Iris Van Herpen wowed us once again with her S/S 2011 collection "Escapism" at Paris Haute-Couture. This young Dutch artist has fused together the worlds of industrial design and fashion to create futuristic garments out of materials varying from metal to silk blend. Favouring art and expression over functionality, and with the help of architect Daniel Widrig, she used what is essentially a 3D printer to create accordion style pieces that transformed models into sculptures. This season's collection was inspired by the creations of American artist Kris Kuksi and belonged in a modern art museum or up on stage with Lady Gaga as much as it did on the runway. Irish Van Herpen graduated from the avante garde haven ARTEZ Institute of the Arts (Anhem) in 2006. She worked under such names as Alexander McQueen and Victor & Rolf before creating her own line in 2007.
