Ham-ing it up…

Exclusive to Liberty Michael Van Der Ham's gorgeous jigsaw dresses are in the house

 We are so excited to introduce rising star Michael Van Der Ham… we caught up for a Q&A with the man himself…

Last September, Michael Van Der Ham showed his debut collection at London Fashion Week. Having only just graduated from the illustrious Central Saint Martins’ MA course, Van Der Ham was chosen to show with Fashion East, who provide support as well as a unique platform for new designers. Michael’s stunning dresses are constructed like jigsaws, as fabrics and shapes from different eras and styles are fused together. His Spring Summer collection is available now exclusively at Liberty, both online and in store.

 

Your collections have been met with a very positive response, how has

it been to have so much support for your work?

 

Obviously it helps very much to have a positive support system but it’s important for me to keep focused on the work and keep improving.

 

How has it been working with Lulu Kennedy of Fashion East?

 

Lulu is amazing, I can always rely on her for great advice. Lulu arranges the most original show spaces too. A/W 2010 I’ll show with Fashion East for the second time and I can’t wait.

 

You’re using Liberty Art Fabrics for your next collection – what

makes these special to you?

 

I want to use Liberty Art Fabrics in my new collection because I’ve always liked to use vintage fabrics in my work. Liberty has such an extensive archive of intricate prints from various decades making it an amazing pleasure picking my favourites to feature within the new collection.

 

Your initial inspiration came from Andy Warhol’s collaged fashion designs (featured in the Fashion as Fantasy exhibition, 1975). Do you also have a mood or specific inspiration for Autumn Winter?

 

I’m going for a more expressive look and there’s going to be a lot more pattern.

 

Where do you source your fabrics from?

 

A lot of the time I make a point of mixing fabrics together that normally won’t go together. So pretty much everywhere; super-expensive limited couture fabrics from fairs in France to £1 a meter markets in London.

 

How did you find studying at Central Saint Martins?

 

Amazing, obviously my professor Louise Wilson was a great mentor to me. She is the reason it’s the best fashion course.

 

What is exciting about London now?

 

My new flat!

 

What do you love about Liberty?

 

Charbonnel et Walker Bucks Fizz truffles…

 

 

 

Exclusive to Liberty Michael Van Der Ham is in the house