Despina Bampa

June 6th 2008

Age: 31
Nationality: Greek
Occupation: Ballet teacher
In Amsterdam: 1 year

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Working and studying.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Following dance lessons, going to concerts.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture, how the people dress, express themselves?
It is interesting! You can see many different styles. However,
I think that the majority of the people are dressed in a way:
‘I don’t care’. They don’t combine the colors, the materials and
the style of their clothes. I have the feeling that they open their
closet and they pick up their clothes with blind eyes.

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 changed due to practical reasons. It is usually cold
and rainy. Not many choices in the way you can dress yourself!

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Probably yes, but I cannot really specify it.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are represented in Amsterdam?
I didn’t know. It is amazing! At a certain degree it has influenced
the Dutch culture. For example you can eat in so many different
restaurants and you can listen to many different kinds of music.

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.

Christian Degen

June 30th 2008

Age: 29
Nationality: German
Occupation: Graphic designer
In Amsterdam: 1 year

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Love.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Building up my company, playing football in Westerpark, cycling
through town and areas around Amsterdam, going out for dinner,
especially with my girlfriend.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
For sure the most interesting town in the Netherlands, sometimes
cool, sometimes boring, Dutch people are not the most
fashionable people.

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.
Before I moved to Amsterdam I lived in Barcelona so I wear
more warm clothes now. Also, since I live here, I have more
meetings with clients and because of this I wear more
nice shirts.

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
probably say that special things had an influence on me.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
Since my girlfriend is busy with this project I am more aware
of it but Amsterdam always has been an international setting
for me. So many different people give the town a nice
touch, it makes it an attractive city to live in.

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.

Betul

June 8th 2008

Age: 24
Nationality: Turkish, Dutch
Occupation: Student
In Amsterdam: 24 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
I live still at home with my parents. I have three sisters
and one brother. I am studying and working. I want to be
a pedagogue.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Watch football games, listen to music, hanging out with
friends and investigate things.

Younes Mracha

June 8th 2008

Age: 29
Nationality: Maroccan, Dutch
In Amsterdam: 4 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
To find new challenges and because of work.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Sports, enjoying, reading, music and theatre.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Strong and divers.

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 am not aware of any changes but I do think so. Your surroundings
do form a part of you...

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture or
by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
No, not specifically by Amsterdam, I guess it has it’s influence
but there are more factors that have influence like the people
around you and the time you are living in.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I think it has formed Amsterdam now, but also before. The Dutch
people are Calvinistic people who think acceptance is most
important. This made Amsterdam to what it is now, something
unique.