• Nada van Dalen (2007)
12-06-2013Nada van Dalen graduated in 2007 at Willem de Kooning and now has her own label.

Photo: Isolde Woudstra

 

When and why did you decide to study fashion?

I think I was six years old. I come from an artist family. My father is a teacher at the Willem de Kooning Academy and an artist. My mom was always making her own clothes. I grew up with art around me, and I fell in love with the concept books in the fashion department. The concept books are still an important part of my work.

 

What are you doing at the moment?

I just finished my new collection, movie and installation You want me to be shiny, then I’ll be shiny, but not the shiny you think of.
SCOTOMA-NADA.

a blind spot or blind area in the field of vision.
 YOU WANT ME TO BE SHINY, THEN I’ll BE SHINY! BUT NOT THE SHINY YOU THINK OF.
 Acquired situational narcissism–Aggressive narcissism–Codependency (inverted narcissism or co-narcissism)–Collective or group narcissism–Conversational narcissism–Corporate narcissism–Cross-cultural narcissism–Cultural narcissism–Destructive narcissism–Malignant narcissism–Medical narcissism–Phallic narcissism–Primordial narcissism–Sexual narcissism–Spiritual narcissism–Narcissistic parents–Narcissistic Leadership–Deadly Sins of Narcissism

 

And now I’m doing the production of this collection.

I just did it right after the academy in 2007.
What’s been an important moment in your development so far?
I was nominated in 2010 for Hyères, and I was going to meet Malcolm McLaren – he was in the jury – but he died a month before I went there. And my new collection movie.

 

Were there certain skills or knowledge you felt you lacked after graduating? How have you tackled this?

I was sloppy and chaotic. The sloppy part I tackled by practice and working hard. Chaotic I am still! And I have a lack of selling skills, but I get a little help from my man.
Has your perception of what you want to become in the fashion industry changed since graduation?
No!

 

What is your ambition for the years to come?

I want to make two collections a year and live from my work, and show in Paris. And I want to do a lot of exhibitions with my installations and movies. I’m planning to do a residency in the USA and drive around with my man in a big Chevy. And maybe make babies. I don’t know if it will come together, but LIFE IS…………….NADA.