The Dutch design collective Painted Series, established by Saskia van Drimmelen (1968) and theatre director Margreet Sweerts (1959), has been making its name with its ever increasing series of clothing, which they present when they are ready - not in compliance with the fashion season - since 2006. “Traditional techniques are given a new lease of life which vaguely refers to couture,” is how they describe their process. Working together is essential, as the collaboration with expert artisans in Bulgaria and Native American bead embroiderers proves. Passing a garment from generation to generation creates unique new designs from a layering of knowledge that unites many different signatures. The passing of time has given each garment its own story; it has not been designed, but has ‘grown’. This wedding dress is a specific example: started by Margreet Sweerts and Desiree Hammen, passed on to Bulgarian needlepoint lace expert Magdalina Toneva and finished off by Saskia van Drimmelen herself. Van Drimmelen first made her name, nationally and internationally, in the 1990’s. She realised around 2000 that she no longer felt at home in the controlling world of fashion. Painted Series is the result of a longing to collaborate, in sharing the joy of making.