KOORKAPPEN Project

KOORKAPPEN Project (Chior robes project)
In cooperation with Heiligdomsvaart Maastricht 2018

In 2011, FASHIONCLASH presented the ‘Fashion Procession’ project in cooperation with Heiligdomsvaart Maastricht. In this Fashion Procession models showed the designs inspired by liturgical garments in a parade through the city of Maastricht and accompanied by live music. 7 years later, a brand new project KOORKAPPEN is initiated and will be presented with a Fashion Procession in May 2018, followed by an exhibition at Bonnefantenmuseum during the 10th edition of FASHIONCLASH Festival.
Nowadays, when we look at the city of Maastricht we are still confronted with its catholic identity on every corner. The tires between the church and Maastricht’ society are becoming more and more loose, but the catholic ‘culture pattern’ in the city continues to exist. The identity of the city as a religious center and pilgrim city is still alive. The ‘Rich Roman life’, the beauty and splendor, the processions and liturgical robes are still there. Half a century ago, the people of Maastricht were part of the Heiligdomsvaart celebration and they were actively involved from their personal religious conviction. The two previous editions (2004, 2011) were more ‘watch festivities’ for the majority of the population and the occasional visitors. Nowadays, it is mainly a celebration of cultural heritage.

That is exactly the starting point for the KOORKAPPEN (choir robes) project, a cooperation between FASHIONCLASH and Heligdomsvaart Maastricht. Designers are invited to create a new design inspired by the historical choir robes and their meaning. The basilica of Saint Servaas is in possession of a number of very beautiful 18th century choir robes made of rich fabrics, decorated with the most precious materials and often with beautiful embroidery depicting religious representations. Choir robes have been worn through the ages by priests who preside over the service and carry their mercy to the people in word and thought.

Especially for the designers in this project the basilica of Saint Servaas will reveal these treasures so they can serve as inspiration? For this, each designer was assigned one of the choir robes as a source of inspiration. How does the new generation look at a traditional and religious subject?



The KOORKAPPEN Project will be shown on Sunday the 6th of May by means of a Fashion Process in the city centre and then exhibited during the FASHIONCLASH Festival in the Bonnefantenmuseum. In this exhibition, the original 18th century robes will be presented alongside the new designs.

Participating designers: Marlou Breuls, Ebby Port, Laurie Bessems, Tiel Janssen, Lise van Wetten, Bregje Cox, Jolieke Kessels, Karlijn Krijger, Iris Cleassens, Mona Steinhauser, Julia Aumann

Heiligdomsvaart takes place once in 7 years. This year, the 55th edition will take place. The first went through Maastricht in 1391, the last in 2011. In a sanctuary procession relics (clothing, objects or remains) of the saints are presented to the people. Heiligdomsvaart Maastricht is the most famous in the Netherlands and attracts many visitors.

For more info: www.heiligdomsvaartmaastricht.nl