When I arrived in Paris in March, I was excited but also a little uncertain. I came to the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme because I wanted to understand how my artistic practice and experience in creative direction could operate within the fashion ecosystem. Three months later, I feel that the experience has already exceeded my expectations in many ways.
One of the most important aspects of the exchange has been how integrated I have become within the host studio. Rather than observing from the sidelines, I quickly became involved in ongoing projects and discussions. A major highlight has been our collaboration with the French fashion brand Thierry Colson. As the brand is currently repositioning itself I was given the opportunity to work closely with the founder and contribute to its creative direction. I had considerable creative freedom and worked on the overall narrative, visual identity, photographic direction, website aesthetics, and brand image, while my host Pepin Van Eeden focused on the organisational and operational side of the business.
Seeing how our different skills complemented each other showed me that it is possible to combine artistic thinking with commercial objectives, creating brands that are both meaningful and sustainable. Another important experience was participating in a fashion project in the French Alps near Mont Blanc for an emerging fashion brand. This project marked the brand’s first lookbook and was an important moment in its development. I was involved in shaping the creative direction and visual identity of the brand, helping refine its image and positioning while Pepijn worked on investment and business development strategies. During the shoot itself, I collaborated closely with the founder, photographer, stylist, and models to define the overall aesthetic direction.
Through Pepijn Van Eeden Bureau, I have visited studios, ateliers, and institutions such as the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), where I had the opportunity to meet tutors, directors, and professionals working across the industry. These encounters have given me valuable insight into how brands are built, how talent is developed, and how different actors collaborate. I have also visited production spaces and fashion studios, gaining a better understanding of the journey from concept to garment. We are currently in the middle of Fashion Week, with several meetings already arranged with brands and designers, making this a particularly exciting moment to experience the industry from the inside.
The main challenge so far has been language. Coming from the Netherlands, where almost everyone works comfortably in English, adapting to the French context has required extra effort. There are moments when communication needs to happen quickly and language can become a small obstacle. At the same time, this challenge has pushed me to become more adaptable and confident in unfamiliar situations.
Overall, I feel that the objectives of the programme are being met. I came to Paris to learn how creative studios could operate within fashion, to develop entrepreneurial skills, and to understand how my artistic methodology could contribute to this field. I am already gaining valuable knowledge about pricing, client relationships, brand development, and the realities of building a sustainable creative business.
