Jan Clemens Hoek: A Rising Star
You may not recognise this fresh-faced young gentleman, but the person you are looking at is one of the fashion industy’s most talented and fabulously daring individuals. Fabulous, because his fashion sense is impeccable, and daring because at the tender age of 19, Jan Clemens Hoek has become one (if not the) youngest entrepreneur to have opened his own luxury-line boutique (and to have earned a mention in the renowned publication that is the International Herald Tribune ). His scrumptious loft-like space in the Hague, L’Empress, is filled with the latest garments and accessories from Fendi through to Jil Sander and everything in between. We catch up with this fascinating individual and rising star to discover a little corner of his incredible world…
What prompted you to open such a fabulous boutique at such a fabulously young age?
Basically, I thought all of the existing Dutch fashion boutiques were rather boring and predictable, season after season. At a certain point things became more serious and I had to decide between my studies or opening my own store. Not only did opening a store seem more attractive, I felt it was the right time to do so as well. Until today, I’ve had absolutely no regrets.
You have recently been to
I liked many collections but only few managed to leave me truly speechless. I thought Yves Saint Laurent was a brilliant collection, all of the looks were very strong without ever compromising on wearability. Stefano Pilati really understands women and what they want to be dressed like. For me, it was his best collection for the house so far. Another delightful collection was Lanvin, where Alber Elbaz showed understated luxury at its best. The younger designers were hardly disappointing either; I loved Marios Schwab, Christopher Kane, Rodarte and many more. Because they stay true to themselves, it makes their work much more personal and therefore very unique.
What has been the most demandingly bizarre request from your clients?
We have a customer who lives in
What one celebrity would absolutely love to have as your client? Why?
Natalie Portman, mainly because I’d love to speak to her. She seems like someone who has actually interesting things to say. Her great sense of style doesn’t hurt either.
The city you have absolutely fallen in love with?
It has to be Paris. I think I spend about a month per year there and it truly feels like a second home.
To be in vogue is to be…
yourself.
Photograph courtesy of Jan Clemens Hoek
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Jan Clemens Hoek is the most fabulous man in the industry for sure.