In 1996, I graduated as a fashion designer. Now in 2020, as the Chief Creative Officer at VanMoof, I am helping the world out of their cars and onto bikes. In between, as a Creative Director, I had the privilege to collaborate with amazing talent all over the world for various agencies and brands a.o. Ace & Tate, ASOS, BSUR, G-Star RAW, Heineken, IRIS, MINI, MTV, NIKE, Red Bull, Samsung, Sony, TBWA, VBAT, Wieden + Kennedy. I have created award-winning and banned work. When they let me, I paint relentlessly.
Awards a.o. Cannes Lions, D&AD, ADCN, iF Awards, FWA.
questionnaire
1. What was your very first job?
Mowing lawns on a golf course.
2. Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.
Newly appointed creative director at ASOS - responsible for overseeing all brand communication and together with a global team creatively pushing the boundaries of the industry and guiding the brand into the future. From drawing and painting to studying fashion design, from working for fashion brands to owning a clothing store, from personal illustrations to working for global brands, from Amsterdam to Shanghai to London, since an early age my imagination and creativity has guided me.
3. In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
Be serendipitous. When you look for things to hard you end up in the boring, beige area.
4. If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation it required, rather than its recognition or industry “success,” what would it be?
During my period as a Creative Director at G-Star Raw we created Raw For The Oceans, a collaboration with Pharrell Williams, developing denim product made from recycled ocean plastic and all its integrated communication supporting it. Creative but with purpose - I like.
5. What social media artist are you most influenced by?
I like art that influences social - not defined by its platform.