Beyond the Dresscode

What does it mean to find your style, and yourself, between Caribbean and Dutch cultures?

On the Dutch Caribbean islands, style comes with rules like church protocols, community expectations and the pressure to fit a certain mold. Moving to the Netherlands, or elsewhere abroad, opens up a world of options. But it also brings new questions: Who am I without those rules? How do I stay connected to my roots while exploring new ways of expressing myself? We're bringing together creatives who live this tension every day. Designers, stylists, and visionaries navigating between two worlds, two beauty standards, and two very different ideas of what fashion should be. We'll explore the shift from "bo no ta bisti kos di hende" to thrifting and upcycling, and the courage it takes to experiment in a small community. We'll also tackle the bigger question: what does beauty mean in the Caribbean vs. the Netherlands, and who gets to define it?

Pop out and show out for a night of connection, culture and conversation!

accessories from Dutch Caribbean brands and makers. More info on the pop-up market will be shared soon!

In this programme Goldiie Creative Director, Designer and Stylist [https://www.instagram.com/bygoldiie/] Quiana Cronie Multidisciplinary Designer [https://www.instagram.com/quiana_cronie/] John Brooks Founder & Director, Brooks Modeling Agency BV [https://www.brooksmodelingagency.com/] Charlevienne Ortela Nail-tech and Entrepeneur [https://www.instagram.com/zjilea/]

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Goldiie is a Curaçaoan-Bonairian multidisciplinary artist, creative director, and jewelry designer. Her work explores themes of beauty, identity, memory, and transformation. Moving between design, fashion, film, and education, she draws deeply from her Caribbean heritage. By bringing together personal stories, cultural elements, and different artistic disciplines, Goldiie creates her own layered visual language.

Founded in 2012 by St. Maarten‐born, Amsterdam‐based John Brooks, Brooks Modeling Agency has grown from a boutique into an international player with offices in Amsterdam, Milan, and Paris. Driven by instinct and a passion for discovering talent beyond conventional beauty, Brooks takes a personal, hands‐on approach to nurturing individuality and building global careers. Today, its diverse roster works across the fashion industry, while its core philosophy remains unchanged: recognise potential, give opportunity, and make individuality stand out.

Quiana Cronie is an Aruban multidisciplinary designer exploring storytelling through visual design and fashion. Inspired by Aruba's forgotten narratives, she translates stories into visual worlds, textures, and wearables. Her work bridges past and present, preserving and reimagining the island's stories for future generations.

Founded June 2024 by Curaçao-rooted creative Charlevienne Ortela, ZJILEA crafts press-on nails as wearable…