Iris van Herpen awarded with Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds fashion stipend

By

Shomara Roosblad

Published
May 26, 2016

Iris van Herpen has been awarded a €50,000 fashion stipend from the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds. She is the sixth designer to receive the most prestigious fashion prize of the Netherlands. 

Prior to Iris van Herpen, Dutch designers Ilja Visser (2011), Francisco van Benthum (2012), Spijkers and Spijkers (2012), Jan Taminiau (2013) and designer duo Mark van Vorstenbos and Twan Janssen (2014) received the fashion stipend.

The Cultuurfonds have honoured the designer for her cross-border thinking and the innovative development in her work.

“The role of philanthropy is becoming increasingly important in a changing landscape. We hope that this generous gift can continue to create not only top fashion designers, but also givers. People who through their passion and love for fashion, in their own way can contribute to the developments in the field,” said Adriana Esmeijer, Director Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.

The Cultuurfonds was founded in London in 1940 by Prince Bernhard, late grandfather of Willem Alexander, the present king, to buy war material for the British and Dutch Governments. It continued after the war as Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds aimed at rebuilding the war-torn cultural life in the Netherlands.

Today, the foundation’s mission is to support cultural and nature preservation projects in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles (Curaςao, Bonaire, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Saba) and Aruba. The Cultuurfonds emphasizes artistic excellence and educational initiatives.