New creative/economic partnership launched: Dutch Design Fashion Architecture

The new partnership Dutch Design Fashion Architecture (DutchDFA) is a joint effort between design organisations and government to strengthen the international position of the Dutch creative sectors on a long term.

By Editor Design.nl / 18-12-2008

The umbrella initiative creates a united front for Dutch design, fashion and architecture to tackle the international market.

A new creative partnership DUTCH Design, Fashion, Architecture (DutchDFA) was officially launched this week in The Hague with the aim of strengthening the international position of these three most prominent Dutch creative sectors for the long term and in a sustainable manner. Organisations in these sectors are combining their strengths, working in conjunction with the Dutch government to ensure the growing international success of Dutch design, fashion and architecture.

The DutchDFA programme will manifest itself over a four-year period, between 2009 and 2012. It entails several long-term strategic programmes that are based on topical themes like globalisation, development and sustainability and local demands in a number of selected regions. Germany, India and China will be the initial focus. At the same time the partners have devised a cross-sectoral methodology for the further internationalisation of the Dutch design sector. Over this period, 12 million euros will be invested into the programme.

The initiative is a collaboration between three Dutch ministries - Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country's major design organisations and foundations - Premsela (the Dutch Platform for Design and Fashion), the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI), the Office of the Chief Government Architect, the Association of Dutch Designers (BNO), Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA), the Association of Dutch Interior Architects (BNI), Modint (the trade association for fashion, interior design, carpets and textiles), and the Dutch creative cities, namely Amsterdam, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague.

More information can be found on the website.