Wearing a length of stovepipe as a necklace in 2014 would raise a few eyebrows, but back in 1967 it caused a sensation. Jewellery designers Gijs Bakker and Emmy van Leersum broke new ground with their collaborative show at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, bringing together design, art and fashion in a revolutionary way and gaining them international recognition.
Apart from the pair’s stand-out designs, the show, part of the larger Edelsmen 3 exhibition, was remarkable for its presentation. Featuring electronic music, cutting-edge lighting, and futuristically-styled live models throwing shapes, the show can claim to have changed the face of fashion presentation as well as breaking new ground in the designs themselves. The museum is currently revisiting the work of Bakker and van Leersum with The Gijs+Emmy Spectacle, a retrospective of their creative endeavours from 1967-72. The centrepiece of the event is a reconstruction of the famous show, including backstage images and sounds from just before the original show started. No footage has survived of the actual show, and this version has been pieced together by first hand accounts from people who attended and participated, as well as Bakker himself. There will also be seven outfits and a jewellery collection on view. The event will be held from 22 February to 3 August.
Sonja Bakker with Large Collar
by Gijs Bakker, 1967,
collection Stedelijk Museum,
‘s-Hertogenbosch,
photo: Matthijs Schrofer
Renie van Wijk with
PVC Head Ornament by Gijs Bakker, 1967,
photo: Sjaak Ramakers
Sonja Bakker in blue and black pantsuit
with Large Collar, 1967.
Pantsuit: Gemeentemuseum, Den Haag;
collar: Stedelijk Museum,
’s-Hertogenbosch.
photo: Matthijs Schrofer
Gijs Bakker, Scholderpiece, 1967,
photo: Rien Bazen,
courtesy Gijs Bakker
Sonja Bakker in turquoise halter dress
with Neck Ornament by Gijs Bakker, 1967.
Dress: collection Gemeentemuseum, Den Haag;
Neck ornament: collection Stedelijk Museum,
’s-Hertogenbosch,
photo: Matthijs Schrofer
Imagery courtesy Stedelijk Museum
