Marc Andrews

August 7th 2008

Age: 30
Nationality: Swiss, British
Occupation: Graphic Design
In Amsterdam: 2 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
After living in Nijmegen and Utrecht for a couple of years
I thought it was time for a city. I am now building up my own
graphic design studio with a friend in the city center. I love
it, Amsterdam forms a good base.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Riding the bike through the streets, going to expositions,
going out, working.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
I like Amsterdam’s street culture and watching all different kind
of people; it is very multi cultural. Well dressed people; funky,
groovy and experimental. I think the variety in clothes also comes
because of all the foreign youngsters invading Amsterdam for
holiday.

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. Just my collection of tracksuit tops exploded.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I like wearing ‘klompen’...just joking.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
Yes, I knew and it’s a good fact about Amsterdam. It makes
it a special place, this high density of cultures on a limited space.
Amsterdam is less Dutch than other cities here in the Netherlands,
that makes it unique.

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.

Jason Adam Fulton

June 18th 2008

Age: 37 [dammit!!]
Nationality: Londoner, British
Occupation: Nike Change Agent
In Amsterdam: 6 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
To work for Nike, & get the hell out of London for a while.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Hanging out with mates...dj-ing when I can in Amsterdam,
people watching, gotta see events...just gotta.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Followers, most of the trends picked up on are at least 9 months
behind London. There are fashionably few, who are on it, with
a London, or Stockholm style, but generally, people in Amsterdam
play it VERY safe.

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.
Amsterdam has not affected my style. I’ve always been an
individual & I still prefer to look at London, Paris or NYC rather
than AMS.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
What I appreciate about AMS, is the immediacy of everything.
If you commit to doing something, [event-hopping/socializing]
it’s easy to do in AMS...LDN, was a nightmare!

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures
are represented in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is not as integrated, as that number seems to suggest
in my opinion. It has a long way to go, to make cultures feel
that they can flourish, without feeling alienated & ostracized.