The Arnhem Mode Biennale, also known as the State of Fashion, is held in Arnhem, a city in the province of Gelderland, Netherlands. Beginning in 2005, the event is organized every two years, with each edition focusing on an urgent theme curated by an ever-changing teIn 2011, A.F. Vandevorst showcased a profound exploration of the transient nature of beauty, a theme often revisited by the Belgian fashion label, founded by An Vandevorst and Filip Arickx.
The installation was a tribute to their Autumn/Winter 1998-99 collection, first unveiled in Paris. At the heart of the installation was a wax sculpture of a sleeping girl, dressed in A.F. Vandevorst. The girl, along with the mattress and pillow she rested on, were all meticulously crafted from candle wax. This choice of material was not merely aesthetic, but deeply symbolic. The wax, once lit, would slowly melt away over the course of the biennale, transforming the once perfect image into a distorted memory. This temporal aspect of the installation added a layer of depth to the piece, inviting viewers to reflect on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitable passage of time. The girl, in her peaceful slumber, was oblivious to her own transformation, adding a poignant touch to the narrative.
The installation was displayed at the main exhibition at the AkzoNobel site, in building B4. The industrial setting contrasted with the delicate wax figure, further emphasizing the fragility and transience of the piece.
