msterdam transforms into a living runway as a six-day fashion fête bridges urban edge and haute couture. A celebration of innovation, inclusivity, community, and style from August 30 to September 4, 2025.

The Spirit of AFW 2025

Amsterdam Fashion Week (AFW) 2025 arrives with a bold theme – “Street to Couture” – that speaks to the city’s eclectic fashion soul. As AFW CEO Danie Bles explains, “From street to couture is more than a theme. It captures the full scope of what Amsterdam Fashion Week stands for”. This guiding vision is about bridging the urban and the elite, spotlighting fashion in all its forms – from streetwear’s edgy creativity to the refined artistry of couture – and showcasing talents at every stage. Indeed, this year’s lineup places cult streetwear labels like Daily Paper and Filling Pieces alongside the craftsmanship of couture house Ronald van der Kemp (RVDK), while shining a light on emerging brands such as YUME YUME and B.B. Wallace, exemplifying the broad spectrum from up-and-coming designers to iconic names.

The result is a six-day program with more than 50 runway shows, presentations, installations, talks, and workshops city-wide. Fashion spills out of traditional venues and into the streets, museums, and even canals of Amsterdam, turning the city itself into a catwalk. AFW’s ongoing partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week underscores its forward-looking ethos – their joint opening dinner has become a symbol of shared values, with sustainability as a foundation for growth. “Together we aim to build a shared platform where sustainability is the foundation, not just a value but a direction forward,” Bles notes, emphasizing how community and connection are at the heart of this edition. In short, AFW 2025 is poised to inspire not only industry insiders but anyone with a passion for style, blending street swagger with couture elegance in a way only Amsterdam can.

‍

‍

Runway Highlights & Designer Debuts

The AFW 2025 schedule is studded with events that capture the imagination – from avant-garde debuts to the return of renowned fashion houses – all unified by the “Street to Couture” spirit. The excitement kicks off over the opening weekend with a striking example of fashion as empowerment: Pauline Blind, a recent graduate of the prestigious Lichting talent program, unveils her first collection “Blasphemous Bodies.” Shown on Saturday night, this daring line reclaims female bodily autonomy through emotionally charged designs that merge hyper-femininity with female rage. In Blind’s pieces, softness and fury collide – an artistic statement “using fashion as a tool to question patriarchal structures and empower women by creating a tension of elegance and boldness”. It’s a feminist roar on the runway, setting an unapologetic tone for the week. That same night, the afterparty scene ignites as the fashion crowd flows into an exclusive bash at the iconic club Jimmy Woo, joining creative collective 90CIG to kick off the week’s nightlife with high energy – a hint of the after-hours glamour threaded throughout AFW.

Come Monday, the city’s historic center becomes a backdrop for style spectacles. Cult streetwear brand Filling Pieces makes a triumphant return to the AFW schedule with a show that quite literally elevates street culture: their performance, titled “Rhythm as the City’s Pulse,” will unfold above Dam Square, treating onlookers to a skyline runway that echoes the city’s heartbeat. The theme “United by Rhythm” suggests fashion synchronized with Amsterdam’s vibrant street life – an emblem of how urban music, movement, and style converge in this edition. In contrast, Dutch couturier Ronald van der Kemp (RVDK) – known for his upcycled couture – offers a thoughtful mid-week intermezzo. On Tuesday, RVDK eschews a conventional catwalk for a conceptual “DO-tank,” presenting a hopeful artistic statement in collaboration with a children’s art biennale. This creative installation blurs art, fashion, and activism, reminding attendees that couture can carry a social message. It’s a prime example of AFW’s inventive format: one moment a designer is staging a show in a grand museum garden, the next another is hosting a collaborative art happening on a public square.

One of the most anticipated designer debuts arrives Tuesday afternoon, when footwear-turned-fashion label YUME YUME makes its runway premiere. YUME YUME has captivated insiders with its sculptural shoes, and now it steps fully into the spotlight with “Flora Fantasia,” a complete ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The show’s setting – the manicured garden of the Willet-Holthuysen Museum – promises an ethereal ambiance as models weave through the Parisian-style parterre amid blooming creativity. YUME YUME’s vision of head-to-toe looks, from avant-garde footwear to apparel, embodies the bridge between playful street-inspired design and elevated craftsmanship. Later that evening, the brand will toast its debut with an exclusive cocktail party at a chic venue (tuftuf), co-hosted by Grey Goose, where VIP guests will mingle among artful installations – until midnight, when the doors swing open for the wider fashion community to join the celebration. This inclusive afterparty twist – starting as a closed affair and ending as an open invitation – perfectly mirrors AFW’s democratic ethos: fashion for all, from insiders to the public.

AFW 2025 also welcomes the return of venerable names and the continuation of beloved traditions. On Thursday’s closing day, Belgian maison Natan graces the schedule, bringing a touch of classic couture to Amsterdam. Natan’s new collection is described as “a graceful evolution of classic couture and ready-to-wear rooted in Belgian craftsmanship and contemporary femininity” – a reminder that the week’s streetwear edge is balanced by timeless elegance.

‍

‍

Another heritage highlight is Lichting 2025, the annual runway showdown of the Netherlands’ top fashion graduates. Before the main Lichting show on Wednesday, last year’s winner Peter Wertmann will present “Last Refuge,” a haunting pre-show collection that imagines how people might dress for an impending societal collapse. It’s an eerie, thought-provoking concept – models carrying the weight of a world in peril – yet it underscores the inventive storytelling that AFW nurtures. When the ten new Lichting finalists show their creations to an international jury later that day, expect bold ideas and boundary-pushing designs. After all, nurturing emerging talent is in AFW’s DNA, and the Lichting prize (which includes funding and a future AFW spotlight) often heralds the industry’s next big names.

Rounding out the week’s marquee shows are a slew of innovative presentations reflecting Amsterdam’s multicultural, avant-garde flair. Designer Camiel Fortgens, for instance, will present his collection not on a runway but in the city streets – a public space in central Amsterdam where his clothes “instinctively belong” among everyday people and urban architecture. Fortgens’ work, known for its raw-edged tailoring and subversive take on wardrobe classics, draws inspiration from familiar American vintage pieces, combining laid-back luxury with edgy authenticity. Meanwhile, Brussels-based label 11PM Studio brings its take on tailored streetwear uniforms for “urban explorers,” adding an international street-couture crossover to Tuesday’s lineup. And mid-week, rising menswear designer B.B. Wallace (one of the emerging talents Bles highlighted) offers insiders a different kind of runway experience: an intimate press-breakfast presentation at a rustic farmstead on the edge of the city. There, amid an unexpectedly pastoral backdrop, Wallace will unveil his latest collection – a moment of calm craftsmanship before the day’s high-fashion rush. This mix of venues and vibes, from open-air plazas to secret gardens and industrial clubs, ensures that no two shows at AFW 2025 will feel the same. Each designer is given license to express their unique point of view, making the schedule a rich tapestry of style that truly runs from street to couture.

‍

‍

Sustainability, Inclusivity & Innovation

Beneath the glamour and excitement, Amsterdam Fashion Week 2025 is driven by a clear sense of purpose. Sustainability, inclusivity, community, and innovation aren’t just buzzwords here – they are the very values that shape the event’s identity. AFW has woven these principles into its schedule in meaningful ways, making the week as conscientious as it is chic. Take sustainability: the conversation around ethical fashion is front and center. On Monday, upcycling label 1/OFF teams with the City of Amsterdam to unveil a public installation at Beursplein that reveals “the hidden impact of clothing” and advocates for circular alternatives to fast fashion.

‍

‍

This thought-provoking exhibit, part of the city’s Wear for Life campaign, invites passersby to reflect on consumption and responsibility in style. Later that night, the Patchwork Family collective brings sustainability to the dance floor with “The Grand Family Affair.” This vibrant showcase at Paradiso unites ten young designers devoted to upcycled fashion, who, alongside a cast of performers, turn discarded materials into expressive couture on stage. It all culminates in a sweaty, joyful late-night afterparty – proving that sustainability at AFW is anything but stuffy. It’s celebratory, communal, and yes, downright fun.

Inclusivity and community go hand in hand throughout the week. AFW 2025 consciously creates space for diverse voices and subcultures: from the modest fashion entrepreneurs highlighted at Maison Modeste to the celebration of Black Amsterdam fashion narratives in the multi-sensory project The Ways of Water. Notably, The Ways of Water event (an evening of film, music, and fashion honoring Black creatives) concludes with a club night organized by local collective The Gang Is Beautiful, reinforcing that community storytelling is integral to the week’s fabric. The outreach goes beyond designers to encompass consumers and creatives at large – many events are open to the public upon registration, lowering the barrier between the fashion industry and enthusiasts. Even the partnership with Copenhagen Fashion Week, toasted at the exclusive opening dinner, speaks to community on a global scale: two cities coming together to advance a more sustainable and inclusive future for fashion.

Finally, innovation is the electricity sparking through AFW 2025, thanks in part to boundary-pushing collaborations with the tech world. In a first, AFW’s official opening night dinner (held on the prestigious Museum Square) will feature Google’s Pixel 10 as an honorary guest of sorts – the smartphone’s latest AI features will be employed to “bring an evening of fashion, colour, and innovation to life in a creative and unexpected way”. Hints of what this means – AI-generated visuals? Interactive styling experiences? – have insiders buzzing, and it underscores how technology is redefining fashion showcases. Later in the week, the worlds of high-tech and high-style converge at StyleAI’s exclusive showroom, where the Amsterdam-based fashion tech startup joins forces with creative collective The Collectives. Billed as an event where “AI, fashion and community collide,” this showcase will offer a first look at a next-gen AI styling tool, complete with live demos, future-forward conversations, music and drinks. Imagine algorithms acting as personal stylists, or digital art generated in real time from fashion trends – it’s a peek into how artificial intelligence might augment the creative process, all in a chic party setting. Even on the retail front, tech makes an appearance: beloved streetwear brand Daily Paper teams up with Google Pixel for an in-store experience merging style with cutting-edge gadgetry. Attendees can expect digital installations and interactive moments that infuse shopping with an innovative, creative energy. With experiments like these, AFW demonstrates a commitment to embracing innovation not as a novelty, but as a natural extension of fashion’s evolution.

Crucially, none of these values exist in isolation – they’re intertwined throughout the week. AFW’s concept stores and talks educate as they entertain; its runways celebrate heritage and innovation side by side; its parties bring together people from all walks of life. The overall vibe is one of “responsible revelry”: the idea that you can enjoy the thrill of fashion week while also championing causes like sustainability and diversity. This balance of glamour with conscience is very much in the Amsterdam spirit. As Danie Bles puts it, 2025’s edition “brings together Street & Couture” through community and connection, hoping to inspire everyone who takes part – whether it’s a top editor, a young design student, or a curious member of the public.

After-Hours & Artistic Collaborations

No fashion week would be complete without its share of behind-the-scenes exclusives and late-night allure, and AFW 2025 is no exception. In the hazy afterglow of each day’s events, Amsterdam’s nights come alive with style and celebration. Hushed invitations circulate for private dinners and label parties: rumor has it that Dutch brand Aaiko will fete its 20th anniversary with an invitation-only dinner at an artist’s atelier, and Vogue’s Downtown program promises chic boutique parties along P.C. Hooftstraat’s luxury row. Throughout the week, a constellation of afterparties and soirees keeps fashion insiders mingling with Amsterdam’s creative scene – from the official AFW x 90CIG kickoff at Jimmy Woo to Grey Goose-infused cocktails at YUME YUME’s after-show fête, and a closing night denim party hosted by Levi’s and ELLE that will see the city’s style setters dancing in their iconic 501s. These events, often held in hidden clubs and stylish speakeasies, add an exclusive sparkle to the week’s itinerary. They’re the kind of parties where DJs spin well past midnight, couture gowns meet streetwear sneakers on the dance floor, and new collaborations are born over clinking glasses.

Collaboration, in fact, is another theme running through AFW’s evening and art programming. Many brands are seizing the fashion week moment to unveil creative partnerships that blend worlds. On Tuesday, whiskey label Suntory teams up with streetwear collective The New Originals to launch a limited-edition T-shirt, fusing Japanese craft spirits with Amsterdam urban fashion in a collaboration that highlights shared passions for creativity and craftsmanship. Later in the week, conceptual fashion studio RECONSTRUCT joins forces with heritage laundry brand Fleuril to present a capsule of repurposed garments – demonstrating how sustainability can become an imaginative collaboration between unlikely partners. Even established fashion houses engage in artistic pairings: Atelier Reservé, known for upcycled couture, is rolling out a quirky showcase featuring legendary eyewear by Cazal, while womenswear label BONNE collaborates with artist Bart Lunenburg on “The Carpenter,” a hybrid collection and art exhibition exploring craftsmanship in fashion. Each of these collabs adds depth to the week, be it through a collectible product, an experiential event, or an artistic statement that complements the designer’s own vision. And for those lucky enough to attend, they offer a chance to snag limited pieces or witness creative synergy in action – the kind of insider thrills that fashion lovers cherish.

As the final night falls, Amsterdam Fashion Week 2025 will wrap up not with a quiet farewell, but with a festive finale worthy of the week’s electric energy. Co-hosted by Levi’s and ELLE magazine, the closing party invites the style crowd to celebrate in head-to-toe denim, reflecting on the week’s most memorable moments amid champagne toasts and DJ beats. It’s the culmination of a journey that has taken guests from street to couture and back again – a journey filled with style, substance, and the inimitable charm of Amsterdam.

In the end, this CINCH Magazine preview only scratches the surface of what AFW 2025 has in store. The true magic will be in the details: the swirl of a couture gown on a canal-side runway, the buzz of a crowd at a streetwear drop, the insight from a panel discussion that sparks a new idea, or the sight of Amsterdam’s creative community coming together under the late summer sun. One thing is certain: for six days, the Dutch capital will live up to its heritage as a fashion hub where anything can happen. From the pavement to the palace, from subversive new voices to established visionaries, Amsterdam Fashion Week 2025 promises a stylish adventure that transcends the traditional runway. As the city opens its doors to this grand “Street to Couture” pageant, both fashion insiders and the general public are invited to join the revelry – to celebrate not just fashion in its highest form, but fashion as a living, inclusive, and endlessly inspiring force. Get ready to immerse yourself in a week where street style and couture fantasy walk hand in hand, and the only dress code is a passion for fashion.

‍