The temporary exhibition showcases the influence of the sea and shipping on our wardrobes, featuring historical objects and masterpieces by national and international fashion designers. This multifaceted fashion exhibition at the Maritime Museum connects the maritime past, contemporary fashion, and the sustainable future of clothing.
What do the yellow raincoat, the Breton stripe, and the fisherman's sweater have in common? They all stem from maritime culture and have been a lasting source of inspiration for designers worldwide for decades. The influences of the sea and life on the water are reflected in many wardrobes.
Top designers
Oceanistatakes you on a journey through maritime-inspired designs by international giants like Chanel, Maison Margiela, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Thom Browne, Balmain, Off-White/Virgil Abloh, and Moncler, as well as Dutch designers making a name for themselves with sustainable and distinctive designs. Think Iris van Herpen, Duran Lantink, Botter, Martan, Camiel Fortgens, Darwin Winklaar (Niño Divino), Quiana Cronie, MARCUS ELIZABETH, Fleur Ouwerkerk, Tevin Blancheville, and Yousra Razine Mahrah.
The exhibition reveals how the sea shapes fashion through materials, silhouettes, prints, and symbolism, and demonstrates how designers use these influences to explore themes such as sustainability, heritage, and identity.Oceanista also offers a platform for a broader societal conversation: about what sustainable fashion actually is, and how we can reconcile our need for expression with a cleaner planet.
Oceanista Atelier
A unique element of the exhibition is theOceanista Atelier, developed in collaboration with students from ROC Amsterdam. Here, the focus is on slow fashion: designing timeless, repairable clothing with a minimal ecological footprint. Students will showcase their own designs, give tutorials on traditional crafting techniques, and invite visitors to sketch their own sustainable garments.
Oceanista - Fashion & Seais based on a traveling exhibition concept from the M/S Maritime Museum in Helsingør, Denmark, presented by the exhibition network Expona. For the Dutch edition, the Maritime Museum has enhanced the concept with pieces from its own collection and work by national designers.
Programming
Throughout the exhibition, a variety of events and activities are being organized. You can find more information about the individual components onthis page. In conjunction with Oceanista, the National Maritime Museum is organizing three Fashion Nights on February 6, March 13, and April 3, featuring evening programming, food, and drinks.
Oceanista
Dates and times
Date
Time
Thursday 19 March
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday 20 March
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 21 March
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Accessibility
General accessibility provisions and information
Present, available or allowed
Service dog allowed
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Provisions for people with reduced mobility
Present, available or allowed
Stairs with handrail
Lift
Passageways that are sufficiently wide
Accessible restroom
Mobile payment
Provisions for people who are blind or partially sighted
Present, available or allowed
Sensory experience
Accessible information
Provisions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Present, available or allowed
Open captioning
Provisions for people who require low sensory environments
Present, available or allowed
Hidden disability Sunflower-keycord recognised here
Not present, not available or not allowed
Personal assistant
Guide lines
Hearing loop (t-coil or headphones)
Sign language interpretation provided
Closed captioning
Low stimulus hours
Audio description
Material in Braille
Explanation by Oceanista - Fashion & Sea
For more information about accessibility go to the museum's website
General accessibility provisions and information
Provisions for people with reduced mobility
Provisions for people who are blind or partially sighted
Provisions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Provisions for people who require low sensory environments
