Trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort is the curator of the fifth edition of MºBA (Mode Biënnale Arnhem). For this edition, Edelkoort has chosen to look at fashion from the festishism point of view.

Fetishism in Fashion is a series of exhibitions and events researching and mapping the passionate and ritual connection between people and fashion/accessories. Arnhem is a major fashion city in the Netherlands and is home to the famous fashion department of ArtEZ, of which Edelkoort was a student herself. In 2013, ArtEZ Fashion Design exists 60 years and will celebrate this during MºBA. The biennial takes place from 8th June until 21st July, in the centre of Arnhem’s innercity. MºBA Centraal, an impressive new building, is the location where the expositions, seminars, film festival, dance and performance installations will happen.

The main exhibition Fetishism in Fashion consists of 13 rooms in which the fascinating world of fetishism will be exposed. The true nature of fetishism will come to live thanks to clothing, accessories, photography, film, and a mix of media. Shamanism, infantilism, legends, nudism, and nomadism are a few of the intriguing key words of this exhibition.

The backdrop of the biennial goes further than the sexual charge which is expressed by some clothes and accessories. Edelkoort studies the strong connections between a piece of clothing and the person wearing it, the obsession people have with fashion, and the eccentric extremes which sometimes arise from man’s desire for beauty. According to Edelkoort, this fetishism is expressed in our daily clothing. While getting dressed, people are guided by intuitive and apparent irrational processes. Yet often our wardrobe choices are triggered by emotional and often obsessive mechanisms. From diverse bra straps over shoelaces to the laces astringing the corset – fetishism is literally interlinked to man and its daily design.

One of the most prominent garments of the biennial will be the apron. The apron is a notorious example of fetishism due to its sexual charge (the open back) and symbolism of service: nurses, waiters, and maids all wear aprons.

From 8-30 March tickets cost €15 (early bird), from 31st March tickets will be €20. Tickets are available at moba.nu and allow for visiting the biennial during one day of choice between 8th June and 21st July.

More info at moba.nu and the Fetishism in Fashion blog.