At only 24, Michael Van Der Ham is securing an exciting future in fashion. His recent Central Saint Martins MA collection turned many heads and earnt him a place in next season’s Fashion East Catwalk Show as well as an exhibition stand as part of New Gen. Watch this space!

Dazed Digital: When did your interest in fashion begin?
Michael Van Der Ham: When I was 12 I wrote a ridiculous paper on costume history

DD: What was the first thing you made?
Michael Van Der Ham: A badly sewn patchwork miniskirt with a racy slit. I was 16.

DD: Where did you study before Central Saint Martins?
Michael Van Der Ham: I did my BA Fashion in Holland, and then I moved to London.

DD: What was the inspiration behind your CSM MA collection?
Michael Van Der Ham: There are these amazing and rare dresses made by Andy Warhol in 1975 for the ‘Fashion as Fantasy’ exhibition, which was curated by Diana Vreeland. Each dress is made from sections or panels of designer dresses like Yves Saint Lauren, Oscar De La Renta, Valentino, Diane Von Furstenberg etc… I thought it would be a good idea to base the whole collection of dresses on this idea but instead of just using 1970’s dresses I expanded the research into the 1920’s, 1950’s and 1960’s shapes too. Each dress would become a mismatch and clash of fabrics, colours and cut. It’s about certain elements together that you wouldn’t normally sew together.

DD: What is your favourite piece in the collection and why?
Michael Van Der Ham: I guess the multicoloured, long dresses because they are less apologetic.

DD: What can we see from you next?
Michael Van Der Ham: I am so excited about my Fashion East Show and New Gen sponsorship for September. It’s a really great opportunity and it could not possibly come at a better time, it being the 25th anniversary of London Fashion week and me just graduating from Central Saint Martins.

DD: Where would you like to be in the future?
Michael Van Der Ham: A studio without a leaking roof would be amazing! One day....!

CREDITS

Photography Morgan White
Styling Kim Howells
Hair Amiee Robinson for Tommy Guns using Bumble and Bumble
Make-Up Yin Lee at Premier using MAC
Model Tatiana at Select
Photography Assistants Rueben Esser and Sachiko Tashiro
Styling Assistant Louby Mcloughlin