Quiet yet striking they walk the streets; Jewish men in classic long black coats, hats, long beards and ringlets covering their ears. Out of reach though exuding authority.

Many religions can be identified from recognizable elements in people’s appearances that hide the individual identity. This protection of individual identities creates a distance that triggers my curiosity for the person behind this image. My collection embodies my vision on these hidden identities.

Clean and sober silhouettes refer to known silhouettes in Judaism. An extensive research on Jewish praying materials and ethnic fabrics resulted in a fabric range that I designed and developed myself. Hand woven and hand knitted woolens in various qualities with ethnic patterns express simplicity and personality.
Photos: Lonneke van der Palen