Sophia de Hoog

June 20th 2008

Age: 16
Nationality: Dutch
Occupation: High school student
In Amsterdam: 12 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
My family and I were living in Leiden but then my mother wanted
to go to the theatre academy in Amsterdam, so we moved here.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Sitting in the vondelpark and make funny movies and edit them.
The most I love to go shopping in vintage stores, I can walk
around in them for hours. I always find unique clothes and shoes.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
The clothing in Amsterdam is part of the reason I love it here so
much. Everybody has a different style and dares to actually wear
it! Most people respect each other’s style. I think that is special,
you are never bored here because of the different styles. I am
almost never afraid to be myself.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here, and
because of what? These can be emotional, cultural reasons
or practical reasons such as weather or availability.
Yes, it has definitely changed! I am sure that if I had still lived
in Leiden I would have looked very different. Amsterdam really
inspired me.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I sure am. I now own certain pieces of clothing that I would
have never liked before. Because of Amsterdam I have come
to respect more clothing styles.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
Gosh! I didn’t know that! But you can see it everywhere. I think
it has happened slowly. First came the restaurants from different
cultures and now also shops and clothing. I think the more different
people come to Amsterdam, the more influence it has. You
can see it everywhere in each case and that makes Amsterdam
very cosy and social.