A M S T E R DA M L U X U RY AMSTERDAM’S LEADING TR AVEL MAGAZINE
c u lt u r e , s h o p p i n g , h o s p i t a l i t y, g a s t r o n o m y, d e s i g n & a r c h i t e c t u r e
SIGHTSEEING
Modern Architecture DUTCH DESIGN
CITY LIFE
MUSEUMS
Designs We All Want!
Where the Fun is!
World Famous Masters
SHOPPING
From Luxury to Local
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Culinary Delights and Stylish Bars
amsterdam luxury — nº12 € 7,95 UK £ 7,95 US $ 9,95
EU
Welcome
to Amsterdam’s finest
shopping destination
De Bijenkorf offers a truly memorable shopping experience. Home to exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Dior, Hermès and Prada, the department store offers an unrivalled assortment of fashion, jewellery, leather goods and more. Non-EU customers can get an instant tax refund on all purchases, powered by Global Blue. De Bijenkorf is open seven days a week, including evenings.
De Bijenkorf带给您回味无穷的购物体验。该购物商场有路易威登、 卡地亚、迪奥、爱马仕和普拉达等品牌专卖店，提供无与伦比的时装、 珠宝、皮具和其它产品。 非欧盟区顾客的所有购物均可享受由Global Blue 环球蓝联提供的即时退税。De Bijenkorf每周七天营业，包括晚间。
Dam 1 (city centre) For more information and other store locations: deBijenkorf.nl/international
M AST ERS OF A RT tefaf.com Founded in 1988, tefaf Maastricht is widely considered the world’s leading art, antiques, and design trade fair. Every year, the finest art dealers and experts from around the world exhibit their collections here with offerings beyond compare. The next edition of tefaf Maastricht will take place 10 - 18 March, 2018, and will once again be a great source of inspiration for lovers and buyers of art everywhere.
Kim Simonsson, 2016 Left page: Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Attache Case, 1976
photos: royal coster diamonds
A M S T E R DA M DIAMOND EXPERIENCE Dive , into the secrets of the world s most precious gemstone Amsterdam Luxury magazine offers the Amsterdam Diamond Experience: a private diamond tour hosted by a certified diamond consultant at one of the leading diamond factories in Amsterdam. Find out how craftsmen cut and polish rough stones into beautiful diamonds. Ask all you want to know about the process of diamond cutting and select the best diamonds for any budget.
For inquiries: contact@amsterdamluxuryexperience.com Or have a glance at the other experiences we provide: www.amsterdamluxuryexperience.com
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Welcome to Amsterdam! I hope you will enjoy your stay in the dynamic city and that this edition of Amsterdam Luxury will help
you to make the most of it with the best of the best, the most exclusive spots, and hidden gems to suit every taste and preference. The feature article ‘Connection by Design’ allows you to connect to Dutch design at its finest. Read all about the extraordinary Dutch design stories and the places to visit to experience it for yourself. Amsterdam can satisfy everyone’s cultural appetite. The diversity of the Dutch culture is represented in the more than fifty museums in the city, one of which is the renowned Van Gogh Museum. This edition includes a fascinating q&a with its director, Axel Rüger. Additionally, we would like to introduce you to some of our favorite cultural, historical, and artistic gems. And, of course, Amsterdam offers a unique shopping experience. The feature ‘The City’s Finest Shopping’ is your guide to Amsterdam’s amsterdam luxury — nº12
most worthwhile and exclusive shopping hotspots. Finally, a trip to Amsterdam is incomplete without experiencing its vibrant wine, dine, and luxury accommodation scene. We are pleased to present you with our A-list, together with a noteworthy article on dining etiquette, and an interesting q&a with Thomas Vørding, a fashion photographer who has also started his own gin distillery. Take a moment to dive into everything that makes Amsterdam such a uniquely extraordinary place and then get on out there and relish the experience!
Emil Reen Publisher & Editor in Chief Amsterdam Luxury
photo: evenhauz photography
LIFE IN THE CITY
J E W E L R Y & WAT C H E S . V I S I T G A S S A N . C O M G AS S AN D i am on d s | GAS S AN D am S qu are | G AS S A N B outi que | G AS S A N S c h iph ol
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W ELCOME TO A M S T E R DA M Amsterdam enjoys a global reputation and attracts millions of visitors each year with its wide array of cultural attractions, warm welcome, and overall spirit of freedom. Even though the city is relatively small with just 853,000 residents, it has one of most diverse populations in the world, with people coming from at least 180 countries to settle among the Dutch. The city was built on the wealth obtained through the adventurous and extensive export trade developed by the Dutch from the 16th century. These riches gave the city the wealth to become a center of art so important that the city is now home to no fewer than 51 museums. The Rijksmuseum with masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age receives more than 2.2 million visitors a year, while the museum dedicated to modernist Vincent Van Gogh welcomes 2.1 million people. The experiences gained from centuries of religious struggles, warfare, colonization, and trade relations with the entire world have made Amsterdam the city that it is today: a place with a rich history filled with people who embrace the individuality and freedom of every person. Welcome to our city! amsterdam luxury — nº12
amsterdam the hague rotterdam antwerp oger.com
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CON TEN TS 27
32 Culture
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18 World-class Museums 20 The Exhibition Guide 27 Cathedral of Art 32 Vincent’s Fascinating Story 36 Amsterdam’s Canal Museums 39 The Experimental Dutch Golden Age
Shopping 42 The City’s Finest Shopping 44 Shopping Areas 47 Hidden Gems 50 Upscale Shopping 53 Our Selection 57 A Creative’s Guide 59 Talking Fashion 62 The Big Five 64 Time for Art amsterdam luxury — nº12
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TIME FOR A GIFT at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Welcome to the Schiphol Shopping Experience! Schiphol has a staggering range of items – from fashion to souvenirs, jewellery to chocolate. It’s more than just an airport: you have everything in one unique and extraordinary place. Keep your eyes peeled inside every shop for the most exclusive deals – and expect to be surprised and inspired every time you visit!
schiphol.nl/seebuyfly
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Hospitality & Gastronomy 66 Sensational Delights 68 Michelin-star Dining 71 Trendy Dining 74 Spectacular Nightlife 78 Talking Gin and Cocktails 80 Cosmopolitan Luxury 83 The Game of Life 86 Dining Etiquette 88 Boutique Hotels 91 Afternoon Delights
Design 94 Connection by Design 96 Unique Finds 99 Design with Character 102 3x Design that Shines 105 Extraordinary Reality 110 Sophisticated meets Free-Spirited
Architecture 112 Architectural Gems 114 Unique Façades 119 Canal House Gables 120 IJ–Lights 126 Museum Architecture
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COLOPHON publisher & editor-in-chief Emil Reen project & content manager Ferdy Veerman art direction & design Rob Giesendorf, Solar Initiative public relations Thom Goderie contributors Mo Juriaan Barends, Erik Boker, Veerle van den Brink, Raquel Remondo Gomez, Miguel Gori, Marjo Kranenborg, Anne-Marie van Leggelo, Nick Pluijmers, Benjamin Roberts, Pieter Roelofs, Axel Rüger, Bastiaan van Schaik, Adrie Smits, Edward van Vliet, Thomas Vørding and Catharine Winter.
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translations Textcase – Deventer, the Netherlands printing Mazeline B.V. – Oostzaan, the Netherlands find us online amsterdamluxurymagazine.com publishing house Amsterdam Luxury is published by Reen Media B.V. – Amsterdam, the Netherlands, reenmedia.com. Address correspondence to contact@reenmedia.com. editorial format Amsterdam Luxury is the leading travel magazine about Amsterdam featuring a stylish medley of luxury, arts and architecture available in Amsterdam, catering to the high-end cosmopolitan traveler. edition Issue 12, October 2017. The next issue will appear in April 2018. cover photos Sir Adam Hotel, Moooi, De Bijenkorf, Vincent van Gogh: Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, The Tailor. advertisement sales sales@reenmedia.com press press@reenmedia.com copyright Amsterdam Luxury is a concept published exclusively by Reen Media B.V. – Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While every possible effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this magazine, the publisher shall not be liable for errors or omissions or the consequences thereof. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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WO R L D CLASS MUSEUMS Culture is thriving in Amsterdam and offers plenty of options to satisfy anyone’s cultural appetite. Words: Erik Boker, Benjamin Roberts, Ferdy Veerman The diversity of Dutch culture truly is unparalleled, and reflected by more than fifty museums in Amsterdam that are showcasing the country’s rich and captivating past and present. Their collections vary from Golden Age paintings to Modern sculpture, contemporary photography and national phenomena. With Old Masters like Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer in the Rijksmuseum and a museum entirely dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, many cultural icons are permanently at the visitor’s disposal. Those world-class museums are complemented by several exceptionally characteristic museums in elegant canal-side mansions – such as the Foam Photography Museum, Museum Van Loon and the Willet Holthuysen town house – while numerous galleries present young, emerging artists in an international art scene. We’ve selected the most exceptional museums and exhibitions you don’t want to miss to savor Amsterdam’s art scene in all its unique glory! amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, 1887, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam amsterdam luxury — nº12
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THE E XHIBI T ION GU IDE Culture is thriving in Amsterdam. From first-class contemporary art to medieval treasures, cutting-edge photography to provocative street art, there is something everywhere you look to stimulate the visual senses. In this section we introduce some of our favorite places for discovering cultural, historical, and artistic gems, in a wide range of galleries and museums that showcase the creative sides of Amsterdam.
JOHAN MAELWAEL
Johan Maelwael, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 6 Oct 2017 – 7 Jan 2018
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the showpiece of the Museumplein, honors the works of the first Northern Netherlandish painter, Johan Maelwael, who served as a court painter in Nijmegen, Paris, and Dijon, and was considered one of the most successful Western European artists of the Middle Ages. Fifty medieval works in various media will be presented, together with his seminal piece “La Grande Pietà ronde” from the Louvre, which has not left Paris since 1962.
ACCESSORIES UNPACKED
Accessories are a Girl’s Best Friend, Tassenmuseum Hendrikje, 16 Sep 2017 – 28 Jan 2018
Tassenmuseum Hendrikje opens its doors to its new exhibition “Accessories are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Those with an interest in historical fashion will be delighted by this special collection of various accessories and their uses, stories, social status, and time, including umbrellas, hats, hair accessories, shawls, gloves, fans, shoes and stockings. The exhibition includes items usually stored in the Rijksmuseum’s depot, shown together with the Tassenmuseum’s own unique collection.
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S T. P E T E R S B U R G C O L L E C T I O N Dutch Masters from the Hermitage, Hermitage Amsterdam, 7 Oct 2017 – 27 May 2018
For the first time in 350 years, the world’s leading collection of Dutch Golden Age painting outside The Netherlands makes a remarkable homecoming. The Nieuwe Keizersgracht wing of the Hermitage Amsterdam displays the renowned St. Petersburg collection, with selected works offering a complete cross-section of the period. Not only Rembrandt, but also Ferdinand Bol, Gerard Dou, Govert Flinck, Frans Hals, Paulus Potter, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan Steen, and many others offer a Golden Age feast.
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T H E D U T C H I N PA R I S The Dutch in Paris 1789 – 1914, Van Gogh Museum, 13 Oct 2017 – 7 Jan 2018
Paris had one of its many unique moments in art history in the nineteenth century, drawing artists from across Europe to enjoy the camaraderie, collaboration, academies, salons, studios, and cafés that marked the French capital’s cultural life. The Van Gogh Museum is exhibiting “The Dutch in Paris 1789 – 1914,” highlighting the work of Dutch artists Van Spaendonck, Jongkind, Van Gogh, Van Dongen, and Mondriaan during this distinctive period of influence and collaboration with Monet, Degas, Signac, Pissaro, Cezanne, Braque, and Picasso. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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A POP-ART HERO
The Roy Lichtenstein Exhibition, Moco Museum, 3 Nov 2107– 31 May 2018
Moco Museum is the relatively new kid on the block in Museumplein, professing a dedication to showing the “rock stars” of contemporary art, and standing across the street from the grand majesty of the Rijksmuseum. In the 13,500 square feet of what was originally a stately private home, its latest star is Pop-Art master Roy Lichtenstein. The painter most known for parody and commercial critique in his adaptation of the comic book style made news this year when his iconic piece “Masterpiece” sold for $165 million.
BORGMANN COLLECTION
Jump into the Future – Art from the 90’s and 2000’s, Stedelijk Museum, 26 Nov 2017 – 8 Apr 2018
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the museum for contemporary art on the Museumplein, highlights the gift it received last year from German art collector Thomas Borgmann. A highly diverse collection of works created in the 1990s and early 2000s will feature artists beginning to working across disciplinary boundaries and experimenting in any number of media at once, defying categorization. Borgmann’s collection includes work by Wolfgang Tillmans, Matt Mullican, Cosima von Bonin, Lucy McKenzie, and many others. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Mirroring Life – Mondrians studio Paris, André Kertész, 1926
AFRICAN FASHION
Fashion Cities Africa, Tropenmuseum Amsterdam, 6 Oct 2017 – Jan 2019
Tropenmuseum Amsterdam, an ethnographic museum devoted to the colonial history and global historical influence of The Netherlands, brings together experts from Casablanca, Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and The Netherlands on the subject of fashion in Africa. “Fashion Cities Africa” explores the flourishing African fashion scenes, from urban streetwear to couture, local designers, fashion bloggers, stylists, and photographers. The show willexamine the inspiring roots of the personal tastes that often create remarkable modes of identity.
THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Foam – Photography Museum Amsterdam
Foam is the city’s beating heart for the photography enthusiast, centrally located in a 150-year-old modernized canal house on the Keizersgracht. Since 2001 when the first exhibition opened, Foam has grown to be an international beacon for photography, both mounting shows by the stars of contemporary photography world, but also having a commitment to showing the works of emerging talent. The museum has two or three exhibitions going at any one time and also publishes its international quarterly “Foam Magazine.” amsterdam luxury — nº12
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ICONIC TRUNKS Legendary Trunks – The Exhibition, Beurs van Berlage, 6 Dec 2017 – 18 Feb 2018
When it comes to the marriage of style, craftsmanship, and travel, no one can rival the masterful innovation of Louis Vuitton. Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam displays more than three hundred authentic Vuitton items, the oldest dating from the 1850s, in the world premier show “Legendary Trunks: The Exhibition.” Each trunk, suitcase, and briefcase tells a fascinating story of both adventure and production, some with legendary owners such as Hemingway and Franklin D. Roosevelt. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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3X GALLERIES VISUAL INVENTIVENESS
Ravestijn Gallery
Jasper Bode and Narda Van ’t Veer, after working in the field of photography for over 25 years on two continents, established The Ravestijn Gallery in 2012. Today the gallery hosts several exhibitions a year with a focus on showing ambitious international artists and works that explore new perspectives for photography in all its forms. While also exhibiting the traditional, the gallery looks for work that pushes boundaries, presenting works by such artists as Jean-Francois Lepage, Ruth van Beek, Darren Harvery-Regan, and Eva Stenram.
ART FROM THE STREETS
Cranio in collaboration with Cris Toala Olivares
Vroom&Varossieau
Vroom&Varossieau is a gallery specialized in street art and urban contemporary art. Located near Museumplein in OudZuid district, it is a unique space where the ground floor and basement of a mansion characteristic of the district were reconstructed into an airy, minimal space. Dedicated to urban art from around the world, they show internationally acclaimed artists as well as emerging artists, commissioned murals, and also do television productions. They have worked with such artists as Bansky, D*Face, Keith Haring, kaws, and humorous Dutch street poet Laser 3.14.
CONTEMPORARY PIECES
Grimm Gallery
On Frans Halsstraat in Amsterdam is grimm Gallery, a contemporary art space with an impressive roster of twenty-five international artists, from British artists Jess Flood-Paddock and Brian Griffiths, to Americans Matthew Day Jackson and Nick van Woert, and Amsterdammers Ger van Elk and Alex Dorody. A second space opened on the Keizersgracht in 2008 and changed to a different address on the same street in 2016, and just this year they opened a new space on the Bowery in New York City.
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photo: john lewis marshall
C AT H E D R A L OF A RT The Gallery of Honour, one of the most impressive architectural highlights in Amsterdam, is an extended hallway in Rijksmuseum Amsterdam directed towards a clear focal point: the Night Watch. But on your way to this iconic work, in the side alcoves, some other masterpieces are on view – all created by great masters of the seventeenth century. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Before that, many works in the Dutch national collection had been housed and exhibited in the Trippenhuis, a seventeenth-century patrician home once home to the Trip Brothers. In 1808, Louis Bonaparte, whose brother Napoleon had named King of the Netherlands, made the Trippenhuis the residence of the Dutch national collection after Amsterdam became the official cultural and governmental capital of the Netherlands. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many works of the collection had hung in Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, which was the residence of Dutch stadsholders during
the Dutch Golden Age. Between 1808 and 1885 the collection grew, and the Trippenhuis had become too small. The Rijksmuseum’s most recent renovation (2003-2013) restored the building to Cuypers’ original nineteenth-century design.
Gallery of Honour
One of the highlights of Cuypers’ cathedral of art restored to its original state was the Gallery of Honour, a corridor flanked by six alcoves featuring 48 masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Each alcove features one or more Dutch master painters, includ-
Each alcove features one or more Dutch master painters, including Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer to Jacob van Ruisdael amsterdam luxury — nº12
Right page, clockwise: Jan Steen, The Merry Family, 1668 Jan Asselijn, The Threatened Swan, c. 1650 Frans Hals, Merry Drinker, c. 1628-1630
ing Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer to Jacob van Ruisdael. In the alcove dedicated to Jan Steen, the visitor becomes overwhelmed with the wide range of the artist’s oeuvre from his endearing children in Merry Family (c. 1668), and Saint Nicolas Feast (c. 16651668) to his Self-Portrait (c. 1670), where the painter boldly stares back at the viewer. In the following alcove we find the works of Frans Hals, the painter from Haarlem whose coarser brushstrokes in The Merry Drinker (c. 1628), often give his paintings a sense of liveliness and animation, as can also be seen in his Portrait of a Young Couple (c. 1622).
Serenity
On the other side of the corridor, the visitor is immediately drawn to the tranquility of Johannes Vermeer’s Milk Maid
photo: john lewis marshall
In the late nineteenth century, the Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921) was commissioned to design a new national gallery to house the masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age. The architect, a devout Roman Catholic who specialized in cathedral design, did what he knew best. After nine years of construction (1876-1885), the new Rijksmuseum with its apse, transepts, and stained glass windows was nothing short of a neo-Gothic and Renaissance cathedral, albeit one dedicated to the arts.
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Clockwise: Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c. 1660 Johannes Vermeer, View of Houses in Delft, c. 1658 Jacob van Ruisdael, The Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede, c. 1668-1670 Right page: Rembrandt van Rijn, The Night Watch, 1642 amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Vermeer sometimes makes the viewer even feel like a voyeur (c. 1660) and View of Houses in Delft (c. 1658). The fine, photographic-like realism of the artist stands in sharp contrast to the broad strokes and almost impressionistic-like style of Frans Hals. Vermeer sometimes makes the viewer even feel like a voyeur. In The Woman Reading a Letter (c. 1663) we cannot help wonder if the woman in the painting has received news from her husband (or lover) away at sea. Across the aisle, the viewer is then struck by the threatening storm in Jacob van Ruisdael’s
Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede (c. 16681670). The dark, looming clouds on the horizon predict heavy rain and gale winds encroaching on the serenity of an old windmill on the riverbank. His View of Haarlem (c. 1650-c. 1682) radiates more mayhem, but this time in the coastal region near Haarlem where white cloth (usually the cloth for millstone collars) lies out in the late summer sun for bleaching. The dark clouds and pending storm mean workers will have to scurry to get their laundry in on time.
bly one of Rembrandt’s last pieces before he died in poverty in 1669. Vincent van Gogh was mesmerized by the tender embrace and hand of a husband on the breast of his expectant wife. In his visits to the museum, Van Gogh would sit for hours, as he noted in a letter to his brother: “I believe I can honestly say that I would sacrifice ten years of my life if I could sit in front of this painting for 14 days and live off of dry bread”.” Van Gogh believed the work “was an intimate painting that epitomized infinite sympathy”.”
Intimacy
After the Jewish Bride, the visitor is taken to the high altar of Cuypers’ cathedral, the gallery housing “The Night Watch”, the world’s most famous Dutch masterpiece, hanging in all its glory. No further introduction needed: just stand in awe. —
In the left-hand alcove just before entering the main room hangs Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Couple, also known as “The Jewish Bride” (c. 1665-1669). The work was probaamsterdam luxury — nº12
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VINCENT S FA S C I N A T I N G S T O RY Vincent van Gogh, 1853-1890, is considered one of the most famous artists of the 19th century, and rightfully so. Not only do his uniquely painted landscapes and portraits receive a lot of attention globally, his life story, including his struggles, is fascinating in itself. We spoke with Axel Rüger, director of the Van Gogh Museum, about the museum, the notorious heist and his growing admiration for Vincent van Gogh’s perseverance. Axel Rüger studied Art History at the Freie Universität in Berlin and then at Cambridge University, before receiving his PhD at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. After having worked as Curator of Dutch Paintings (1600-1800) at the National Gallery in London, he became the Van Gogh Museum’s Director in April 2006. Currently his favorite Van Gogh painting is the ‘Bridge in the Rain’ for its Japanese influences, but as he learns and understands more about Van Gogh’s life, this could change. And his other favorite museum in Amsterdam? Foam for photography, and Our Lord in the Attic, especially due to its unique history.
photo: daniël cohen
Vincent van Gogh’s life story is unprecedented and unique. What do you admire in Vincent van Gogh? My admiration for Vincent really grew when I started taking an in-depth look at his life, seeing that I’m actually specialized in 17th century Dutch art. His perseverance and the urgent desire to exercise the artistic profession in particular are worthy of admiration. He was not afraid to literally travel the distance in his quest to find the right path, and so he moved to different areas. Moreover, from the letters he wrote I can tell that he was an intellectual man; he reflected on life and its reasons. What characterizes the life of Vincent van Gogh? In the first place, that he was ever the outsider, the black sheep of the family. He had trouble finding his way in life, partly due to his dominant and stubborn personality. He made it very difficult for himself. At one point or another he would offend anyone he established a relationship with, and as a result he lived quite a lonely life. I appreciate his enormous perseverance, despite all the insecurities. He really wanted to break through, but just could not manage to, which caused growing frustration. However, he persevered and continued to paint with the necessary courage.
How many paintings did Van Gogh produce in total? 852 in total and an additional 1,300 drawings and prints. The Van Gogh Museum offers the largest collection with 200 paintings in its permanent collection. We owe this to the Van Gogh family, as our collection is a product of their collection. They knew that if the collection remained within the family, they would not have been able to pay the inheritance tax and the pieces of art would end up scattered around. Speaking of Van Gogh’s works – have all his works actually been found? Probably, seen that he has become very well-known over the years and his works have been extensively studied. As the knowledge centre on Vincent van Gogh we even know where most of his works are actually located. Of course, I can never say with 100% certainty that all works by Vincent van Gogh have been found, but the chance of having a Van Gogh lying around in your attic is really negligible.
Left page: Vincent van Gogh, Bridge in the Rain (after Hiroshige), 1887
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Left: Sunflowers, 1889 Middle: Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen, 1884 - 1885 Right: Self-Portait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe, 1889
THE EAR THE STOLEN PA I N T I N GS
What is so characteristic of his style of painting? His works exude energy due to the colours, but also due to his way of painting. He is known for his energetic brush strokes, and highlighting subjects that are well-known and familiar to everyone: everyday people, objects and surroundings. How do you recognize a Van Gogh? It is like a postcard written by your own mother, you can probably recognize her handwriting from thousands of others. The same goes for paintings. Experts who have extensively studied paintings by Van Gogh for years are able to identify the brush strokes after a while. An expert is therefore able to see whether a Van Gogh is real within 3 seconds. I would certainly not consider myself a Van Gogh expert; I started too late. In addition, much of the research into the techniques and materials he used can be consulted. Did Vincent van Gogh have a teacher? No, not necessarily. He can be considered a self-taught painter since he never received or finished any formal education. He really had no patience for this and he was too headstrong to have a teacher. His attempts at a formal education did not result in success, in part due to his personality. He did however spend some time at Fernand Cormon’s studio where he learned a few things. For example, he was introduced to a new generation of artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Emile Bernard at Fernand’s studio. This introduction showed as he transitioned from dark colors into lighter tones. What else inspired Van Gogh? Primarily the works of French artists from the middle of the 17th century. Realistic themes such as farmers, country life and laborers were the subject of some major
In 2016, after 14 years, via a tip in Naples, the Italian authorities finally knew where they were going to search for the in 2002 stolen paintings ‘View of the Sea at Scheveningen’ and ‘Congregation leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen’. The pieces of art were found in a house outside Naples belonging to a boss of a Camorra family. That’s where these paintings hung this whole time. They were stolen by a Dutchman, who subsequently sold them in Italy. On the one hand, seen the fragility of the paintings, it was a good thing they hadn’t been left lying around. One of the paintings does show some damage however. It remains bizarre that for 14 years people have been looking for these paintings while they were hanging in the same place all along. And luckily they were found in Europe and not in the Emirates or somewhere else; most likely they would have never been found in that case. However on the normal market they aren’t worth anything and on the black market they only go for a fraction of the price. Probably, having a painting like this one was just like having a trophy for the Camorra Family.
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Vincent had a psychological disorder and to this day we still don’t know exactly which disorder this was. He had shown unstable tendencies and these came to a head when he went to live in the ‘yellow house’ with Paul Gaugin at the Place Lamartine in Arles, France. Their different personalities caused increasing tension and this ended in an outburst. In a fit of mania and after threatening Paul Gaugin with a razor, Vincent cut off his own ear. Later, Van Gogh committed himself to the asylum of Saint-Remy to protect himself. During his manic fits he would eat oil paint, for example. However, he recovered and he created many beautiful art pieces, no less than 150 paintings in 1 year’s time. He also knew healthy, stable periods, but he wasn’t able to work while those fits occurred because then he wasn’t able to function normally. He did eventually leave the asylum and headed north, to Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris. Unfortunately, his illness and the uncertainty about the future got the best of him, and he ended up shooting himself in the chest with a pistol in a cornfield in Auvers-sur-Oise. He later died from his wound.
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Clockwise: The Yellow House (The Street), 1888 Irises, 1890 Wheatfield with Crows, 1890 All of these paintings except ‘Self-Portait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe’ are in the collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
paintings. However, when he adopted this it was already passé. After arriving in Paris he had to start painting something else in order to receive recognition. Vincent’s brother, Theo, was an art dealer with Goupil and later with Boussod, Valadon & Cie on boulevard Montmartre in Paris. He introduced Vincent to the colorful works of at the time modern artists such as Claude Monet. He was also a big fan of Japanese prints which inspired him in a later period.
Besides the famous landscapes he also painted portraits. What can you tell us about this? The portraits he painted were often portraits of very ordinary people and workers, instead of important people such as politicians, which was normal at the time. That’s how painters earned a living. He deliberately chose this, and was able to do so because he received financial support from his brother Theo, who had great confidence in him.
And what about the different surroundings he lived in? He was indeed often inspired by his surroundings, as he never painted from imagination. He only painted the views he saw in front of him. While living in Paris he often painted the city, in the south of France he focused on the landscapes. The landscapes in Southern France were such an inspiration to him that he continued painting them.
In his time there was little appreciation for his works. Did he sell some works at the time? Yes, I cannot say exactly how many works Van Gogh sold in his lifetime, but some in any case. For example, he sold one to a paint and art dealer in Paris and his brother Theo was able to sell one to a gallery in London. Vincent did trade works with other artists on a regular basis, and gave away many of his pieces of art. —
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A M S T E R DA M S CANAL MUSEUMS In 1590 when Amsterdam’s magistrates discussed a plan to expand the city with an elaborate ring of canals, their main concern was not aesthetics. Their greatest headache was financing such a costly endeavor. Luckily they stood on the right side of history. Four hundred years later, the results of their plan were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Museum Van Loon
The former Church of Our Lord in the Attic is another museum that emphasizes Amsterdam’s history of tolerance. From the outside, this seventeenth century home looks like its neighbors. Once inside, the first floor still seems like an ordinary home with its narrow hallways and tiny staircases. However, after we climb to the attic on the back stairs, we enter into a full-fledged, if tiny, Roman Catholic church, hidden away from public view. Although Catholicism was still officially prohibited in the seventeenth century, authorities turned a blind eye to Roman Catholics who wished to practice their faith in private. amsterdam luxury — nº12
photo museum van loon: maarten brinkgreve photos foam: christian van der kooy photo museum of the canals: thijs wolzak
With more than 4.8 million boat tour tickets sold annually, Amsterdam’s canals are the city’s number one tourist attraction. Today, the canals are like an open-air museum themselves, but they also pass by seven museums, ranging from historical sites to galleries of photography like foam and Huis Marseille. The latest addition is the Museum of the Canals which opened in 2013 and is housed in the eighteenth-century patrician home of banker Jan Willink. With a diversity of audio and visual materials, the museum highlights the rich history of Amsterdam’s ring of canals. In the first room, Amsterdam’s city fathers are seated at a table in a sixteenth-century setting and the visitor hears them argue about the plan and its exorbitant building costs. In the next room our ears are flooded with the noise of hammers and saws from a building site as workers build houses along the canals. In the following room, we are standing at the bottom of a canal while workers diligently remove water with buckets to build the quays. In another room, we’re suddenly catapulted four hundred years forward and find ourselves on a boat with sparsely clad men dancing to blaring disco music. We’ve made it to the early twenty-first century and we’re on a Gay Pride boat, sailing down the Prinsengracht with hordes of spectators along the sides. The room tells of the city’s long history of tolerance.
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Foam
Foam
Huis Marseille
Museum of the Canals
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Museum Willet Holthuysen
To get a feeling of Amsterdam’s grandeur along the canals, a visit to the Willet-Holthuysen House or Museum van Loon is an absolute must. These town houses, built in the Dutch Golden Age, were turned into two magnificent museums where you’ll find a large collection of art, fine furniture, precious silver and porcelain on display. Admirers of Louis xiv and Louis xv will assuredly enjoy a visit. Further down on the Herengracht 573 is the Museum of Bags and Purses. The museum is the largest of its kind in the world with its collection of more than 5,000 handbags and purses. The museum is housed in the former residence of Cornelis de Graeff, a member of one of the most powerful families in the Dutch Republic of the seventeenth century. Besides the museum’s elaborate interior, its collection highlights five hundred years of handbags, including Madonna’s Versace purse and Margaret Thatcher’s iconic grey handbag, one that she reportedly used to hit someone over the head with. With more than 85,000 visitors a year, the Museum of Bags and Purses is considered a gem among Amsterdam’s 50 museums. — amsterdam luxury — nº12
Museum of Bags and Purses
photo our lord at the attic: arjan bronkhorst
Our Lord at the Attic
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Nicolaes Lauwers, Smoking and Drinking Men in a Lodge, 1619-1652
T H E E X PE R I M E N TA L D U T C H G O L D E N AG E Most visitors walking down Amsterdam’s Damrak after arriving at the central train station are likely to become overwhelmed by the sight of sex shops and the whiff of marijuana. Since the late 1960s, Amsterdam has become infamous around the world for its legalized prostitution and tolerance of drug use. For the last forty years, the city has earned the title of a modern-day “Sodom and Gomorrah.” Amsterdam’s toleration stems from a long history, one that began already in the seventeenth century when the Dutch fought for their independence from Spain. After studying seventeenth-century diaries and medical treatises can be concluded that Dutch students in the 1620s and 1630s experimented with drugs already in the Dutch Golden Age. At that time nicotine
from tobacco was considered a drug and the young people of the early seventeenth century were the first generation in history to start smoking recreationally. Before that, only sailors and soldiers had smoked tobacco and smoking was considered a habit of social lowlifes. Around 1620, that all changed when students at the University of Leiden experimented with tobacco as a possible cure or prevention for the recurring smallpox epidemics that plagued the country throughout the century. Unfortunately, smoking tobacco did not save any lives, but it did give students amsterdam luxury — nº12
a nicotine high, one which kept them wanting more. While in 1620 there were only a hand full of students that smoked, thirty years later in 1650, smoking had become a national pastime among all social classes of Dutch society. Travelers visiting often complained that the country stank like the tobacco.
Drugs
Tobacco in the seventeenth century was still a luxury product and needed to be imported from Virginia and the Caribbean. Not
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Left: Adriaen Brouwer, The Smokers, c. 1636, courtesy of the Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Right: Brothel Scene, Wallerant Vaillant, 1658-1677
everybody could afford tobacco. Bohemians avant la lettre like Flemish-born painter Adriaen Brouwer (1606-1638) who worked in Amsterdam and Haarlem were fascinated with smokers. He depicted many of them, usually situated in tavern scenes as social outcasts that were also drinking and play cards. For painters, the act of smoking often symbolized two of the five senses (taste and smell). In the painting The Smokers (c. 1636), which hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Brouwer portrayed himself wide-eyed and playfully blowing circles of smoke. In the painting, his fellow characters are seated around a table and holding pipes in their hands. Roberts points out, “their eyes are glazed over and they are staring at the ceiling, as if they were in a deep trance. One of Brouwer’s biographers sug-
gests that Brouwer’s smokers aren’t puffing on a pipe, they’re sucking on it, and most likely it was marijuana, which was cheaper and easier to come than tobacco.”
Metrosexual
But smoking was not the only vice that defined Dutch youth culture during the 1620s and 1630s. Because of the wealth generated by trade, the economy was booming which meant that not only the rich had disposable incomes for luxury goods. In the Dutch Republic there was also a growing middle class who indulged their adolescent children with pocket money. From this new affluence emerged a distinctive youth culture. The new generation rebelled against their fathers who wore their dark clothing, and started amsterdam luxury — nº12
wearing bright yellow and red-colored outfits, accessorized with ribbons, silk stockings, and high-heeled shoes. Moreover, they let their hair grow shoulder length, which defied traditional codes of masculinity. The generational conflict is evident in these two portraits of father and son, painted the same year by Bartholomeus van der Helst. The artist portrayed the father, Andries Bicker
“Their eyes are glazed over and they are staring at the ceiling, as if they were in a deep trance”
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Left: Bartholomeus van der Helst, Gerard Andriesz Bicker, c. 1642, courtesy of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Right: Bartholomeus van der Helst, Andries Bicker, c. 1642, courtesy of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
with short hair and wearing a black overcoat and millstone collar, which had been fashionable around 1600. The son, Gerard Andriesz Bicker, who was 22-years of age at the time, had long hair, and wore a salmon-colored waistcoat, and flat collar, which was the new style. Roberts laughs, “the metrosexual man of the 1990s was nothing in comparison to these youngsters with their flamboyant outfits, long hair, and facial make-up (that was sometimes used to conceal childhood pock-marks).”
Sex
According to the recently published book Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Dutch Golden Age, moderation in sex was one of the most important hurdles young men had
to master. Just like teenagers and adolescents today who have to get a grip on their budding sexuality, in the Dutch Golden Age youngsters had to learn how to temper their carnal urges. In the seventeenth century sexual restrictions were more confined but temptation nevertheless lurked on every street corner. Amsterdam’s harbor area was teeming with prostitutes, and in Leiden, the neighborhoods adjacent to the city’s university were popular places where hookers sought students as customers. Venereal diseases such as syphilis were rampant, especially among soldiers, sailors, and students. Before a reliable cure for most venereal diseases was found in the nineteenth century, syphilis was treated with oral doses of mercury, which usually proved to be lethal. Those who suffered from syphilis were physically recognizable by their extreme hair loss, missing many teeth, and perforated noses. The fear of contracting syphilis in the seventeenth century was comparable to the aids virus of the 1980s, and moralists avoided the subject of sex all together and only advised young people to wait until marriage to have sex. Roberts adds, “that amsterdam luxury — nº12
“The metrosexual man of the 1990s was nothing in comparison to these youngsters with their flamboyant outfits, long hair, and facial make-up” was easier said then done because there was an almost ten-year gap between the age of sexual ripeness and marriage. Young men often sought other outlets like masturbation or homosexuality, which society condemned.” Most of the time that happened at night while they were away from home. He adds, “nights in the early seventeenth century were extremely dark because there was no street-lighting, whatever happened in the night, stayed in the night.” — Benjamin B. Roberts, Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Dutch Golden Age (Amsterdam University Press, 2017).
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Hermès amsterdam luxury — nº12
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THE CIT Y’S FINEST SHOPPING Amsterdam has a worldwide reputation for its excellent shopping experience. This is not just due to the sheer quantity of shops but, more importantly, to the diversity of shops available, the many groundbreaking local designers, and the characteristic settings. Words: Veerle van den Brink, Raquel Remondo Gomez, Catharine Winter Leading national and international luxury brands can be found at the P.C. Hooftstraat, which has been an exclusive shopping destination for decades. If you’re into quaint vintage shops and cozy lunchrooms, we wholeheartedly recommend the genuine charm of the Nine Streets shopping area. An eclectic mix of shops can also be found on the Utrechtsestraat, which starts at the Rembrandtplein and crosses Amsterdam’s famous canals. On the edge of Dam Square, you will find the glorious department store De Bijenkorf, with its selection of premium quality housewares, designer shoes, the latest fashion trends and stylish shop-inshops. With something to suit every taste, we’ve pulled together your must-visit shopping guide. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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SHOPPING A R E AS From luxurious to local: it’s with great pleasure that we tell you our best-kept shopping secrets in Amsterdam. Here you’ll find everything from the most inspiring areas to the newest hotspots and the must-visit classics. Find your all-time fashion favorites and the ultimate holiday souvenirs and gifts in the fashion capital of the Netherlands.
SHOPPING PAR ADISE
De Bijenkorf
When visiting Dam Square, look for the grand historical building with the yellow flags and the artistically designed shop windows. Here is the home of the largest premium department store in the Netherlands: De Bijenkorf. This ultimate shopping paradise offers 21,000 m² full of luxuriously-styled fashion, designer, beauty and luxury departments. We can’t get enough of the marble interior and designer shop-in-shops featuring the world’s most exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Gucci.
UPPER EXTRAVAGANZA
Cornelis Schuytstraat
In walking distance from the Museum Quarter and the beautiful Vondelpark, you’ll find the Cornelis Schuytstraat, situated in Amsterdam’s southern district. We frequently join the upper class for a cup of coffee in the lively mix of cozy restaurants, beautiful trees and the amazing selection of exclusive fashion stores, small designer boutiques and trendy shops. Be sure to visit this charming street where you just might spot a celebrity or some extravagant cars.
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HIGH-CLASS LUXURY
P.C. Hooftstraat
The ‘P.C.’ – short for Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat – is Amsterdam’s luxury lane, a shopping paradise with the most exclusive brands all together in a stylish, classy ambiance. Shop for haute couture at Prada and Gucci, and splurge on a pair of glitzy, handmade shoes to match at Jimmy Choo. Do you need some time to relax? We’d recommend enjoying a perfect latte macchiato at Blushing Coffee&Tea where you can spot Dutch celebrities along with Amsterdam’s happy few.
ELEGANT QUIRKINESS
The Nine Streets
A stone’s throw from Amsterdam’s Royal Palace on Dam Square is set of nine streets that poetically blend 17th-century dynamics with sophisticated modern commerce. Cobble-stoned, boutique-lined, and effortlessly stylish, these streets are packed with small, unique shops. To us it’s truly a place that you must see to believe, the Nine Streets are perfect for a peaceful architectural walk in the heart of the city, finding trinkets for younger visitors, or even a bit of window-shopping. X Bank
ECLECTIC DELIGHT
Utrechtsestraat
Utrechtsestraat, around the corner from Rembrandtplein, has been a shopping street for over a hundred years. Just strolling around either location, looking at four hundred years of architectural styles, is an exciting adventure in itself. Once inside the buildings you can delight in many of life’s stylish pleasures: from designer and vintage clothing to handmade shoes and bags. And when you’re done taking it all in, the fun continues in the abundance of excellent bars and restaurants.
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Haarlemmerbuurt
VILL AGE FEEL In the Haarlemmerstraat, voted ‘most fun shopping street in the Netherlands’, you’ll find the coolest little boutiques and coziest modern cafes. Walk from the Singel into the Haarlemmerstraat and continue into the Haarlemmerdijk: busy with cars, bicycles and pedestrians, we locals consider the Haarlemmerbuurt area as a place to discover that small village feel. Admire the view (and beautiful sunsets) at the Eenhoornsluis and make a little detour south to walk along the gorgeous Brouwersgracht canal. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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HIDDEN GEMS Shopping in Amsterdam really comes to life in the Nine Streets area. The mix of cozy streets, must-visit shops and beautiful canals make for a perfect shopping spree. We personally selected six of our favorite hotspots that feature items from fashion to books to design, which you’ll definitely want to visit.
BACK IN TIME
Amsterdam Vintage Watches
When it comes to exclusive vintage timepieces and the restoration or maintenance of your valuable watches, Amsterdam Vintage Watches is a worldwide favorite among connoisseurs and collectors. Since 1987, the family has been conducting their business in a historical building on the Singel that is the perfect architectural match for their very finest vintage watches from makers like Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Breitling. We know watch lovers will unquestionably enjoy the intimate antique interior, the vintage timepieces in excellent condition and the various lifestyle products.
DENIM ATELIER
Denham the Jeanmaker
Founded in Amsterdam by English jeanmaker Jason Denham, Denham the Jeanmaker is the go-to brand for premium quality denim. We love a good pair of jeans; they’re perfect for cycling and for the Dutch weather. Visiting the Denham stores feels like entering a denim atelier full of unique details, from recycled and reclaimed furnishings to iconic scissor art. The stores on the Runstraat (women) and Prinsensgracht (men) offer a full range of collections.
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REFRESHING FASHION
Essentiel Antwerp
If you are looking for refreshing, luxurious and accessible fashion: Essentiel Antwerp is the perfect choice. The international Belgian fashion brand is renowned for its graphic and floral prints and trendy mixes of color for both men and women. Shopping in their intimate store in the Hartenstraat immediately feels like home to us. Enjoy the custom-tailored service and get inspired by the collection’s unexpected color palettes and perfectly displayed compositions.
CREATIVE DESIGN
X Bank
Just one street behind busy Dam Square, the unique X Bank concept store in the Spuistraat offers a 700 m² Dutch design shopping experience and meeting point for cutting edge fashion, design and art. Sharing its beautiful, monumental building with the W Hotel Amsterdam, a spa and a small bar and lounge, X Bank brings in a dimension with the feel of a luxurious resort getaway. We love the inspiration we get from the art gallery and creative space on the ground flour.
SCANDINAVIAN SIMPLICITY
Samsøe & Samsøe
Match Copenhagen street style with the typical Scandinavian spirit and you get the much-admired international fashion house Samsøe & Samsøe. Their store, based in the cozy Wolvenstraat, has a beautiful Scandinavian interior and focuses on contemporary clothes, footwear and accessories for men and women. We like to come here for the Scandinavian simplicity: timeless, functional and sophisticated designs that can easily dress you up from week to weekend.
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Mendo
B O O K C A N DY In the lovely Berenstraat we always make sure to visit Mendo: a unique bookstore made of… Books! The walls are built of thousands of black Mendo books, creating an intimate setting full of book candy. Book aficionados will be satisfied with the broad selection in the fashion, photography, interior and lifestyle collection and the unique limited editions. This store can only leave you inspired – and probably with a book or two in your shopping bag. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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U PSCA L E SHOPPING The P.C. Hooftstraat is undoubtedly the most luxurious shopping street in the Netherlands. Only the most exclusive brands with their unwavering commitment to excellence can be found here. The contrast between the historic buildings and the designer shops results in the intimate yet innovative setting that is characteristic of Amsterdam.
MULTI-BR AND SOPHISTICATION
Gassan Boutique
This family-run, stylish boutique with international appeal features exclusively composed collections presented in tastefully chosen furnishings for an intimate setting. With its sophisticated display for each piece of jewelry or watch, the innovative boutique carries magnificent collections created by, for example, Choices by DL and Gassan Fine Jewelry. International collections by leading names in jewelry like Utopia, as well as collections by prestigious watchmakers such as Audemars Piguet and Longines are also well represented.
SUPERIOR MENSWEAR
Oger
The largest luxury store in the P.C. Hooftstraat, it comprises no less than four departments: Dressed for Success, Informal, Atelier Italia, and The Boardroom. In a classic as well as sophisticated setting, the skilled sales assistants go that extra mile to create tailor-made looks for each customer. Oger not only designs and manufactures its own menswear, but also carries over 50 leading Italian brands such as Canali, Corneliani, and Moncler.
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INTERGALACTIC EXTRAVAGANZA
Chanel
Behind a spectacular facade made entirely of glass, the collection is revealed in a temporary boutique. This season, Karl Lagerfeld projects the brand into space, with representations of Saturn’s rings, eclipse motifs and astronaut prints. Colors are electric blue and purple, and fabrics such as bubbled vinyl imitate the surface of unexplored planets. Sequins and iridescent thread as well as crystal embroidery shimmer like the constellations, while a rocket-shaped minaudière is the essential finishing touch.
P A R I S I A N COUTURE
Dior
photo chanel boutique: bart van flijmen
This exclusive boutique exudes Parisian luxury at its finest. In a distinctly refined atmosphere the collection is presented with its parade of blue in all its nuances. Bold and daring, the color blue is rich in symbolism and meaning. It lays bare the contrasts between the work-wear spirit of the stiff, slouchy denim, and the nobility of royal blue velvet. The feminine nature of Dior is represented in the tulle bustier dresses.
LUXURY EXCELLENCE
Hermès
With their bold and artistic designs, high-quality materials and unmatched attention to detail, the products are almost entirely made in France by hand in middle-sized workshops (“Ateliers Hermès”) with an emphasis on quality manufacturing. The exclusive Amsterdam shop features the latest collections from the luxury Parisian brand’s apparel, as well as their world-famous handbags and silk scarves along with other accessories. Delicate sophistication and elegance is tangible throughout the shop.
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Louis Vuitton
U R B A N PA N AC H E With its classy interior design and authentic wooden façade, the Louis Vuitton corner boutique in the P.C. is the embodiment of the brand. Discover their iconic monogrammed bags and authentic accessories in classic as well as innovative designs. The collection presents deluxe options for city living, with highly-polished leather as well as crackled leather for a worn look. We identified a casual sense of chic for relaxed urban looks, yet always with that exquisite attention to detail. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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OU R SEL ECT ION Hopefully you’ve left some space in your suitcase when you’re on your way to visit Amsterdam. Dazzling diamonds and exotically crafted shoes are only a small piece of what the capital has to offer. We’ve selected our favorite shops and products in Amsterdam just for you: all excellent options on their own.
SHINING STARS
Starring Amsterdam by Mendo
In the 1960s and 1970s, Amsterdam was alive and buzzing like it had never been before. Encompassing a wide range of previously unpublished images of John Lennon, Martin Luther King and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as Dutch celebrities like Johan Cruyff and members of the Royal family, the book Starring Amsterdam offers a unique photographic experience of Amsterdam in this unprecedented time. Featuring stunning black-and-white photographs, this book will definitely make the perfect complement for any coffee table.
DIAMONDS GALORE
Gassan Diamonds and Royal Coster Diamonds
Accommodating quite a number of diamond polishers and retailers — think Gassan Diamonds and Coster Diamonds — Amsterdam remains one of the main diamond cities in the world. Ever since the Golden Age, a time of growth and economic prosperity when Amsterdam appealed specifically to Jewish diamond-traders, the city has flourished as one of Europe’s leading diamond cities. By all means, Amsterdam has every right to be called the City of Diamonds.
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OH AMSTERDAM
Eau d’Amsterdam
The unique creations of Eau d’Amsterdam are perfect if you want to take the scent created by the over 75,000 elm trees in the historical center of Amsterdam back to your hometown. As the creative duo Saskia Hoogendoorn and Lieuwe Wijnands wanted to create an ode to the city’s signature tree, they’ve captured this natural delight in a perfume. Also available as a scented candle, these unique creations are perfect for everybody who loves Amsterdam and can’t get enough of springtime.
KIDDY LUXURY
Pili Carrera
Now represented in over 53 mono-brand stores, Spanish brand Pili Carrera has dominated the children’s and newborn’s fashion market ever since its foundation in 1963. The brand offers everything we need for our little ones to be comfortable during every step they take. So it probably comes as no surprise that Pili Carrera is one of the favorite brands of the Dutch Royal House: the Dutch princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariana are frequently spotted in the finest luxury creations from this brand.
LUSCIOUS LESMAN
Jacob Lesman
Spending a whole week working on only one pair of men’s shoes, Jacob Lesman guarantees his customers both quality and authenticity. Each pair of men’s shoes in his collection is unique and authentically made in Amsterdam. The use of exotic leathers for the shoe itself and luxurious materials like satinwood, walnut and horn for the heel, are Lesman’s signature. Located in hip and happening Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, this store is the culmination of pure, handmade craftsmanship.
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The Pelican Studio
MIAMI FEELINGS Inspired by Miami, The Pelican Studio offers clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, perfumes and beauty products from a variety of European fashion brands, all set within an inspiring, minimal and colorful interior. Though it’s hidden in one of Amsterdam’s less fashion-dominated streets, the store’s unique and constantly varying collections, along with the good coffee, make for an exciting experience. Don’t forget to stop in at their additional pop-up store: here you might run into the work of Amsterdam’s future super designer. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Dsquared2
BOUTIQUE EXTR A VAGA N Z A Founders of luxury designer brand Dsquared2, twin brothers Dean and Dan, are debuting in the Netherlands. Their new boutique, opening on the luxury shopping street P.C. Hooftstraat, is like an artistic and architectural treasure chest. They offer both menswear, including Italian tailored suits, and womenswear, think cocktail dresses and evening gowns. Spread out over three floors and 216 square meters, the store makes a powerful and appealing visual statement. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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A , C R E AT I V E S GU IDE With his great interest in fashion and an eagerness to share his outstanding creativity with the rest of the world, Bastiaan van Schaik decided to start working in the industry in 1995. Since then, he has styled many Dutch celebrities, worked as a blogger, and was a part of the jury on Holland’s Next Top Model.
photo: ramon heinhuis
Currently, this creative local is spending his days as Deputy Chief Editor for Libelle TV, the online channel of the Netherlands’ best-selling women’s magazine. Despite his busy agenda, Bastiaan found some time to share his favorite places in Amsterdam with us, which is great because it’s locals who really know best what’s hot and happening in town! Why I love Amsterdam so much. To me, Amsterdam is the most relaxed and open-minded city in the world. The freedom to be your authentic self in this city is absolutely liberating. 9 am in Amsterdam is the perfect time for. This would be the perfect time to have a coffee on a sunny day to see the city slowly
waking up. I love to do this at one of the many cozy places along one of the canals. 10 pm in Amsterdam is the perfect time for. On a night out, this is the perfect time to have a good glass of wine or something stronger at the Tunes hotel bar in the Conservatorium Hotel. Great, good-looking crowd doing some wicked moves to the cool tunes of the resident dj. Best places for a relaxing stroll. Anywhere along the canals is a nice place for a stroll, winter or summer. It’s also nice to take the ferry to the northern part of the city and to then walk along the IJ River to view the city from a different angle and see the rapidly changing new developments on the north shore. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Concrete
Favorite shopping area in town. My favorite shopping area is on knsm island to the east of the city, which is home to the best furniture store in town: Pols Potten. You’ll also find a nice Sissy Boy store there for a great breakfast or lunch as a break from shopping for quirky interior stuff and nice classic clothes with a twist. Top 3 favorite men’s stores. 1. Four (P.C. Hooftstraat) – full of edgy and young designs for the lover of design with a modern, yet cosmopolitan attitude. 2. X Bank –this beautiful boutique located in the W Hotel only offers pieces by Dutch designers. 3. Droog Shop (Staalstraat) – definitely the place to find cutting-edge and forward-looking new design classics. Top 3 favorite woman’s stores. 1. The luxury department at the de Bijenkorf department store – one stop shopping for all your favorite designer must haves. 2. Fabienne Chapot – eclectic, young, and full of energy for that one-of-a-kind item. 3. Loes Vrij – for those special cosmopolitan handbags with a local Amsterdam feeling. These shops are a true mecca for handbag lovers. 1. Gucci – Need I say more? The hottest bags in the world at the moment. 2. Prada – again Italian. Always stylish with a practical edge. 3. The ground floor at De Bijenkorf – bags, bags, bags!
Pols Potten
Fabienne Chapot X Bank
Droog Design
Favorite Dutch fashion designer(s). My favorite Dutch fashion designer at the moment is Mattijs van Bergen. All his designs are beautiful and sustainable! Where to score the perfect gift. The perfect gift to bring home you will score on the flower market in the city center. A tulip bulb is always a great gift to bring home and will extend your fun memories of the most beautiful city in the world. These shops are a true mecca for sneaker lovers. 1. Concrete – for all your fashion forward sneakers. 2. The men sneaker department on the first floor in De Bijenkorf – classics with an edge. — amsterdam luxury — nº12
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T A L K I N G FA S H I O N WITH MARJO KRANENBORG
Fashion had put Marjo Kranenborg under its spell from an early age. As soon as Marjo understood what she could do with a sewing machine, she started creating her own outfits, knowing that there was nothing she would rather do than make fashion. She had become convinced of fashion’s power to express one’s personality and style. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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How did you get involved in fashion? While attending Academy Charles Montaigne (now the amfi/Amsterdam Fashion Institute), I became fascinated with the work of famous stylists and editors like Diana Freeland, Grace Coddington, and our own Dutch Frans Ankoné. They were creating “new worlds and images” through the designs and creations of others. When I was offered the assistant fashion editor position under Frans Ankoné at the Dutch fashion magazine Avenue, that was the beginning of my own career as a stylist and image-maker. And how did you become a personal shopper for de Bijenkorf? Many years later, after having worked for a wide variety of local and international magazines, brands, retailers and private clients, I was introduced to de Bijenkorf by my life-long friend Ronald van der Kemp, whose collection rvdk is sold in the Netherlands exclusively at our
Amsterdam store. De Bijenkorf, at the time, had just introduced personal shopping as part of its premium services, focusing on offering an intimate, personal, inspiring, and highly service-focused experience. This was a dream come true, allowing me to bring togetherall of my experience, skills, and love and interest in people and fashion for the most established, respected, and luxurious department store in the Benelux region. What makes de Bijenkorf the most luxurious department store in the Benelux? De Bijenkorf, with a history of well over 145 years, is known for its wide selection of the world’s finest luxury brands and collections. For some of these, we are the exclusive dealer in the Netherlands. Collections like Self Portrait, Alexa Chung, Sies Marjan and rvdk for women; Drake’s shirts and Dior for men; Loewe luxury bags for women and mcm for men. Also champagnes like Bottega White amsterdam luxury — nº12
Gold and Armand de Brignac 30 liter, Midas Brut Gold and Rosé champagne which we offer during the festive season. And currently – what characterizes this season’s collection at de Bijenkorf? For this season, we all are taken by the wide variety of warm colors and wanna-touch fabrics! All of the collections, clothing, shoes, and also accessories like bags, feature rich colors in velvet, fun furs, and soft knits. Comfortable, casual, or outspoken, we can all enjoy the luxury of beautiful fabrics, fits, and styles. The entire store and our wellknown window displays offer plenty of inspiration for a world of trends and tastes! How do you keep up with all the latest trends in fashion? To stay updated I read all the important fashion magazines from back to front, follow the national and international influencers on channels like
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“From classic to contemporary, casual to evening-dress to a wardrobe update; any wish will be fulfilled with dedication and knowledge of the total brand portfolio” Instagram and blogs, visit international cities, and always keep an eye out for who’s wearing what to the international fashion shows, the Oscars, and other grand events. By working closely with the buying team, I am kept up-to-date with what is expected to arrive in our store so that I can inform and advise my guests before anyone else has seen the items on the floor. So what exactly do you do as a personal shopper for de Bijenkorf? As a personal shopper, I work with men and women in our private lounge overlooking the historical and always lively Dam Square. I offer a personal and made-to-measure experience, based on the guests’ needs and wishes. From classic to contemporary, casual to evening-dress to a wardrobe update; any wish will be fulfilled with dedication and knowledge of the total brand portfolio. A concierge from a neighbouring 5* hotel once described me as the
concierge at de Bijenkorf, which confirmed what I like to do best: understand and facilitate the guests’ interest and needs and to make sure that they return home smiling with exactly what they were looking for, even if they didn’t know it when they came in. How do you get to know the guests’ style? Each appointment starts with a few questions like their personal preferences for brands and colors, the specific occasion, and the guests’ sizes. With this information I get an insight into the guests’ personal style after which I will prepare a bespoke selection from all of our collections and the latest trends from high-end designers to contemporary to classic. I then present these to the guest in our private lounge. I always like to give them some gentle surprises and invite them to take a look at new items, brands, and trends that they might not have tried before, since many people tend to stick with brands and colors amsterdam luxury — nº12
that they feel familiar with. How rewarding it is to see them bloom when they see and realize that fashion can enhance and strengthen their personality. And what about the basics, items that everybody needs in their wardrobe? With my regularly returning guests, I often build the base for their wardrobes based on investing in enduring, yet stylish key pieces. These pieces will be their reliable friend for a few seasons to come: a tailored suit, a great pair of jeans, and the classic trench coat or formal overcoat for men; and the perfect fitted pencil skirt and trousers, a summer- and winter coat at knee length, a day- and evening dress, and the perfect-fitting lingerie for women. Then they can be playful when refreshing their basic wardrobe with seasonal or trendy items and accessories that further enhance their personal touch and style! —
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THE BIG FIVE OF AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL
The Big Five was a concept once touted by hunters of big game who sought after trophies from any one of these five animals. Thankfully, though, times have changed with the focus now on conservation and habitat protection. Instead, how about scoring some trophies of your own at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for the Far East with these five top brands selected just for you. 1. H E R M È S Hermès – the king of the jungle. Artistic designs, a unique approach to materials and an unrivalled eye for detail: In Hermès workshops, fashion is raised to an art form. Each of the splendid handcrafted products from this legendary French fashion house is a collector’s item guaranteed to steal the show. Imagine scarves with rich prints, made of the finest fabrics, belts and shoes made of the softest leather, and of course the world famous bags
2. E S T É E L A U D E R Estée Lauder is the flagship brand of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Founded by Estée Lauder, one of the world’s first female entrepreneurs, the brand today continues her legacy of creating the most innovative, sophisticated, high-performance fragrances, skincare and makeup products – all infused with a deep understanding of women’s needs and desires. Keep an eye out for our number 2 in all Perfumes & Cosmetics shops at Schiphol.
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3. B U R B E R R Y Step into Schiphol’s luxury world of British high fashion at the Burberry store. Their signature checkered woolen scarf and belted trench coat have long left their mark on the international fashion scene, and have become a wardrobe staple for fashionistas the world over. Whet your appetite in this fashion-jungle with a chic handbag or a sensuously soft cashmere sweater from the best number 3: Burberry.
4. O M EG A Since 1848 Omega has been making mechanical watches with exclusive designs – such as those from the Constellation and Seamaster collection. This golden number 4 is one of the first brands to introduce a waterproof watch and it is also famous for the official timekeeping at the Olympics, demonstrating the brand’s insistence on precision and excellence. Rightly one of the brands that makes shopping at Schiphol unique, you can find Omega at Schiphol at Gassan, the official Omega dealer.
5. B A N G & O L U F S E N Schiphol’s stunning number 5, Bang & Olufsen, delivers audio products made with craftsmanship and in outright stunning designs. Their portable products are intuitive to use, easy to integrate into your daily routine, and deliver excellent high-quality experiences. Get your B&O piece of craftsmanship at the Schiphol Electronics shops. Perfect audio rendering - isn’t that what you need on your globetrotting trips?
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TIME FOR A RT AT A M STE R DA M A I R P O RT S C H I P H O L
The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s main attractions and for a very good reason. Its collection of incredible artworks from the 17th century, by legendary painters like Rembrandt, makes it a must-visit. Didn’t you have time to visit the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam? Don’t worry, now you can visit Schiphol’s Rijksmuseum at the Holland Boulevard. Get inspired just before boarding your plane at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. A totally renewed branch of The Rijksmuseum has opened its doors between lounge 2 and 3 of the Schiphol Holland Boulevard. In this inspiring area you can get a quick and entertaining introduction to Dutch art and culture with a selection of the Rijksmuseum’s best. Pieter Roelofs, curator of the Rijksmuseum’s 17th century paintings, who is also co-responsible for the collection of paintings from the Golden Age, takes you on a must-see tour of Schiphol’s Rijksmuseum collection.
So Pieter, what is the story behind the paintings at Schiphol? The Rijksmuseum collection consists of about 1 million objects and artworks, of which more than 8000 are displayed in Amsterdam. This is, therefore, the tip of the iceberg and large enough to draw from for our Schiphol branch. When the museum opened there for the first time in 2002, we proceeded to set up a new exhibition every season. Now we have opted for a permanent display of masterpieces from the Golden Age. amsterdam luxury — nº12
Why have you chosen this specific collection for this branch at Schiphol? Holland is splendid and unique and what would be a better place to exhibit this and let people become acquainted with Dutch culture, than Holland’s main airport? This is why we chose to acquaint visitors with a number of typically Dutch themes portrayed by Golden Age paintings. Popular subjects such as landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and flowers painted by, among others, Jan van Goyen, Willem van de Velde, Michiel van Mierevelt and Abraham
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“At Schiphol I am always engulfed by that delicious sense of timelessness and placelessness, but in the Rijksmuseum you are in fact in another time experiencing a sense of beauty and rest – that is unique” Mignon are introduced to the public. We are displaying a total of 11 masterpieces from our collection. Which paintings do you consider to be the most special and not to be missed when visiting this branch of the museum? I would choose the portraits from 1640 done by Michiel van Mierevelt. He painted the future mayor of Amsterdam, Henrick Hooft and his new bride, Aegje Hasselaer. During that period, the bourgeoisie of the Republic of the Netherlands became increasingly powerful and rich. People wished to show that with expensive and fashionable clothing. In keeping with the latest fashion, they let their hair hang long and loose and Aegje has decked herself with precious earrings and a chest ornament. Numerous pearls adorn her neck and collar – something that is also done in the present time. I have selected these two works because they signal the onset of the powerful and rich bourgeoisie, which in the end also led to civil aviation. And in this way Schiphol has ultimately grown to what it is today.
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1. Ships before the Coast, Willem van de Velde, c. 1670 2. Portrait of Aegje Hasselaer, Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt, 1640 3. Portrait of Henrick Hooft, Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt, 1640 4. Panoramic View of a River with Low-Lying Meadows, Jan van Goyen, c. 1644
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Tell us: why is Schiphol’s Rijksmuseum so unique and worth travelling for? Schiphol is one of the most elegant, largest, and most prominent airports in the world. There is no finer place than the entirely renewed Holland Boulevard for international travellers to get a foretaste of the famous Dutch 17th-century painting, or for departing passengers to enjoy a last glimpse of the Dutch masters. Furthermore, Schiphol is a pioneer in matters of art: although the Schiphol amsterdam luxury — nº12
Rijksmuseum may no longer be the sole airport museum, it was, to be sure, the first! — You can visit Schiphol’s Rijksmuseum at the Holland Boulevard day and night and access is free of charge. Afterwards, you can get your favorite art souvenir in the museum shop next to the Schiphol Rijksmuseum to take home as your own unique memento, or you can use it specifically to introduce others to the beautiful and incredible Dutch culture.
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S E N SAT IONA L DEL IGH TS The historic, characteristic setting of Amsterdam provides the ideal backdrop and atmosphere for some of the world’s most exciting places to wine, dine, party, and sleep. Words: Anne-Marie van Leggelo, Ferdy Veerman, Catharine Winter A city of contradictions, it is infused with a constant balance between the old and the new, the vibrant and the serene, the international and the local. In a never-ending fusion of extremes, Amsterdam presents you with a wealth of first-class restaurants, exciting cocktail bars, hotels that breathe style and luxury, and charming retreats to calm your senses. The common denominators of originality and innovation in a unique, typically local setting are the ingredients for a truly memorable experience in the capital city. We’ve made an insider’s selection of must-visit venues for you to add to your little black book. From hidden-gem restaurants and posh afternoon tearooms, to boutique hotels with vintage charm and clubbing scenes only meant for the ultra-hip elite. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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M IC H E L I N - S TA R DI N I NG Amsterdam is home to many Michelin-starred restaurants, a reflection of its leading position in terms of excellence in the world of culinary delights. Creative dishes and sensational flavors are prepared by first-class chefs in a fusion of international-meets-Dutch cuisine; our selection of acclaimed restaurants is bound to satisfy your senses in equally extraordinary settings. DUTCH TASTE
Rijks
This restaurant, which was recently awarded a Michelin star, is connected to the Rijksmuseum and as such, it exudes the shared values of authenticity, quality, uniqueness, and simplicity. Dutch tastes are served in an innovative concept of new cuisine from the Low Countries, characterized by the pureness of Dutch products. Chef Joris Bijdendijk is inspired by local Dutch ingredients and often uses the international flavors that have influenced Dutch cuisine.
NATURAL FLAVORS
Bord’Eau
A dynamic view of Amsterdam’s historic center entertains you during your two Michelin star dinner, served in a uniquely elegant décor. Only the very best products are used to showcase the core flavors of high-quality ingredients. Acclaimed chef Richard van Oostenbrugge composes exquisite dishes with true, pure, and natural tastes. Select your accompanying wine from one of the most impressive wine lists in the world, which includes over 850 labels.
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WATERFRONT SETTING
Mos
This spacious waterfront restaurant with its unique views of the IJ combines fine dining and an atmospheric décor. French-international cuisine made with pure ingredients and seasonal products create flavorful, exceptionally presented dishes. The place of choice for wine and food lovers, it’s the first restaurant in the world to have been presented two prestigious awards in a single year: a Michelin star and the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.
SENSATIONAL CUISINE
Librije’s Zusje
Located on the garden level, this elegant venue overlooks a lush and peaceful urban oasis. Creating sensational flavors, renowned Executive Chef Sidney Schutte is known for combining local products with ingredients and influences from Asian cuisine. Only 7 months after this restaurant opened it was awarded two Michelin stars. A truly unique dining experience, the dishes are exquisitely presented for an endless series of culinary highlights and tantalizing taste sensations.
SEAFOOD GALORE
Bridges
Following a redesign this Michelin star awarded restaurant is a one-of-a-kind seafood experience in a warm and elegant setting. A unique collaboration with star chef Ron Blaauw has led to contemporary, innovative cuisine, with executive chef Andrès Delpeut’s perpetual creativity turning classic dishes into perfection. A dining experience to delight the senses. The wine list includes exclusive wines and vintage champagnes and the courtyard is one of Amsterdam’s best-kept secrets.
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Le Restaurant
SEASON’S BEST In the trendy ‘De Pijp’ neighborhood, this restaurant follows the cycle of the seasons to serve set menus consisting of the most creative culinary experiences. Various kinds of fresh fish, seafood, meat and poultry, vegetables, and herbs are sourced daily. The modern, yet warm ambiance and the use of natural materials are a reflection of the focus on French cuisine, always with a personal twist. We recommend sitting in one of the cozy booths. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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T R E N DY D I N I N G A breeding ground for experimental style, Amsterdam has plenty of groundbreaking restaurants available. These venues excel in their genuine originality, in combining various ingredients to produce the most provocative taste sensations, and in creating extraordinary ambiances. Ranging from a focus on simplicity to a full-on club style, the capital city has it all.
EXTRAORDINARY DINING
Mr. Porter
Full of surprises that break the rules of traditional cuisine. Infinitely cool contradictions, prepare to expect the unexpected. Unequalled flavor combinations result in unpredictable amalgamations. This steakhouse, with kitchen seating and a sensational roof terrace, serves premium-quality dishes in, surprisingly, a sleek lounge club-like atmosphere. Drinks are made with the same innovative and engaging combinations of the best ingredients, while the dj sets the tone with infectious, energizing music.
photo moon: teo krijgsman
PANOR AMA VIEWS
Moon
In a carefree setting this revolving restaurant, located on the 19th floor of the landmark a’dam Tower, offers breath-taking 360° views of Amsterdam, as well as the central kitchen, bar and entrance. A modern menu with a strong focus on quality is served. Creative, accessible, and healthy are the key words that inevitably come to mind when describing the high-quality dishes. A bimonthly line-up of renowned musical artists are invited as guest chefs!
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PURE & NATURAL
Bak
This restaurant is a former warehouse overlooking the water in what was Amsterdam’s timber port: Houthaven. High-quality products from passionate farmers, sustainable fisheries and local producers are used to create innovative, ethical dishes. The menu changes daily depending on the availability of seasonal products. Pure, natural flavors are offered in a relaxed ambiance. The wine list, primarily composed of Italian and French wines, showcases lesser-known grapes and regions, with exciting and original choices.
LOCAL TRENDY
Jacobsz
At a unique location off the beaten track, this establishment, featuring a classy cigar lounge and whisky bar, is housed in the monumental building of a former tavern. The chefs create innovative combinations, using modern as well as classic techniques with influences from a variety of cuisines, to produce well-balanced flavors. The regularly changing menu offers a choice of delectable fish, meat, or vegetarian dishes, with an extensive wine list to match.
Choux
Located at Spring House, on the south bank of the IJ river, this restaurant serves a changing, seasonal menu that primarily showcases vegetables. The wine list focuses on biodynamic, natural wines and offers an eclectic selection of options to pair with your food. The informal, avant-garde setting and relaxed vibe are a reflection of the cuisine that is served. The colorful dishes are perfectly presented and have well-balanced flavors with innovative touches.
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photo bak: jochem van grunsven
AVANT-GARDE DINING
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Hangar
H E A RT Y F L AVO R S In the raw chic atmosphere of the hangar, executive chef Ricardo van Ede demonstrates his love for pronounced tastes and premiumquality ingredients in pure, robust dishes and bistro classics such as steak tartare, côte de boeuf, and chocolate ganache. The huge terrace has an unparalleled view of the IJ river. This urban oasis features palm trees alongside tables draped with white linen. As the weather gets colder, a crackling fire will welcome you inside. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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S P E C T AC U L A R N I G H T L I F E It’s safe to say that Amsterdam is one of the best cities in the world to have a memorable night out. Visit the most exclusive cocktail bars, and have the most insane clubbing experiences. There is something to suit every taste. We’ve made a selection of some spectacularly original venues.
COCKTAIL ARTISANSHIP
The Tailor
Considering the pride this establishment takes in their “bespoke cocktails” it’s no wonder they were presented with the prestigious Red & Grey Best Hotel Bar award 2017. The elegance and sophistication of the custom-made drinks, hand-made liquors, exclusive bitters, and innovative infusions are mirrored by the interior of the bar, featuring the subtle use of stitches, buttons, vintage mannequins, and a mixture of fabrics, representative of the expertise of a historical clothier.
DELICIOUS PL AYGROUND
The Butcher Social Club
We found the most fun adult playground at the a’dam tower, increasingly the home of innovation and lifestyle. Food, music, coffee, games, and live dj music, all offered in a creatively industrial setting with colorful details, 24 hours a day. You can enjoy an intimate cup of coffee, as well as breakfast favorites and the famous Angus beef ‘Silence of the Lambs’ burger. This place has international charisma with an urban edge.
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VIP CLUBBING
Jimmy Woo
Party with the world’s über-cool crowd – if you’re one of the lucky ones to get past the seemingly random but very strict door policy. Inside are two floors worth of ultra-hip nightlife, each with a different look and feel. Upstairs, you’ll find an Asian vibe, featuring Japanese screens and pink rice paper, while the ‘cellar’ ceiling is particularly amazing with its almost 12,000 light bulbs blinking to the flawless beats of the world’s best dj’s.
WINES GALORE
Stuyvesant Wijnlokaal
The historical 16th-century West-Indisch Huis, is located on the trendy Haarlemmerstraat, directly behind the canals. You can sample more than 100 wines here, including some best-kept secrets. The knowledgeable sommelier is always happy to recommend the best wine to pair with your delightful food. We love the exciting location, impressive bar, and orange plush velvet in ‘old-world’ surroundings. It’s the right place for a voyage of discovery into the world of wines.
GOING RETRO
Door 74
Quaint yet sophisticated. The first speakeasy-style cocktail bar in the Netherlands, it’s on the list of the world’s best bars. We can see why. Behind a hidden door we found a warm and intimate atmosphere, enhanced by the dark brown hues, antique barware and a tin ceiling. Enthusiastic bartenders serve experimental as well as classic cocktails. Our insiders’ tip: call ahead to get your seat at the bar or in one of the booths.
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Tunes Bar
S O P H I S T I C AT E D STYLE We can best describe the creative and exotic cocktails that are served at this bar as a global celebration – highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of the different continents, with delicious bites to match. The inviting intimacy of this elegant venue is luxurious yet casual. The transparent bar, the folded steel staircase, and subtle lighting all add to the sophistication of the chic space. Live inhouse dj music on weekends enhances the exclusive vibe. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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TA L K I N G GI N A N D C O C K TA I L S Meet Thomas Vørding, a young Amsterdam creative with a passion for gin. Having earned his living as a photographer, working for such famous brands as G-star, Porsche, and Tommy Hilfiger, Thomas naturally strives for perfection. We met with Thomas to talk about his passion for gin, and of course, we didn’t forget to ask him about his favorite cocktail bars in Amsterdam! How did your passion for gin distilling start? Tell us all about it. Three years ago, considering my long tradition of drinking gin and great interest in cocktails, I came to the conclusion that, in my opinion, the perfect recipe for gin was missing. So, I started to do research into the world of gin distilling. Starting out in my kitchen with a copper distilling pot, various botanicals and not inhibited by any knowledge about gin making, I experimented with different ingredients. My initial intention was to make just ten bottles for my friends and myself – of course they didn’t like my first creations – but as the result continued to be better than expected, I decided to take a bigger step and make it into a real gin brand. So the intention wasn’t to put a new gin on the market? No, not at all – I just like to learn new things, and with my passion for cocktails and spirits this seemed like a nice hobby to me. Now my gin is served in many cocktail bars and shops in the Netherlands, and it’s even sold in Belgium, the uk and Denmark.
What makes a good gin for you? To me a gin should be distinctive enough to use in a cocktail, strong enough to mix with soda for a long drink, but also smooth enough for those who want to drink it neat – this must be balanced. Furthermore I can name over a hundred gin brands with a touch of lemon or orange in it. For me a good gin has to be distinctive. Therefore I chose to add toasted red cedar wood to my gin in combination with juniper, orange and cinnamon. The red cedar is a very distinctive ingredient. Why is this red cedar wood so special? Cedar is a tall coniferous tree known for its distinctive fragrance and taste. It occurred to me that besides being used in perfumes and cigar boxes it was also used to smoke fish or meat, but as far as I knew nobody had used it in a drinkable spirit like gin. After infusing and filtering the toasted cedar gives the gin its light, smoky identity and rich golden color. Oh, and even now I still chop the cedar myself! amsterdam luxury — nº12
So, how do we make a perfect gin and tonic? Of course that’s very personal, but I’d advise you to fill up a glass with ice cubes; add one part of gin and two or three parts of a soft, premium tonic water. Stir gently and garnish it with a slice of sweet red apple and a stick of cinnamon for a full, warm taste. For a lighter, fresher taste garnish it with a lemon peel and a few crushed cardamom pods.
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“I chose to add toasted red cedar wood to my gin in combination with juniper, orange and cinnamon”
Pulitzer’s Bar
The Tailor
As a gin expert you must also have some good advice on where to find the best cocktails in town. When I’m not mixing at the Vørding headquarters I like to go to Hiding in Plain Sight, Vesper Bar or Morgan & Mees – a beautiful hotel bar/ restaurant around the corner of my house. And what would be the most stylish cocktail-bar in Amsterdam? I like the atmosphere of The Tailor, a hotel bar in the center of Amsterdam with sophisticated bespoke cocktails which are carefully presented by Dutchwoman and bartender Tess Posthumus: undoubtedly one of the best female bartenders in the world! Which cocktails are your personal favorites? I would say a Dry Martini – a very classic cocktail for gin lovers. Since it has hardly any garnish on it, apart from an olive or a citrus peel, the gin has to be really good. Another cocktail I’m really fond of is the Negroni: a classic Italian aperitif cocktail made with equal parts of Vørding’s Gin, sweet red vermouth and a bitter like Campari or Gran Classico. When I make one I first smoke the glass with cedar wood before adding the ingredients, thus making it a ‘smoky’ Negroni.
Pulitzer’s Bar
THOMAS’ FAVO R ITE BARS
Vesper Bar
The Tailor
Last but not least: where can we try your gin in Amsterdam? You’re sure to find it in the bar and restaurant at The Dylan, also at the rijks restaurant’s bar or at Jacobz restaurant, where they offer amazing dishes and Vørding’s is the only gin they serve. If you want to bring a bottle back home with you, X Bank or Hutspot are where you want to be! —
Morgan & Mees
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C O S M O P O L I T A N L U X U RY An overnight stay in one of Amsterdam’s many luxury hotel options is a memorable experience in itself. The capital city’s top-class hotels come with the world’s best and most original culinary choices and high-class spa retreats. From historic grandeur to innovative design, this is a selection of our top picks.
GRAND RESIDENCE
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
The imposing lobby with its historical staircase, beautiful chandeliers, and high ceilings give this Grand Dame Hotel its royal appearance and homey warmth. The rooms and suites feature exclusive hand-printed wallpaper, providing a unique atmosphere. The hotel opened in 1867 in its superb location on the river Amstel and its dining options include the French-Mediterranean restaurant La Rive, as well as the more casual Amstel Brasserie. The urbane sauna and indoor pool offer the perfect place to relax.
PL AYFUL LUXURY
W Hotel Amsterdam
Spread across two iconic buildings, the ‘Exchange’ and the ‘Bank’, this hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design that’s evident from the moment you check in at the rooftop lounge. The Wow Suites boast a walk-in wardrobe, a large round bed and an open plan bathroom. An energetic space for unexpected moments, the hotel features a rooftop pool, two distinctly original restaurants and a spa with a gold and diamond design, reflecting the buildings’ history.
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DUTCH TREAT
De l’Europe
In the company of international celebrities, you’re immersed in the rich history of Dutch culture that’s showcased on the walls of the hotel decorated with works by the Dutch Masters. The hotel’s various culinary options include the Michelin-starred Bord’Eau Restaurant Gastronomique, and the casual chic Hoofdstad Brasserie. Exclusive wines from the private wine cellar ‘Les Caves De l’Europe’ are served. The hotel’s spa & wellness facilities are the icing on the cake in this iconic 19th-century treasure.
AMSTERDAM LEGACY
Conservatorium Hotel
Amsterdam’s former Sweelinck Conservatory of Music is now one of the city’s most luxurious and fashionable hotels. We’ve experienced this hotel as an immersion into the city’s rich cultural and design legacy. Fine in-house dining, the perfect location in the heart of Amsterdam’s museum district, the beautiful Vondelpark, and luxury shopping avenues are some of the prime ingredients. We recommend that you visit the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre – the hotel’s luxury urban retreat.
TOWN PAL ACE
The Grand Amsterdam
Furnished with French elegance and typically Dutch elements, the town palace boasts stained glass windows and marble staircases. The rich heritage was carefully preserved in the recent renovation, but the most advanced technology was also incorporated. The international culinary arts are the common denominator in the exquisite cuisine of the many gastronomic options. At SoSpa, relaxing aromas and calming music invite you into the tranquil space away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Waldorf Astoria
H I S T O R I C S O P H I S T I C AT I O N Set on the Herengracht, this exceptional retreat comprises six elegant canal palaces, built during the Golden Age, and boasts a unique entrance and grand staircase. While the tranquil interiors throughout the hotel, referencing the canal waters and Dutch art, create an authentic atmosphere that pays homage to the building’s history, they also incorporate modern and refreshing details. A gourmet restaurant awarded 2 Michelin stars and the peaceful spa complement the luxury feel of this hotel. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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THE GA ME OF LIFE AT H O L L A N D C A S I N O A M STE R DA M
What’s it like to forget about time and just enjoy the game of life? Try and find out at The Villa and The Private Loft, exclusive sections of Holland Casino accessible to all who accept that life is a roller coaster, complete with plenty of chills and thrills. Creating Stories
“With the creation of The Villa and The Private Loft, the story of the casino is complete.” These are the words of the manager of table games at Holland Casino, the only legal and responsible provider of casino games in the Netherlands. Well, who doesn’t like a good story? At Holland Casino, each and every day is about creating stories. The story might have an unexpected Hollywood ending, but whatever happens, it will always be remembered as a great night out when time was completely forgotten.
Holland Casino is located at the Singelgracht, part of the famous Amsterdam ring of canals that has been designated a unesco World Heritage Site. The entrance is at Max Euweplein, where people gather daily to challenge one another to a game of chess. Holland Casino in Amsterdam has also been there since 1991. The casino is famous for its Koepelzaal (“dome room”), but it also offers a very inviting atmosphere, which is a bit surprising given that this circular structure used to be a prison. Nowadays, it’s the most famous casino in the Netherlands. For the public at large, that is. amsterdam luxury — nº12
Entering The Villa
Recently a whole new area of the casino called The Villa was opened. It’s the high-limit area, which also features a private loft as will be seen below. This secluded area for high rollers long-pile carpet with a flamed print, lots of wood, and natural materials. But what matters most is the feeling guests get upon entering this villa, complete with marble touches and chairs covered in red silk. The host asks new arrivals if they have any preferences, offering a more exclusive
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selection of food and drinks than that offered in the rest of the casino. The stakes are explained and guests are then shown around the roulette, blackjack, punto banco, and slot machines. Entering The Villa is like coming home and can be luxurious and quiet or busy and action-packed as the guest desires. Even the dealers seem different. That’s because only the best dealers are allowed to work in The Villa. They live up to the highest international standards and understand what people want. “They know how individuals at the gaming tables want to be treated,” as the table games manager describes the
Custom Services The Private Loft. Playing in The Villa also means enjoying A place where VIP the services of the guest relations managers who can open up the doors to an entirely guests can play in new world. “Thanks to our connections and knowledge of the city, we can make absolute privacy, sure you explore places in Amsterdam you either with their group normally wouldn’t see. We take care of every last detail, so that you can spend your or by themselves. time as you please, whether that means one hour or twelve hours of play a day,” as the vip Manager describes it. high-quality service. What one really senses in The Villa is the level of privacy. It’s secluded, but still only a few steps away from the main Koepelzaal. amsterdam luxury — nº12
“If you come with two families, we can arrange two connecting rooms at the hotel. If you want to do private shopping for lux-
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ury shoes after closing time, we can make it happen. Perhaps your family and friends want to watch a football match with Ajax, the old club of the famous Johan Cruijff, from the very best seats. No problem.” The attraction of the High Limit Area seems clear to the guest relations managers, who are dedicated to providing excellent service to every guest. “The players always tell us that the Holland Casino feels safe and inviting. Most of the players enjoy the fact that the dealers are down to earth.” She also explains how most guests prefer to communicate by WhatsApp. But everyone is different, of course. “Some
guests prefer it if I stay close-by while they are playing. Others don’t and instead send text messages whenever they need something”. Her take on the job? “We offer complete service. You name it and we make it happen. Generally speaking, we never say no.”
The Mystery Stairs
Another thing worth checking out is the flight of stairs at the far end of The Villa, where a small spiral staircase seems to lead to somewhere special. In fact, it goes to a place that only the very few actually get to see. The name? The Private Loft. A place amsterdam luxury — nº12
where vip guests can play in absolute privacy, either with their group or by themselves. But it’s only available on request and for a certain stake. As the Private Loft must stay a bit of a mystery, not too much will be revealed about it here. But let’s just say that it is very luxurious. There’s art to be admired and special gaming tables. Absolute privacy is what’s on offer here. And when standing on the terrace of the Private Loft, guests literally and figuratively have the city at their feet, which undoubtedly makes for a fine conclusion to their Amsterdam story. —
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DIN ING ET IQU ET T E When you check out our selection of trendy and luxury restaurants in Amsterdam, you’ll definitely want to possess the very best in table manners. So we asked Anne-Marie van Leggelo, founder of “Het Etiquette Bureau” to provide us with a guide from what to wear to deciding where to sit. Now you have some essential etiquette skills right at the tip of your fingers!
Given the number of variables (What time of year is it? Who are your hosts? Is it a special occasion?), there’s no one right answer, which can make things a bit tricky. If you underdress, you risk offending your dinner companions. Overdress by a mile and you can make your host feel inadequate, insecure, or uncomfortable. The solution: Ask the host for advice. It’s the best way to find out if you’re in for a denim-welcome get-together or a more buttoned-down, skirt-andblouse or suit affair. Still worried about hitting the mark? Ladies: stash dangly earrings or a pretty scarf in your bag. Gentlemen: take a nice matching jacket with you to
dress up an outfit if need be. Play it safe? I would suggest the little black dress or a casual suit.
And to a Business Dinner
Clothing should be crisp, neat, pressed and never wrinkled, to project a professional, “business formal” image. Torn, dirty, and unmatched clothing is unacceptable. Wear a full matching business suit, including a jacket and dress pants or a dress skirt. The darker the suit, the more formal it is. Gentlemen: in addition to matching pants and jacket, men should wear a button-down shirt with a collar, paired with a tie. Ladies: dress pants or skirt with a matching jacket. Depending on the season, jackets may be ¾-length or short amsterdam luxury — nº12
photo: evenhauz photography
Eveningwear to an Informal Dinner
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sleeved. A cropped pantsuit is also suitable, however the hem of the pants should hit mid-calf and this style is not recommended in an interview setting. Skirts should always sit at or just above the knee.
About Greeting the Host and Guests
Being a gracious guest is all about a genuine smile, warm handshake, good behavior and nice conversation. The host is in charge so he or she takes the initiative in shaking your hand. Thank the host for the invite and don’t take up too much of his or her time. A good host will introduce you to other people by telling them your name and your profession or other interesting information. Always watch your body language when you talk to someone; give them your full attention. Hold your glass in your left hand so you can shake hands with your right.
The Table-Seating Plan – Who Sits Where?
Seating arrangements are made by the host. It is never correct for guests to shift place cards or take a seat at a table other than the one to which they have been assigned. It is a company’s prerogative to decide how to seat its guests. When entertaining business associates at home, the head seats, at either end of the table, are taken by the host and hostess. At a round or square table, the head seat is wherever the host wants to sit. At a rectangular table, the head seats are at the ends of the table. The most important guests occupy the right-hand seats, with the second most important guests, if any, occupying the left-hand seats. Unless protocol is being observed, other guests should not be seated according to their importance. (If protocol is being ob-
served, then everyone present understands the seating arrangements.) At a business lunch or dinner where spouses are not present, guests are more likely to be seated in accordance with their importance. The guest of honor is seated to the right of the host, with a second guest of honor seated to the left. Less important guests are arranged, often according to rank, around the table. And, how, you may wonder, do you go about ranking your guests? It’s not
“If you don’t know the etiquette or rule, don’t stress. Just wait and observe someone who does know” amsterdam luxury — nº12
as difficult as it sounds. Here are guests who should be given a place of honor: a visiting foreign dignitary or customer, a guest with military or government rank, an elderly guest, a guest with distinguished career or other important achievement, a guest who is celebrating an occasion such as a promotion, transfer, or birthday. —
Anne-Marie van Leggelo – van den Berkmortel is an etiquette & image expert, columnist, speaking professional and television host. She is also founder and CEO of Het Etiquette Bureau, a professional training and consulting firm specialized in modern business & international etiquette, image consultancy and hospitality. The Etiquette Bureau is dedicated to helping people polish their professionalism, enhance their interpersonal skills and improve their personal brand.
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BOU T IQU E HOT ELS The charm and refined elegance of luxury boutique hotels in Amsterdam make you feel as though you’re staying in a home away from home. These are retreats where one can take refuge after a busy and exciting day in the dynamic city. The history of these magnificent properties is almost tangible.
HISTORIC GLAMOUR
Canal House
Seventeenth-century merchant’s houses, located in the heart of the Jordaan neighborhood, make up the 23-bedroom boutique hotel on the famous Keizersgracht. The design of the hotel is contemporary with a touch of glamour, infused with Dutch art and historic elements, such as the traditional porcelain washbowl and washstand. Original features such as timber beams and ornate ceilings have been preserved. The hotel has a large garden and a pleasant 21st-century atmosphere.
URBAN RETREAT
Hotel Seven one Seven
This registered historical landmark in the heart of Amsterdam has a magnificent façade. It exudes the grandeur of a classic 19th-century house. The front door opens on to an old marble hallway that features a characteristic oak stairway. The individually designed rooms blend classic elements with modern luxury, featuring oversized easy chairs and contemporary as well as classic art. The overall feel of this boutique hotel is one of ultimate relaxation: a home away from home.
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PARK SANCTUARY
Hotel Arena
The hotel was built as an orphanage for Roman Catholic girls. With its rich history, and an extensive renovation, it became a luxury hotel in 2002. Featuring the beautiful Oosterpark as the entrance, this monumental building, frequented by an urban crowd, is a green hideaway with a village feel. Every guest room breathes the same calmness with high ceilings and cozy nooks combined with large windows and the use of quiet colors.
LOCAL CHARM
Hotel V Nesplein
In the heart of Amsterdam’s theatre district, we found this boutique hotel infused with the warmth that is characteristic of Amsterdam, and it’s run by a local family. Throughout the hotel you’ll experience an atmosphere of relaxed vintage charm. The spacious suites have luxurious wooden floors, custom-made V-Dreamer beds and large bathrooms. The welcoming Lobby restaurant features an open fireplace, a reading library, and a terrace overlooking the Nesplein.
WARM ELEGANCE
The Dylan
Behind a stone gate and through a courtyard, classic meets modern throughout this characteristic property. The lounge features a unique fireplace with a modern touch. Wooden floors and large windows add to the intimate charm of the 17th-century landmark. The combination of classic meets contemporary can even be tasted in the delicate French cuisine served in the sunken dining room surrounded by original 18th-century ovens.
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INK Hotel
F U N K Y LUXU RY This bohemian lifestyle hotel in the center of Amsterdam showcases luxury design. The property used to house the Dutch newspaper ‘De Tijd’, where stories were brought to life in ink. The lobby features a large wall sculpture composed of giant letterpress type blocks hinting at the building’s past. The quirky design of the rooms with hand-drawn maps on the walls, and original details like a complimentary Polaroid camera to create your own stories, add to the hotel’s imaginative charm. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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A F T ER NOON DEL IGH TS Amsterdam is infused with international charisma. This is also reflected in its wide variety of bistros and lunchrooms. From American to Italian cuisine on the one hand and Dutch ‘bitterballs’ and posh afternoon teas on the other, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. This is an insider’s selection of not-to-be-missed venues.
D EL I CI O USLY AMERICAN
Wyers Bar & Restaurant
At the Wyers Bar & Restaurant, you can enjoy American comfort food with a Dutch twist. Executive Chef SammyD merges his soulfully American style with Dutch culinary influences. Rustic, homely touches with a rough edge create the cozy setting that is typical of Amsterdam. We love the open kitchen’s eye-catching Grillworks wood-fired grill, where dishes such as the Black Angus rib eye, with its deliciously smoky flavors, are prepared. This is a high-end yet accessible venue.
BISTRO STYLE
Auberge Jean & Marie
Sometimes all you want is some pure and honest cooking in the welcoming ambiance of a traditional tavern. In our experience, this establishment is like a hidden bistro in the French heartland, with the friendly hosts to match, right here in the center of Amsterdam. No frills food, but rather a range of beloved French classics, and over 200 wines to choose from – one of the largest selections in the city.
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The Tea Room (The Duchess)
R O YA L T E A The scent of brewed teas and a bouquet of caramelized sugar, fragrant fruits, and freshly baked cakes envelops you in the rich décor inspired by the splendor of the belle époque. Afternoon tea bathed in sophistication, elegance, and class. We recommend a cup of Dream Tea, Marco Polo Rouge, or Chandernagor Chai. Or enjoy a glass of Dom Pérignon or Laurent Perrier champagne; the perfect companion to your delicate pastries, hand-made macaroons and warm scones. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Ferilli’s at the College
C L A S S I C I TA L I A N The warm and stylish 1920s atmosphere of this high-end Italian restaurant is matched with delectable, traditional cuisine. Michelin chef Donatella Zampoli takes pride in serving perfect preparations using the freshest ingredients and seasonings – Italian food according to Italians. Soft hues, olive colors, natural materials, and a clean design create a refined and elegant ambiance; while the custom-made, vintage-mirrored walls create an atmosphere of serene calm, with a distinct Italian touch. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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CON N EC T ION BY DE SIGN Design inspires: it’s timeless, limitless, and pleasing for the eye as well as for the heart. And for creativity and technology to have the possibility of awakening emotions and dreams, we would like to highlight the true essence we see in design: connection. Words: Raquel Remondo Gomez When it comes to a country with a heritage like The Netherlands, we are honored to say that the Dutch have provided some amazing design stories. How about a bike completely made of copper plated materials? A hotel with an internal glass courtyard with floor-to-ceiling windows? Two Dutch brothers who restore industrial lamps from forgotten factories? We also proudly introduce you to Dutch designer Marcel Wanders and invite you to take a private look around a home designed by Dutch designer Edward van Vliet. Finally, we gladly introduce you to some of our ultimate design favorites, all carefully selected to let you truly connect to Dutch design at its finest. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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U N IQU E FIN DS As fashion designer Coco Chanel once said, “An interior is the natural projection of the soul.” So we say: why not enrich your home with inspiring designs? We have personally selected six of our favorite design stores where you can discover unique finds for your home – or as the perfect gift.
ADD SPICE
Pols Potten
Forget about being normal: Amsterdam brand Pols Potten wants to add spice to your life with clearly innovative, yet tongue-in-cheek products, truly Dutch qualities that make their products a must-have for any interior. Get inspired in their image store located in a former warehouse on knsm Island, while discovering the complete Pols Potten collection from sofas to lamps, rugs, tableware, plus a thousand other things including tailor-made kitchens and a selection of furniture brands.
DESIGN INTERPL AY
Frozen Fountain
If you’re enjoying a walk along the Prinsengracht canal, make sure to visit the Frozen Fountain shop. This highly dynamic collection is displayed over 625 m² with a core of contemporary furniture, lighting, home textiles, and accessories. The additional selection of international furniture brands creates an interesting interplay of classics and contemporary designs. We know design lovers will be pleased to see their regular exhibitions with an emphasis on installations and art commissions.
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ORIGINAL STORIES
Blom & Blom
Blom & Blom is about two brothers who share a passion for authentic items with a story to tell. They collect, restore, and redesign original industrial lamps and furnishings from forgotten factories. Their store on Chrysantenstraat is your go-to spot, offering an extensive collection of unique pieces, each carrying a passport with the product’s origin and history, as well as Blom & Blom’s own designs, inspired by their hunt for industrial treasures.
PL AYFUL REALITIES
Moooi
Opening the door of Moooi Amsterdam is like stepping into a world of extraordinary, playful realities in different scales and compositions. The Showroom & Brand Store is perfectly located in the colorful Jordaan district and serves as a meeting point full of ideas and inspiration for press, architects, designers, and design lovers. When visiting, we recommend you take your time to discover and enjoy the inspiring stories, unexpected shapes, and the excitement of the Moooi style.
photo moooi: andrew meredith
TRÈS COOL
Droog
In the Staalstraat, located in the heart of Amsterdam you will find Hôtel Droog: the cultural home of conceptual design company Droog. The Droog shop in the sublime 17th century building is known for its specially selected collection of cutting edge design, fashion, accessories, books and très cool cosmetics. Discover their range of small items, limited edition pieces, and Droog classics and make sure you have a look upstairs at the designs in Café Droog.
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Bolia
NEW S C A N D I N AV I A N If you like to get inspired while shopping, Bolia is the place to be. The design company puts creativity at the heart of everything they do, resulting in unique handmade and customizable furniture and accessories. When visiting the stores on Raadhuisstraat and Utrechtsestraat, we truly enjoy wandering around the different rooms surrounded by the inspiring installations, soft velour sofas, cool mix tapes, organic coffee, wonderful scents, and, of course, their signature New Scandinavian Design.
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DE SIGN W I T H C H A R AC T E R
In each issue of Amsterdam Luxury, we give you an exclusive look inside an Amsterdam dream home created by a Dutch designer. We only show you homes that will undoubtedly leave you inspired with dreams and creativity for your own interior. This time we had the opportunity to get a private tour through an amazing project designed by leading designer Edward van Vliet. A Perfect Match
Edward van Vliet is known for distinctive concepts, a culturally rich approach, and meticulous attention to detail as can be seen in what the designer describes as a “unique and characteristic ‘Pippi Longstocking house’.” The five-story building is flooded with in light and is located at the Vondelpark, which means it comes with a priceless
bonus: a stunning view of the city’s green heart. With his expertise in design, architecture and lifestyle, Edward van Vliet is known for delivering exceptional design. He studied architecture design, interior and industrial design at Design Academy Eindhoven and hku School of the Arts before opening his own studio in 1990. Since Van Vliet considers a building’s context buildamsterdam luxury — nº12
ing to be very important, restoring this 1916 property was the perfect match to his skills. In this private commission, the designer was asked to maintain the building’s historical characteristics in a non-frivolous, yet colourful way, while distinctively adding his own design signature. Variety is something that fits Van Vliet’s design direction, consid-
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“The lamps complementing the dining table were handblown on the Venetian island Murano” ering his studio has an impressive portfolio in the fields of hospitality, premium brand retail, and luxury property development. Being able to apply different styles in all ten rooms of this 900 m² (9700 sq. ft.) property made this project a perfect fit for Van Vliet. Spaces include a large attic, a spacious living room, and several large studies.
Authentic Design
When entering the hallway of this impressive house, guests are welcomed by original elements like the rosewood staircase, white marble, and the authentic stained glass windows. Instead of chic lighting, the designer purposely chose a braided bamboo lamp in soft white to frame the stairwell and to create a balance with the luxurious marble. The original elements were also used as an inspiration for the building’s colour palette. Van Vliet: “I anticipated the authentic style of the property by looking at the glasswork.” He mainly used natural materials, with oak hardwood floors throughout with the oak elements painted a soft white. A playful touch to compliment all of the oak elements is the silver-plated crystal glass lamp found in the bedroom: a piece Van Vliet had earlier designed for Dutch label Moooi.
Design Challenges
The designer considered the basement his biggest challenge. It originally housed the kitchen and even though it is adjacent to the beautiful garden, the designer decided to move the kitchen to the ground floor. The result is a big kitchen that enjoys stunning views of Vondelpark. The dining room offered its own challenge, with van Vliet spending more than a year trying to find the perfect dining chairs. The owners then mentioned that they had some antique chairs in the attic, which proved to be a perfect match for the table he had designed: “I believe combining old pieces with new items creates a very nice blend.”
Global Influences
While maintaining the property’s history, this interior design also includes cultural influences from around the world. The amsterdam luxury — nº12
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“This building embodies the natural flow with which the designer mixed original elements with exquisite cultural pieces, colours, and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind style” residents love African art, so Van Vliet was asked to integrate their collection into the interior. Japanese-influenced patterns are also found throughout the house, as can be seen in the bn International wallpaper collection created by Van Vliet himself: “These surprising combinations of colours and patterns contain influences from the Middle East and Africa. Like in the bathroom, where the wallpaper matches the brown marble surprisingly well.” Other cultural gems include the Fence carpet made in Nepal out of a unique combination of nettle and silk. The lamps complementing the dining table were hand-blown on the Venetian island Murano. Many fabrics throughout the house, such as can be seen in the curtains, were handcrafted in Como in northern Italy, a city famous for its embroidered textiles. The patterns perfectly match the wallpaper in the corridor as well as the other graphic elements decorating the house. This building embodies the natural flow with which the designer mixed original elements with exquisite cultural pieces, colours, and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind style. This inspired project once again shows why Edward van Vliet is considered a leading contemporary Dutch designer. — amsterdam luxury — nº12
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3X DE SIGN T H AT S H I N E S
1 R O YA L B L U E : G O L D E N T O U C H If you give typical Dutch tradition a modern twist, you get Sabine Struycken’s Royal Blue Collection: a unique series of ceramic apples decorated with Delft blue patterns. Touch of Gold is her latest creation in collaboration with artist Samuel Dejong: the apple symbolizes infinity and carries a unique tulip pattern, while Dejong’s signature 24-karat gold-plated handmade mini-sculptures of butterflies show just how fragile and indestructible our ecosystem can be. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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2 COPPER BIKE: S HAR E A S M I LE Amsterdam counts more bikes than residents. But Dutch designer Bart van Heesch has still managed to create a design that will catch everyone’s attention. The copper bike by Van Heesch Design is completely made of copper-plated parts that prevent rust and eventually turn into a gorgeous green color, guaranteeing smiles, as the designer says: “It has this amazing effect on people. You don’t own this bike, you’ll share it with the world.” amsterdam luxury — nº12
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3 T R U LY T R U LY: C O L O R E F F E C T Wanting to surprise, captivate, and move people, Rotterdam-based design studio Truly Truly definitely creates designs that are an experience in themselves. The Daze side table is one of their new works, inspired by hazy light shining through a crack. The design is built up out of architectural blocks with subtle slits that let colors shine through. The bold effect, shifting between intense concentrations in color and beautiful subtle fades, leaves us mesmerized. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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EXTRA O R D I N A RY REALITY The Knotted Chair, the Shadows Lamps, the Nomad Carpet, the Egg Vase. When we say “Marcel Wanders,” we mean “extraordinary”. The designer’s work excites and provokes, but never fails to surprise. Born in the Dutch town of Boxtel and having graduated cum laude from the Arnhem School of the Arts in 1988, Marcel Wanders gained international recognition with his iconic Knotted Chair, produced by Droog Design in 1996. Regarded by many as an anomaly in the design world, it is his mission to create an environment of love, to live life with passion, and to make one’s most exciting dreams come true. And his vision has thrived, resulting in coverage in all of the leading design media from Nylon to The New York Times. His work has even been shown in some of the most renowned museums in the world including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria & Albert in London, and, of course, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
Never-ending Creativity
Today, Marcel Wanders has his own product and interior design studio. Under the creative leadership of Wanders and Gaamsterdam luxury — nº12
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Mondrian Doha, 2017
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briele Chiave, his team of forty lives and breathes creativity. Wanders’ work is ubiquitous, designing for leading international premium brands like b&b Italia, Cappellini, Louis Vuitton, Alessi, Puma, klm Royal Dutch Airlines, and m.a.c Cosmetics. Wanders appreciates mutual respect and collaboration since he believes every brand has its own heritage and dna. Therefore the studio fuses the best of both worlds to create a new, extraordinary reality. Wanders uses his expertise in 3-d and conceptual design to bring his designs to life. In addition to his own studio, Wanders is co-founder and artistic director of the internationally renowned Dutch design label Moooi. Wanders is also the first and one of the most important designers of Droog design. Furthermore, the designer gladly shares his knowledge by cooperating in design-related projects. From being a juror for various prizes like the Rotterdam Design Prize to lecturing at various Dutch and international design academies and companies like sfmoma, the Design Academy, and Nike. His success has not gone unamsterdam luxury — nº12
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When it comes to design, we believe Marcel Wanders is a true visionary, shaping the design industry and advocating for more humane design by focusing on romance and fantasy rather than the coldness of industrialism noticed: Marcel won the Rotterdam Design Prize for the Knotted Chair and received several other awards including a nomination for “Designer of the Year” in Wired magazine’s 2001 Wired Rave Awards.
Bold Thinking
Wanders is renowned for his architectural and interior design projects such as the Mondrian South Beach hotel in Miami and Thor restaurant at the Hotel on Rivington in New York. In 2005, he established the extraordinary lute suites hospitality concept together with chef Peter Lute: the first “all-over city suites” hotel in the world. This year, the Mondrian Doha in Qatar opened its doors. This 5-star hotel designed by Marcel Wanders showcases his signature style and offers a luxurious, holistic experience. The design features giant columns with golden eggs, a “tree of life” made of flowers, and intricate mosaic tiling. When it comes to design, we believe Marcel Wanders is a true visionary, shaping the design industry and advocating for more humane design by focusing on romance and fantasy rather than the coldness of industrialism. By respecting the past and the diversity of cultures, he has developed a contemporary language that he calls the “contemporary renaissance of humanism.” This is evident in his work for the Private Residence Taipei, where each individually designed room has its own exquisite tone
with colorful mosaics by Bisazza, luxurious furniture, thick woven carpets, and warm woods. Wanders has created multiple moods and atmospheres across the building, ranging from bright and glamorous to amsterdam luxury — nº12
sensual and mysterious. By eliminating the boundaries of traditional thinking, Marcel Wanders proposes bold, beautiful solutions that touch the hearts and minds of many people. —
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Taipe Residence, 2015
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SOPHIS T IC AT E D MEETS FREESPIR I T ED Whether looking for an amazing place to stay the night or just a spot to have lunch or get some work done, Amsterdam’s finest hotels provide some of the most comfortable facilities in inspiring settings.
Sir Adam
A true classic is found in the famous Museum Quarter: the Conservatorium Hotel. Upon entering this spectacular building, it is immediately evident why this hotel is considered one of Amsterdam’s best-designed hotels. The spacious, light-filled Neo-Gothic building was designed by Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel at the end of the 19th century and once served as a bank and was then home to the city’s Sweelinck Music Conservatory. A hundred years later, award-winning, Milan-based architect and interior designer Piero Lissoni mixed the building’s gorgeous Art Nouveau interiors with his contemporary designs and use of refined modern materials, colors, and technology. Walking the corridors of this contemporary luxury lifestyle hotel, Italian furniture, vintage Asian rugs, and art by Ninon & Alexandram, Henk Helmantel, Kevin Best, and Claude Vanheye can be discovered. The beautiful atrium with spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch in the brasserie or to relax in one of the plush sofas in the intimate lounge. Perfect for a sophisticated break. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Conservatorium Hotel
And speaking of a break, for the modern lifestyle traveler, the urban boutique hotel Sir Adam is the perfect choice. Located just behind Central Station, overlooking the IJ and the city center, this hotel is in the iconic a’dam Tower, former home to Royal Dutch Shel. Award-winning New York-based innovation and design studio icrave embraced the industrial chic of the original tower structure by letting the raw concrete pillars and exposed ceilings frame their colorful interiors. Local emerging artists decorated the hotel with commissioned pieces, while the floor-to-ceiling windows offer floating desks and window benches and panoramic views of the skyline. The Hub, the hotel’s modern lobby, is a co-working space-meets-concept store for guests and locals. Enjoy the free-spirited Sir Adam atmosphere and have a cocktail and burger in the casual living room environment of The Butcher Social Club or take the spiral staircase down to The Beergarden, a panoramic indoor-outdoor drinking den featuring a sun terrace. — amsterdam luxury — nº12
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A RCH I TECTURAL GEMS Although the global image of the city may be one of old historic buildings and small alleyways interlaced with water, the urban landscape of Amsterdam is rich with a wide variety of architectural gems and surprises. Words: Erik Boker Along the IJ river for example, the lifeblood of the city and its grandest waterfront, and not far from each other, stand some outstanding, modern architectural treats. Or the canal houses, noteworthy for a mixture of ornate details, elegance, and architectural quirkiness that together make its character one of the most unique in the world. Exciting, elegant, historic, or ultramodern, the architecture can be sleek or it can be traditional but there is no shortage of luxurious feasts for the senses. Here we highlight a few significant examples, some subtle, some unmistakable, some off the beaten path, some new, and some dating from the 1600s. The common thread amongst them is a unique elegance and craftsmanship, highlighting the architectural originality in this diverse city. amsterdam luxury — nº12
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The National Maritime Museum amsterdam luxury — nº12
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The Smallest House
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photos: mo juriaan barends photography
U N IQU E FAÇ A D E S Amsterdam has no shortage of architectural eccentricities. A walk through the city will easily mesmerize visitors with the broad ranges of styles, often literally leaning into one another. But of course there are a few showcases that insist on the curiosity and puzzled looks of passers-by. There are some of the tiniest houses in the world, buildings adorned with mysterious heads from legend and myth, old wooden houses which miraculously survived, clusters of mismatched styles appropriated from elsewhere, and houses that are double the width of their neighbors. amsterdam luxury — nº12
The house with the narrowest façade can be found at Singel 7: the façade is just a bit wider than 1 meter.
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Trippenhuis
The Smallest House
In the historical heart of Amsterdam at the Oude Hoogstraat 22, is the smallest recorded house in the city, at 2.02 meters wide and 5 meters deep. It was first recorded in 1738 and existed as only ground floor. At that time, it was rented by a Jan Tenking for 150 guilders per year. Between 1768 and 1787, two upstairs floors and an attic were added. Situated next to the East India House and the gate to Walloons Church, the house exists on a tiny property of approximately 10 square meters, left over from the sale and subsequent building site of Oude Hoogstraat 20 next door. The city purchased it and even, for the first time, paid taxes on the property.
The Widest House – Trippenhuis
Located on the Kloveniersburgwal, near the St Anthony Weighhouse in the Nieuwmarkt, the Trippenhuis was owned by two brothers who worked as armaments dealers, Louys (1605-1684) and Hendrick Trip (1607-1666). Following a successful takeover of an iron foundry in Sweden, the brothers flourished in their dealings, and they hired architect Justus Vingboons, who had also designed projects in Sweden in that time, to design a double house for the two of them, big enough to ply their trade from the property. The façade, which cleverly hides the dividing wall so that it is not readily apparent that it is two residences, is adorned with very tall, eye-catching Corinthian columns and an array of decoration symbolic of their trade, such as mortar-shaped chimneys on top and weaponry and olive branches in various carvings. The interior ceilings, doors and corridors are richly decorated with the many paintings commissioned by the brothers, many of which are still preserved.
The House with the Heads
On the Keizersgracht 123 sits a large canal house dating back to 1622 in the Golden Age period, curiously ornamented by six heads across the façade. Legend had it that the six heads represented six thieves who tried to enter and were beheaded. The legend was later debunked as it was discovered that the six heads represented gods: Apollo, Ceres, Mercury, Minerva, Bacchus, and Diana. The house was built by the De Keyser father and son architects for art lover Nicolas Sohier, but the busts were actually added by the second owner, Louis de Geer. De Geer, a wealthy merchant who considered money a lubricant for social change, placed the heads of Mercury (the god of trade) and Minerva (the goddess of wisdom) on either side of the entrance. In fact, the House with the Heads would become a welcoming beacon to those interested in sharing ideas in the fields of science, philosophy, culture, and commerce. The De Geer family left in 1779, and the house has since changed hands multiple times, with multiple uses. Today it is being readied to be open to the public.
The House with the Heads would become a welcoming beacon to those interested in sharing ideas in the fields of science, philosophy, culture, and commerce.
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The House with the Heads
The Wooden House
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Zevenlandenhuizen
The Wooden House
At number 34 in the hidden courtyard known as the Begijnhof, the Wooden House (or Het Houten Huis) is one of only two wooden-façade houses in the city and is said to be the oldest house in Amsterdam, dating from about 1455. It survived the catastrophic series of fires in 1521, which led to the prohibition of wooden house construction. The Wooden House sits among the lovely houses of the Begijnhof, an inner courtyard dwelling said to be founded in the fourteenth century, protected from Amsterdam’s noisy central streets within the Singel. The original houses did not survive, but it was originally constructed as a sanctuary for the Begijntjes, a sisterhood much like a convent, but without monastic vows. In fact it is still owned by a community of women, with houses overlooking an idyllic garden.
Zevenlandenhuizen
On Roemer Visscherstraat, tucked away in the historically moneyed neighborhood by the Vondelpark, the Zevenlandenhuizen is a row of houses distinct from one another in that they each represent a style of a different European country. Built in 1894 by architect Tjeerd Kuipers on commission from wealthy politician Samuel van Eeghen, the houses stand out as a testament to the will of the imagination, in a period where architecture and creativity flowed together with a fascination for the exotic. From number 20 to number 30A, passersby can experience the full range of European styles in seven homes: from an English cottage, to a French Loire Valley castle, a Moorish-influenced Spanish house, a Russian domed Kremlin-esque cathedral, a German fairy-tale turreted castle, a typical example of the Dutch Renaissance, and an Italian palace. — amsterdam luxury — nº12
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CANAL HOUSE GA BLES A walk alongside Amsterdam’s canal houses, especially around Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht, will reveal the rich variety of detail and form in the tops of the long slender buildings.
images: stadsarchief amsterdam
The gable, the upper portion within the dual-pitched roof, is an interesting nuance in the history of Amsterdam’s architecture, usually including a curious hook and pulley system for lifting bulky goods to upper floors.
The STEP GABLE, used between 1600 and 1665, was often more elaborately decorated than the spout gable. It’s common in the centre of Amsterdam, and is recognized by what look like steps ascending both sides of the top of the roof. It was very common at the time, but fashion and new trends are powerful temptations, and many affluent Dutch homeowners adapted their homes and gables to the more ornate style of the eighteenth century. Only one hundred of the earlier style are left today. The Bartolotti House at Herengracht 170 is easily one of the more iconic examples.
The BELL GABLE, used between 1660 and 1790, was a popular and more fashionable, ornate gable that mimics the shape of a church bell; it’s also known as the clock gable. They were often adorned with sandstone scroll motifs, which some say resembled the wigs that were in fashion at the time, or also ornamental flowers, fruit, or claws. They are related to the neck gable in their form and silhouette, and later they took on more exuberant additions influenced by the style of Louis xv. The widest bell gable ever built can be seen at Prinsengracht 359.
Introduced by architect Philip Vingboons, the NECK GABLE, used between 1638 and 1780, was a variation on the gable idea. It was composed of a slender, straight, rectangular extension that goes upward in the middle, decorated with carved sandstone ornaments, the ‘klauwstukken,’ on its sides and top, often with a shell motif. Embracing the style of Louis xiv, it is more symmetrical than the bell gable. Some are made entirely from brick, while others entirely from sandstone. A variant, the raised neck gable, features an elongated neck and can be more ornamental. At Herengracht 168 you will find the first neck gable ever built.
The SPOUT GABLE, used between 1620 and 1720, commonly signified trade and the presence of a warehouse rather than a residence. The form of the gable is simple, the shape of an inverted funnel, with a rectangular block sitting atop the apex of the roof, resembling the spout of the funnel. Later the form would take on a more elaborate expression with additional details. Made of brick and sandstone, the spout gable was built more solidly than the previous pointed wooden gables dating from 1420, whose construction was halted due to recurring fires. Nice examples can be seen along Brouwersgracht 184-194. —
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IJ-L IGH TS
Sir Adam Hotel amsterdam luxury — nº12
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When architecture in Amsterdam comes to mind, one most likely imagines the luxury and grandeur of the seventeenthcentury houses lining the city’s canals.
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But Dutch architects were also a leading force of modern architecture in the twentieth century, shaping ideas across Europe. Contemporary Dutch architects continue to push boundaries that are changing the landscape. They are inventing new ways for blending the old and the new, uniting contemporary Dutch modernism with quirky and unique history of the city’s harbor.
photo: adam mork
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Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Kraanspoor
photo: christiaan de bruijne
A’dam Tower
Located next to the eye, the a’dam Tower is a nearly 100-meter-high tower with twenty-two floors, overlooking the IJ in Amsterdam-North from its unique position which is rotated 45° relative to the river. Originally designed in 1966 by Dutch architect Arthur Staal, it was locally known as ‘Shell Tower’, and housed the headquarters of the multinational Royal Dutch Shell until 2009. In 2016 it was reopened after a large-scale redevelopment by Claus and Kaan Architects, which turned it into a multi-purpose space that includes: offices, a hotel, a nightclub, an exhibition space and a creative hub. There’s also an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. The iconic tower is a tall dark volume on white legs, with a rotated crown sitting on top. The façade went though a massive renovation as well, adding transparency to the enlarged windows with a thin layer of gold in the glass.
Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ
Along the IJ river stands a modern volume of concrete and glass, the Muziekgebouw. Designed by Danish architects 3xN and opened in 2005, the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ is a concert venue for mostly contemporary and classical music. A stunning block of glass, roofed by a slab of concrete, the building is a marvel of transparency. Natural light streams in from the roof and the facades, and from a foyer that continues down to the terrace by the water’s edge. To counter the coldness of the space, rough concrete and raw wood add warmth to its interior. There is a main hall, seating for eight hundred people, and it’s decorated with a wall system that changes colours. The bimhuis hall, a smaller, more intimate hall, is dedicated to jazz concerts and features seating for three hundred people as well as a gigantic window looking out across the spectacular backdrop of the city. amsterdam luxury — nº12
Kraanspoor
In August of 1997, architect Trude Hooykaas was struck with a vision. While cycling, she came across a colossal Kraanspoor (crane track) used to finish the giant supertankers before they left the former ndsm dockyards to the north of the city. The aged, mossy crane track, built in 1950 by architect J.D. Postma, was 270 meters long, 13.5 meters high and 8.5 meters wide. She was convinced that this would be where she would build her next project. However, it wasn’t easy. She fought the politicians, developers and advisors who blocked her by declaring the structure infeasible and who told her to find a “normal” place to build something. On the day, she finally won and construction began in 2006. Since the building was completed in 2007, it has won a host of awards.
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REM Eiland Restaurant
The transparent modernist three-floor office block that now stands above the crane track is a marvel of design. It is part of the reason wby Amsterdam Noord and the ndsm shipyard has since expanded into the growing hotspot that it is. The double-skin “climate façade” of inner and outer facades and motorized glass louvers creates energy efficiency and a natural ventilation system. To reduce the building’s weight by half, a light-weight steel structure in combination with an infra+ floor system was used, so that the new structure (the same 270 meters long, with a width of 13,8 meters) can “float” above the old, a seamless combination of industrial heritage and modern architecture.
REM Eiland
In 1964, Pieter Schelte Heerema and shipbuilder Cornelis Verolme had the idea to build an artificial island was built in the North Sea, construct a tower platform in Cork, Ireland, and have it towed to the
Dutch coast. This was the birth of the pirate broadcaster tv Noordzee, home to such hits of the era as “Zorro” and “Mr. Ed.” But since Dutch law at the time did not allow such commercial broadcasting, the popular station was raided and shut down by Dutch authorities four months later. It was dismantled in 2006, and since 2011 sits in Amsterdam harbor in the Houthavens. Towering 22 meters above the IJ river, this striking three-deck, fire-engine-red sea rig was made over in 2008. Entrepreneur Nick van Loon approached the designers at concrete to develop the design for the renovation and expansion of rem Eiland. They added an extra floor and returned the lower deck to its original media function with an added exhibition space. Designed on the same grid as the existing structure, the staggered layers and typically blocky minimal forms are there, while they replaced the white façade elements with windows. Decks two and three, which once housed a helicopter pad, are now a restaurant with amsterdam luxury — nº12
roof terrace,. Visitors can dine in a piece of Dutch history, and take advantage of the 360-degree panorama over the docklands.
IJDock
Directly out of the A’dam tower’s window from its southwest-facing side, across the IJ, you’ll see a complex of buildings constructed on a reclaimed peninsula. The IJDock is 89,000 m2 in size and comprised of several dynamic buildings with diverse functions such as a courthouse, apartments, and a hotel. The contours of the buildings are most notably unique for their “cut-outs,” an empty space cut out of the sharp-edged block of high rises, which designers Dick van Gameren and Bjarne Mastenbroek used to create the form of the structures, to connect to the rest of the city and not disturb its view of the IJ. Stroll through and find the green apartment building, with its astonishingly acute edge, already a popular target for photographers. The actual edge houses a single apartment in its corner, with nine floors. —
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photo: jeroen musch
IJDock complex by Zeinstra Gelderen Architects
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MUSEUM A RCH I T E C T U R E Recent museums architecture has often been dramatic, if not sometimes over-the-top. Amsterdam has a wide variety of styles in its modern museums, including the Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum), the EYE Film Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum.
photo: john lewis marshall
Whether there is an eye-popping design by some star architect or a marriage between contemporary form and the existing structure, the space should encourage discovery and learning and take visitors to other worlds.
Stedelijk Museum amsterdam luxury — nº12
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Van Gogh Museum
After a lengthy and tumultuous renovation period, the Stedelijk reopened in 2012. The original Dutch Neo-Renaissance style building, designed by Dutch architect A.W. Weissman in 1895 in a sober red brick and pale stone combination inspired by its cousin down the road, the Rijksmuseum, was given a new facelift and a bold new entrance. After years of problems following a forced closure in 2003, the project was handed to Benthem Crouwel Architects, whose proposal retained the old building’s façade, grand staircase, and natural light, but changed the entrance to face the rest of the central square area. Nicknamed “The Bathtub,” an alien, smooth white form made of reinforced fiberglass bending over the Museumplein and a glass façade together doubled the exhibition space to 8,000 square meters, creating a ground-level entrance reception area, cafe and terrace, and bookshop, and also an underground exhibition space and library. Critics were quick to fire at the bold design, but the Benthem Crouwel Wing creates a powerful new image for the museum, reclaiming its status as a world-class cultural destination.
Van Gogh Museum
Sitting adjacent to the Stedelijk Museum on the Museumplein is the Van Gogh Museum, arguably one of the most popular museums in the country. Opened in 1973, it consists of two buildings, and has a complex history. The original building was designed by Gerrit Rietveld and finished by his partners J. van Dillen and J. van Tricht after his death in 1964. The second building, an elliptical, asymmetrical exhibition wing was designed by the late Kisho Kurokawa in 1999, adding a striking complement (and contrast) to Rietveld’s functionalist modern geometrical forms. At the hands of many different designers, the museum has since undergone a series of renovations and readjustments, such as an office wing, the bridge between the two buildings, and a museum shop. In 2015, Hans van Heeswijk Architects elaborated on Kurokawa’s concept, integrating 650 meters of cold bent glass frontage and a 600 square meter cantilevered glass fin canopy over the entrance hall. With all of these contributions from so many designers, the museum itself is a true Gesamtkunstwerk, with all its different parts in dialogue, and also a visual fusion of East and West. amsterdam luxury — nº12
EYE Film Institute
The eye Film Institute, located along the IJ river behind the Amsterdam Central Station, is a spectacular building with a dynamic, white, geometric form. Serving as exhibition space, cinema, laboratory, and also the national film archive, this building was completed in 2012 to celebrate the elemental qualities of film itself: light, space and movement. At the same time, the striking forms create an alluring contrast to the historical centre of old Amsterdam, offering a beacon for the new Noord District across the river. A short ferry ride allows visitors the opportunity to explore a newly developing community where empty and aging wharfs once stood. The use of light as a defining element is unavoidable in both its interior and exterior design and function. With floor to ceiling glass enclosures overlooking the river, the quality of the light is physiologically tangible within the space. Transitions among rooms exert a sense of continuity, while diverse lighting conditions, melded with diverse materials from oak planks to concrete, create continuously changing areas and a truly dynamic space.
photo: jan-kees steenman
Stedelijk Museum
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EYE Film Institute
photo eye film museum: ralph richter
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum, situated in the Plantage, the Cultural Garden of Amsterdam, is an imposing historical structure originally used by the Admiralty of Amsterdam as a storehouse for the shipping needs of the war fleet. Since its establishment in 1656, it has remained a storehouse in various differing forms, and yet an architectural marvel with astounding views of the city. It has endured multiple transitions, housing cannons, sails, flags, and as a repository for rainwater for sailing crews, as well as a stint serving Napoleon’s navy, a devastating fire and subsequent assaults; and, until the early 1970s it was a storehouse for the navy. In 2011, its renovation was completed to preserve it as a public space and museum for the stored collection. A striking new element was introduced: the glass roof over the courtyard, using 1200 pieces of glass and 160,000 kilograms of steel. — amsterdam luxury — nº12
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