name: Guido Kerssens
Istagram ID: @Guidokerssens
Daily work: Fashion & Denim teacher
Who are you and what are you doing within the (denim) industry?
I am a teacher and coordinator at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where I teach about construction and Production, with a specialization on Denim. I co-coordinate the Minor Denim together with Jo Watson, a very inspiring and wonderful colleague. With the Denim team we run this Minor in close collaboration with brands s.a. Tommy Hilfiger, Denham and Koi, but also with suppliers and mills like Candiani Denim, YKK, Eroglu Giyim, Pizarro S.A, and many more.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working together with the Transformers Foundation to organize a Symposium Transformers ED ‘Beyond Blue’, which if all goes well will take place somewhere next Spring. Corona however has prevented us to do this earlier, so still enough challenges to overcome.
What is the biggest achievement so far in your career?
Seeing the success of quite a few students and being a very small part of their development. Sometimes former students remind me of a talk which we had when they were in school, which apparently had way more impact than I ever knew.
his class in full Denim
What is/are your favorite denim brand(s), and why?
I’m a big fan of IMjiT35020. Manuel Canova is a true artist, and their fits work really well for me. The details are amazing, and the choice of Japanese Denim is always good. But I definitely need to mention, BDD, Benzak Denim Developers, the brand of our former student Lennaert Nijgh, too. Great styles, very nice details, and good fits. I’m wearing both Brands on a regular base.
What is your favorite denim store, and why?
Rivet & Hide in London because we are always welcome to visit with the students and get an extensive tour through the collection. In the Netherlands Arborator (Haarlem/Maastricht) and Black & Blue (Nijmegen) are always worth a visit.
What do you think we can expect in the (near) future of denim developments as it comes to sustainability?
I hope that we will see more common sense in Laundry Development, more particular in the use of Laundry. Companies as Tonello and Jeanologia have had some great achievements, but honestly the less washes and finishes the better it is in my opinion.
What is the most valuable lesson your have learned during your work?
Guido and some of his students
Always keep an open mind and truly listen to ideas, how silly they might seem at start. Students are independent which makes them free from boundaries and I believe that valuable ideas and solutions are with them. More collaboration between the Industry and Educational Institutes is a key to go forward.
If you could be someone else for one day, who would you be, and why?
No thanks. It’s okay being me. I’ll live through it.
Can you describe your ultimate pair of jeans?
The first IMjiT35020, model 806, which I got years back. Perfect in weight, color, details, and wear. It has been repaired quite a few times, but it’s still my favorite pair for any season.
Do you have a life slogan, or one that inspires you?
It’s a big achievement for a student to become a Master, but even a bigger achievement for a Master to stay a student.
Guido and daughter Oyunaa next to Ian Berry
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