Berber Struiksma
Characharaboy
Floor van Helmond
Joris Janssen
Marco Blažević
Meike van Lelyveld
Rachel Klok
Salomé Jeanne
Wolter Pot
Berber Struiksma is a designer and autonomous creator whose work is deeply rooted in upcycling. Berber’s unique collage-like technique allows her to continually deconstruct and reconstruct her work, ensuring that each piece evolves and grows over time. This approach not only highlights the versatility of materials but also challenges the traditional concepts of permanence and value in art.
In her collections and installations, Berber Struiksma explores the intersection of fashion, body, and autonomy. Utilising recycled materials, video projections, and a touch of humor, she crafts her own whimsical fairy tale worlds. Each material she uses comes with a history, not thoroughly researched by Berber herself but reimagined in a new context that sparks curiosity about their past lives.
​
By deconstructing these materials and reincarnating them as characters in her installations, Berber breathes new life into objects that once had different functions. Her characters draw inspiration from fairy tales, myths, and sagas found in second-hand books, integrating both the themes and the physical pages into her work.
Berber’s work also serves as a critique of the fashion industry’s pretentiousness. She questions the necessity of chasing a fairy tale often sold by the competitive nature of the industry, where young designers strive for recognition through expensive materials and professional branding. Through her do-it-yourself ethos, Berber offers a playful yet sharp critique of this narrative, suggesting that true creativity and expression can emerge from alternative paths.
With her vision on upcycling, Berber Struiksma not only challenges the norms of the fashion industry but also promotes a more sustainable and authentic approach to creativity. Her work invites viewers to reconsider the value of materials and the stories they can tell, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to create and consume in today’s world.
