It was summer 1984 when I was invited to do an internship at a Haute Couture House in Paris,  friends of my parents were related to the originally Dutch Couturier Robert Nelissen,who started in Paris as an assistent of Annemarie Baretta and also worked for Pierre Cardin. By then he had his own House,with salons in Paris,Milan and Tokyo. How lucky could I be starting my creative career there..

I learned so many things from him and his staff,working in the ‘atelier’ , with the ‘premier main’ watching and guiding me all the time. My French improved daily! Learned how to use different types of fabric the right way,sewing by hand , helped organizing the season fashion show , getting all the items needed from all over Paris.

I even was invited to a house-show of Chanel , an unforgettable experience, with Inez de Fressange being one of the models.

So many beautiful windows of the shops in Rue St.Honore , all images of beauty carved in my soul.

They’re still a source of inspiration to this day.