Marianne Vanderwilt

Leather Without Limits

Marianne Vanderwilt is an established Dutch designer who creates original garments in leather. In the last decade, she has acquired a loyal coterie of discerning devotees in fashion-savvy capitals from Paris to Stockholm, London to Copenhagen: from judges to journalists, pop stars, versatile moms, and hip women of every age who appreciate her timeless yet edgy perspective.

Her fascination with leather continues to evolve, especially with the unlimited possibilities of nappalon. “Leather is the clay I use to mold the collection, which I use like other fabric, challenging its perceived limitations.”  In her recent collections for Europe, she has innovatively combined leather with antique kimonos from Japan, as well as with knit and high tech fabric.

Vanderwilt was previously affiliated with Barbara Kramer (of D&A) and her garments were available in exclusive mode emporiums from Henri Bendel to Fred Segal. She is making a welcome reentry into the US market after taking a hiatus to restructure the company she operates with her brother Coen (following an ill-fated expansion effort with the wrong business partner), and says: “We have chosen to scale back to realistic proportions that reflect our family values and creative signature. Returning to New York City is like a ‘homecoming’ which I await with pleasure. I get enormous energy from the city itself, as well as from the people. It is stimulating both personally and professionally. And the timing is right.”