Summary

• Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Iris van Herpen’s Sculpting the Senses exhibition
• The retrospective showcases over 100 haute couture pieces, blending fashion with art and science
• Highlights include pieces from the SS11“Crystallization” SS20 “Sensory Seas” collections

After Singapore’s ArtScience Museum, Kunsthal Rotterdam will be the next museum to host Iris van Herpen’s Sculpting the Senses exhibition. Dedicated to the groundbreaking work of Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herper, this major retrospective, originally conceived by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, has traveled internationally since its initial run from 2023.

The showcase will feature over a hundred of van Herper’s most iconic creations, offering visitors an immersive experience that bridges fashion, contemporary art, design and science.
Notable pieces include the SS20 Labyrinthine Gown, the Hypnosis Speed Top from FW11 and the FW11 Skeleton Dress, to name a few. Through multisensory installations and a dynamic exhibition design, the retrospective invites audiences to explore the evolving relationship between clothing, the body and the environment.

Known for her avant-garde approach to haute couture, van Herpen seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, redefining the boundaries of fashion. The Dutch designer is deeply inspired by nature, with collections such as “Crystallization” from SS11 and “Sensory Seas” from SS20, reflecting her fascination with organic forms. The “Crystallization” collection captures water in various states – liquid, frozen, and vaporous – through intricate designs crafted using handblown glass and laser-cut techniques. Meanwhile, “Sensory Seas” draws parallels between the human nervous system and ocean currents, using translucent fabrics to evoke the fluidity of deep-sea life.

The exhibition also highlights the design’s fascination with mythology, futurism and the human body. Inspired by 15th-century painter Hieronymus Bosch’s artworks, van Herpan incorporates surreal and symbolic elements into her designs, questioning the boundaries between human and animal forms. Her Hypnosis dress, developed with architect Philip Beesley, uses laser-cut kaleidoscopic patterns to create an optical illusion that shifts with movement, blurring the distinction between body and garment.

Scheduled to open on September 27, Sculpting the Senses will be on view at Kunsthal Rotterdam’s Hall 2 until March 1, 2026. For more information, visit the museum’s official website.

Kunsthal Rotterdam
Museumpark
Westzeedijk 341
3015 AA Rotterdam
Netherlands