Ronald van der Kemp (born 24 September 1964 in Wijchen, NetherlandsBasu, Michou., "Interview Ronald van der Kemp", Financieel Dagblad, Amsterdam, 1 September 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017) is a Dutch fashion designer and founder of demi-couture fashion house RVDK Ronald van der Kemp,Verner, Amy., "Fall 2016 Couture: Ronald van der Kemp", Vogue.com, New York, 6 July 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017 his namesake label.
Early career Van der Kemp graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy of Art and Design in Amsterdam in 1989 with a BA in fashion design.Maquieira, Marcelo Horacio., "Top International Dutch Fashion Designers", A Shaded View on Fashion, 18 October 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017. His early career took him to major fashion cities Paris, Milan and New York, working as creative director, consultant and chief designer for brands including Bill Blass,Campbell, Amy., "Designer Spotlight. Fashion Name to Know: RVDK", Marie Claire Australia, 12 February 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017. Barneys New York and Guy Laroche, where he succeeded Elbar Albaz.Menkes, Suzy., "Cerruti's Cool 'Futuristic Patchworks'", New York Times, 12 March 1999. 9 January 2017. He also worked at Celine.Bosman, Barbara., "Met trots gepresenteerd: de genomineerden voor de splinternieuwe ELLE Fashion Pro Award", Elle Netherlands, 18 August 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017. It was in these years as a consultant that van der Kemp honed his technical expertise.
Own label In August 2014 van der Kemp launched his demi-couture label, RVDK Ronald van der Kemp, presenting his first ‘wardrobe’ during the Paris haute couture calendar in 2015.Eugénie Trochu, "Meet Ronald van der Kemp", Vogue Paris, 19 February 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2017. Shunning the fashion system’s way of doing things, van der Kemp’s proposed ‘wardrobe’ consisted of a selection of limited-edition items that were seasonless and timeless, ethically made with existing fabrics,Alex Wynne, "RVDK/Ronald van der Kemp Demi-Couture Fall 2016", WWD, 5 July 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017. and crafted by hand in small ateliers in Amsterdam.Fiona Hering, "Ronald van der Kemp maakt kleding die hij zélf leuk vindt", Het Parool, 13 November 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
In a 2021 interview, van der Kemp affirmed that "95 % of the material used for his designs already exists" and described his brand as more of "a movement" than a traditional couture house.
Net-a-Porter, the luxury ecommerce group, was the first retailer to buy van der Kemp’s demi-couture collection,Angelyn Kwek, "First dibs: Net-A-Porter and RVDK/Ronald van der Kemp collaboration", Buro 24/7, 22 February 2016. 9 January 2017. which has since been worn by celebrities including Selena Gomez, Kate Moss,Bregje Lampe, "Modeontwerper Ronald van der Kemp", De Volkskrant, 5 September 2015. 9 January 2017. Lady Gaga,artPOPthatbooty, "Lady Gaga Wears Ronald Van Der Kemp!", Gaga Daily, 28 February 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017. Katy Perry, Dakota Johnson, Adriana LimaErika Harwood, "The Best of the Red Carpet in 2016 Photos", Vanity Fair, 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017., Céline DionOkwodu, Janelle, "Céline Dion Gives Executive Realness a Couture Twist", Vogue, 23 January 2019. and Karlie Kloss.
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