‘New Nature’ envisions a future where the convergence of nature and technology prompts us to question the role of the body in a post-human world.
4 / 5
Van Herpen’s innovative techniques are on full display
Van Herpen is renowned for her extraordinary ability to blend customary couture techniques with cutting-edge technology. The exhibition highlights her groundbreaking use of 3D printing, algorithmic design, and laser cutting—processes that have set her apart in the fashion world. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the intricate craftsmanship behind her work, with pieces featuring unexpected elements like kinetic designs and fabrics that echo organic structures. Additionally, the exhibition offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at her atelier, showcasing research materials and experimental processes that reveal the depth of her innovative approach to sartorial art.
5 / 5
The exhibition highlights her interdisciplinary influences
Van Herpen’s work us nuanced by fields as diverse as physics, biology, dance, as well as philosophy. She has collaborated with artists, architects, and scientists to develop her pieces, incorporating concepts from neuroscience, microbiology, and even aerodynamics into her designs. The exhibition includes contemporary artworks and scientific artefacts that provide context to her inspirations, illustrating how her work exists at the intersection of multiple disciplines. By bringing together elements from different fields, ‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ showcases the visionary designer’s ability to sculpt designs that are not just visually striking, but also deeply and intricately conceptual.
‘Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses’ will be open to public from 15 March 2025 at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
