Hook & Eye Dress
Project Overview
For Tess van Zalinge, I developed a hook-and-eye dress that transforms one of the most functional and often unseen elements of a garment into its central visual feature. Inspired by the construction of corsets, where hook-and-eye closures are essential, the piece brings the “backbone” of the garment to the forefront.
Workflow
Over four weeks, I designed the pattern, developed the concept, and manually connected hundreds of hook-and-eye pieces to create a flexible, chainmail-like surface. The repetitive construction became both the structure and the aesthetic of the dress, turning a utilitarian fastening into a sculptural textile.
The item was dressed on stage as part of the Tess van Zalinge show during Copenhagen Fashion Week and was first presented at Tess van Zalinge’s 10-year anniversary show in Utrecht.
Photography: Iris Ooms, Keune Cosmetics, Sofia Maria, Paul Kooiker. Designer: Tess van Zalinge. Production: Babette Buro. Model: Nina Dozy.