Q Hisashi Shibata

July 30th 2008

Age: 36
Nationality: Japanese
Occupation: Artist
In Amsterdam: 7 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
To study.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Playing football.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
It’s casual and easy going. But I miss elegance and extraordinary
looking people.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here, and
because of what, these can be emotional, cultural reasons
or and practical reasons such as weather or availability?
I start not to care about how other people look at my way of
dressing. I could wear any kind of easy outfit, but I don’t put in
so much effort and don’t spend money for it. On the other hand
I start to customise it. The weather has affected it a lot. I never
wear laser shoes here because the rain.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Not so much by the Dutch culture. I think Dutch culture is pretty
neutral, it does not have a strong colour. But I am influenced
by Dutch mentality. They are super individualistic .

Sina Khani

July 30th 2008

Age: 26
nationality: Iranian
occupation: artist
In Amsterdam: 5 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Fame

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
walking, reading, swimming

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Too good to be true.

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.
No.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Yes!

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented?
I thought it was 198 or 199. Well, somebody must have lied to me. AGAIN! Hm, yes, sure, Amsterdam must be very much effected by this "fact". I mean, in a very positive sense. Everything is nice. Shalom.

Rosa Lekatompessy

June 28th 2008

Age: 11
Nationality: Indonesian, Dutch
Occupation: Still going to school
In Amsterdam: I was born here.

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
My parents did!

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Playing violin, dancing flamenco and horse riding,
writing and drawing designing dresses.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
It is funny that there are so many different people and things,
it is also interesting because of the different styles;
gothic, hippies etc.

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.
Now is the moment that I am busy to develop my own style
and I like it to find my own style.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Maybe I am, it is difficult to say now, but afterwards I can.
I like the hair of my friend, she is from Ghana.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I did not know that it are so many, it is just normal for me.
If I was searching for it, it would make me alert on it but now
it is just the way it is.

Najam Murad Kahn

June 26th 2008

nationality: Pakistani
occupation: bollywood actor

Franciscus van der Meer

June 18th 2008

Age: 26
Nationality: Indonesian, Dutch
Occupation: Fashion Designer
In Amsterdam: 5 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Creativity (my own as well of the town).

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Hanging out in one of the thousands of bars with my friends.
Reading. Searching for shoes and art books in the city.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
I love the freedom everyone takes, koorballen as well as
the young creative’s.

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.
My style changed because I learned to create a vision on fashion
for myself as a designer as well as myself as an individual.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I am influenced by myself, Parisian and London fashion and
my good friends.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures
are represented in Amsterdam?
I like the eclectic touch of it all. Especially when things mix.
Let’s hope it brings more respect and laisse-faire in the streets.

David Golek

June 9th 2008

Nationality: Israeli
Occupation: Musician
In Amsterdam: Irregularly since 1997

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Girl friend.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Tango, massage, writing stories.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
As for normal citizens, quite politically correct. As for sport
fans of the national team: Fantastic

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, mostly because of climate change, and therefore I started
to explore new ways for dressing up.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Not specially. I assume one is always a bit influenced by the
place one lives, unconsciously.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I knew that there are many many cultures in Amsterdam, and
this fact is very inspiring. Then you really don’t understand why
some countries are at war...I think that everyone in Amsterdam
benefits from this fact, both Dutch and foreigners, and this gives
an example to the world on how cultures may have differences,
but without having to fight one another because of it. Every place
has it’s tensions though, in some neighborhoods more than
others, but Amsterdam as a whole is rather a success story,
in this regard.

Puneet Seistani

June 8th 2008

Age: 26
Country of origin: Indian, Dutch
Occupation: Businessman
In Amsterdam: Since 26 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
I was born here.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
My work is my only hobby and passion.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Amsterdam is full of cultures. Every culture has its own way of
dressing. So in short they have a stylish sort of dressing sense.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture or
by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I love my culture.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam being very rich in cultures cannot be influenced.
Because Amsterdam has so many cultures that you need at
least 1 culture to influence the other one and this place has
177 cultures so Amsterdam has its own culture which people
come to see and those who migrate here they know what
Amsterdam is full of. That’s what i think and i can say.

Sebastiaan Mingface Duong

may 17th 2008

Age: 37
Nationality: Chinese, Dutch
Occupation: Artist, Mingface
In Amsterdam: Since 97

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Nice city: gay minded and especially creative and sparkling.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Good food, play tennis and sailing in boats.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
The street culture is very diverse in style. That colorful diversity
is very stimulating for designers and envigours the street’s
appearance.

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.
I don’t really have one style, but I do think that the influences
from the street influence my way of dressing. It changed a bit
but not that much.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture or
by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I can’t really say, It’s better to say that I have inherited the Dutch
culture: a big amount of friendliness and a healthy down to earth
mind.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I think I broadened the boarders of tolerance. In spite of some
very extreme cultures the presence of such a diversity of
cultures brings a lot of inspiration, pleasure and joi de vivre.