Staphorst summer fair

The folklore of Staphorst is fascinating. Last Wednesday I revisited this village during one of the yearly summer fairs. There was more than enough to see and do for one day, so I focused on their typical textile crafts.

I took this photograph in the Museumboerderij. The costume presentation there by Dirk Kok was excellent - very informative and fun. It showed the different costumes for various occassions, for men and women, rich and poor and young and old.

In two of the main streets there was a great fair with many retailers but also a lady spinning, a lady crocheting the typical bicycle accessoiries, a lady knitting purses with tiny beads, one making a typical cap and of course one making the typical 'stipwerk' (dotting).

At the jumble sale I gathered my own little stack of Staphorst. Bits of fabric but also some second hand garments. I love the colors and the contrasts. Below you see a 'kraplap' - the top that adds color and individuality to the dark womens clothes.

Staphorst is one of the few places left in the Netherlands where people still wear traditional clothing every day. They do so with pride and are very open to anyone who's interested.

It's amazing how much crafting is involved in their lifestyle. Their hard work and choice of bright colors (also in their houses) are a joy.

Ultrafine needlework from Hungary

One striking stall at craft fair Hip and Handgemaakt in Deventer last week was Hungarian based Ribisli. With ultrafine yarn and needles they knit, crochet and embroider the most delicate items.

These crochet pebbles caught my attention and I asked the size of the needle. "Eighty", the lady said. It takes a day to make one and each one is adapted to the size of the pebble.

Then I saw these knitted towels with crochet borders. They're made of hemp and dry quickly after use. They're thin but very sustainable - according to the lady they last decades.

Also very pretty were these starched stars. You can hang them against a window to see the light fall through or you can sew them on a dress, purse or pillow as decoration.

Photos on the website show how delicate this work is. Ribisli's aim is to help female needlework regain its old-time social recognition and a fresh place in our modern living. I'm impressed.

Traditional costumes on the catwalk

I love this. Fashion designer Ricardo Ramos is bringing traditional costumes from Staphorst on the catwalk. He obtained 'kraplappen', 'stipwerk' and other typical clothing from this small Dutch village at a local auction and turned them into spectacular new robes.

Photos by Andreia Martins

Ramos was attracted by the colorful flower patterns on a black background. The costumes date from almost two centuries ago. The fact that they're still worn in everyday life in Staphorst fascinates him. By taking them on stage the fashion designer wants to contribute to the conservation of cultural heritage.

Women at the auction (photo by de Stentor)

Ramos named his collection Fashion in Motion: Reconstructing Klederdracht F/W 11-12. On January 19, 2011 De León by Ricardo Ramos will present it during the Berlin Fashion Week at the Instituto Cervantes in Berlin. What I love about it, is that it's a perfect fusion of old values and contemporary art. Here is some more to enjoy.