Tess van Zalinge - keurslijf
In celebration of her 10-year anniversary, fashion designer Tess van Zalinge offers a personal insight into her creative process and her vision of fashion as art.


This autumn will see the opening of fashion designer Tess van Zalinge’s first solo exhibition. Laced Tight marks the culmination of her tenth-anniversary celebrations and offers a personal insight into her creative process, inspiration and vision of the fashion world. Central to this exhibition is the aim of restoring an appreciation for fashion and redefining the relationship between people and clothing. Laced Tight holds special significance for Van Zalinge: in 2017, the Centraal Museum became the first museum to acquire one ofher designs. Ten years later, she returns with new designs, including works from her anniversary collection, which have never before been exhibited in a museum. In addition, together with fashion curator Ninke Bloemberg, she has selected hidden gems from the Centraal Museum’s fashion collection, which engage in a dialogue with her own work.
Collaboration
Collaboration and bringing often invisible labour to the forefront form a key theme in Tess van Zalinge’s work. In Laced Tight, she literally opens the doors of her studio to show just how many people are behind a fashion collection. She also creates space for young creators who inspire her. For instance, she invited artist and designer Tenant of Culture, artist Romy Yedidia and designer Gijs van Herwaarden to share their perspectives on the fashion system.
You can also become part of the creative process. For Laced Tight, we are collecting white buttons in all shapes and sizes. You can donate them at the museum café until 12 December. Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to contribute to a collaborative artwork.
On display in De Verdieping
Keurslijf will be on display in De Verdieping from December 12, 2026. For De Verdieping, we invite artists, designers, and collectives to present their own work in relation to the Centraal Museum's collection. De Verdieping is located on the second floor of the former Agnietenklooster.
Visit as a member
Visit Keurslijf, other exhibitions and activities as a Friend of the museum, member of Club Centraal or Cirkel Centraal.
Image credit: Campaign image with design from the anniversary collection keurslijf
Designer: Tess van Zalinge
Photography Paul Kooiker
Assistent: Loes de Boer
Production: Buro Babet
Model: Maaike Klaassen
Make-up: Kathinka Gernant
Hair: Sophie Wortelboer
