Fetishism

Curated by Lidewij Edelkoort, the exhibition on view at Trapholt addresses how design and fashion question why we have a personal connection to certain materials and objects.

For “Fetishism. Obsessions in Fashion & Design” Lidewij Edelkoort has defined 10 themes which she thinks have a touch of fetishism to them – from nudism to infantilism, spiritualism, shamanism and consumerism.

100 of the most influential designers in the global design scene have contributed with creations corresponding one of the 10 themes.

**Top**: Aoi Kotsuhiroi, Widow Flower. **Above**: view of the exhibition “Fetishism. Obsessions in Fashion & Design”

The exhibition illustrates the fetish-trend with spectacular garments and intriguing design objects collected around the world, exposing an overwhelming creativity of a new generation of experimental designers who in their works lustfully reuse references from nature, religion, anthropology, society and history, thus building a bridge to a future common consciousness.

Another point addressed by the exhibition is that collecting is a favourite pastime, and that more and more people invest in collections of jackets, shoes and bags as well as curiosities such as shells and skulls. The fetish exists both by virtue of owning the object and the attraction itself: the object has an inherent power – it evokes pleasure, and it can suppress fear. Such objects form quite a special combination between spirit, soul and sexuality.

The exhibition features creations by international designers such as Studio Job, Maarten Baas, Jaime Hayón, Front Design, Rick Owens, Iris van Herpen and Pharell Williams. Danish designers are also represented – including Louise Campbell, Christina Liljenberg Hallstrøm, Christina Schou Christensen, Mathias Bengtsson, Camilla Skovgaard and Gam Fratesi.