From 27 September 2025 to 2 March 2026 | Kunsthal Rotterdam will celebrate Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen with Sculpting the Senses, a retrospective exploring her groundbreaking designs. The exhibition runs.
A tribute to innovation in fashion
Kunsthal Rotterdam will host Sculpting the Senses, a major retrospective showcasing the work of Iris van Herpen, one of the most influential fashion designers of her generation. Opening on 27 September 2025, the exhibition brings together over a hundred of her most iconic creations, highlighting the unique fusion of art, science, and fashion that defines her work.
Van Herpen is renowned for pushing the boundaries of haute couture, creating designs that are as much sculptures as they are wearable garments. By incorporating cutting-edge technology such as 3D printing and collaborations with artists, architects, and scientists, she has redefined the possibilities of fashion.
Highlights of the exhibition
Visitors to Sculpting the Senses will encounter some of Van Herpen’s most famous creations, including designs worn by celebrities such as Björk, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé. The exhibition spans her career, showcasing pieces that illustrate her innovative approach to materiality, form, and movement.
The retrospective also delves into Van Herpen’s creative process, revealing how she draws inspiration from natural phenomena, scientific discoveries, and philosophical concepts. Interactive elements and multimedia installations will further immerse visitors in her world, allowing them to experience the sensory and conceptual depth of her work.
Artist talk with Iris van Herpen set for late September
Fashion designer Iris van Herpen will appear at the Kunsthal on Saturday 27 September for an in-depth conversation with writer and fashion journalist Dana Thomas. The talk will explore Van Herpen's craftsmanship and sources of inspiration. The Artist Talk is scheduled from 11.00 to 12.30, and tickets are available via the Kunsthal website as of Tuesday 2 September at 10:00.
Exhibition opens with an early morning breakfast
On the morning of 27 September, Kunsthal and Nationale-Nederlanden will jointly host a breakfast to mark the opening of Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses. The event, titled NN Openingsontbijt, will run from 8.30 to 11.00. Tickets for the breakfast were fully reserved within a single day.
Signed tour offers inclusive experience
A guided tour incorporating sign language will take place on Sunday 12 October. Led by guide Kirsten de Ven, the tour is accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors as well as their hearing companions. The tour will explore the Sculpting the Senses exhibition through visual storytelling and gestures. Further information is available on kunsthal.nl/activiteiten.
KunstKoppels promotes intergenerational dialogue
The Kunsthal will host KunstKoppels on Tuesday 11 November, inviting visitors to experience the Iris van Herpen exhibition alongside someone from a different generation, background or lifestyle. The aim is to encourage connection through shared cultural experiences. More details will be published on the Kunsthal’s website in the coming weeks.
Monthly Friday night events return to Kunsthal
The Kunsthal’s Friday Night LIVE returns every third Friday of the month, featuring programmes curated by local cultural partners. Two editions—19 December with De Wasserij and 20 February with Fashion in Flux—will be dedicated to the Sculpting the Senses exhibition. On these evenings, the exhibitions will remain open to visitors until 22.00.
A fusion of art and fashion
Van Herpen’s designs challenge traditional notions of fashion, blurring the lines between art, science, and design. Her work often explores themes such as transformation, interconnectedness, and the limits of the human body. By collaborating with experts in fields ranging from robotics to biology, she creates garments that are not only visually stunning but also intellectually engaging.
An international collaboration
The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and Maison Iris van Herpen, ensuring a comprehensive and meticulously curated presentation. Kunsthal Rotterdam’s role in hosting this retrospective underscores its commitment to showcasing groundbreaking creativity and innovation.
Visiting Kunsthal Rotterdam
The Sculpting the Senses exhibition will be held in Hall 2 of Kunsthal Rotterdam, located in the Museumpark. Easily accessible by public transport, the Kunsthal is a short walk from Eendrachtsplein metro station. For those travelling by car, parking is available at Museumpark Garage.
The Museumpark area, a vibrant cultural hub in Rotterdam, is home to several other museums, making it an ideal destination for a full day of exploration.
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