Michael van der Ham

Michael van der Ham is a Central Saint Martins MA graduate. His collection is completely opposite from being dull and he finds innovative ways to make his collection exciting. The solo designer said “The idea of mixing different elements always influences.” This is obvious throughout his SS2011 collection. He founds himself going to the Central Saint Martins libraries and V&A museum to look for inspiration for his forth coming ideas.




Michael van der Ham makes his collection give the impression of being a type of moodboard that has many different ideas thrown onto it. However if this was the case the pieces would not look so polished and finished. Although, the way in which he creates his pieces the garments look juxtaposed within themselves, they somehow oddly work together. His use of paneling and placing seams in the not so conventional places give the collection an edge. With each paneling there is a different block of colour, fabric, texture and print, which makes it exciting to look at and feel. Michael van der Ham uses a pallete neutral tones of peachy nudes, pastel pinks, bright candy tones, steal grey, with navy and cool blues, and mustard yellow. His choice of colours add to the collection as it catches the eye. 

His silhouettes range from mismatched knee length dresses, to full classically tailored trousers. Michael van der Ham defines the female waist by creating pieces with a high waist. Although some of his clothes are loose fitted they still show an abundance of sophistication. He makes his dresses full of drape, gathers and textures using a combination of different fabrics such as satin, jersey lame and velvet devores. This in unison of his print make his collection look subtly regal. The garments are floaty, feminine in the form as they are almost body cons and yet shows classiness.

Michael van der Ham  said, “I like to mismatch different references in each item of clothing. My autumn/winter 2009 collection is a juxtaposition of elements from different decades in fashion. I made each dress like a 3D collage of clashing colours, textures, weights of fabric and cut.”

Stocklist at Liberty London