MOAM, the collective that Martijn started two years ago, in two sentences: A collective that connects young creatives with the éminence grise. Because the young people are overwhelmed with knowledge and the big people in the field are not forgotten.
Martijn is only 26 years old but he arranged together with Frans Ankoné ‘just’ that Doutzen Kroes became the face of his campaign and that this image was also photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. “You have people who giggle and ride by when they see Viktor and Rolf walking and people who hit the brakes to talk to them. I did that. A taxi did crash into me but I had beautiful work from Viktor & Rolf in my first exhibition.”
He loves to surround himself with great minds. Frans Ankoné for example (former stylist of Avenue and New York Magazine and art director of Vogue Germany) comes by a few times a week to make plans together. “Nothing pretentious, we just eat a sandwich together, you know.”
The latest achievement of MOAM is a collection they designed for HEMA. “Two years ago I graduated and now I have a clothing line that will soon be in over 200 stores. John de Greef, fashion journalist for Elsevier, was really impressed with our tailored blazer and Cécile Narinx wore my sausage T-shirt and posted a photo on her Facebook. It's really a cool collection with an incredible price-quality ratio.”
How does the weekend start? With champagne or with a sandwich with Frans Ankoné?
“Preferably both. On Fridays I usually get two bottles of Sauvignon that we drink together here, then everyone disperses. I have a huge addiction and that is good food. Salted nuts, cheeses, baguette. When it comes to clothing, I'm quite sober but I spend a lot of money on good food.”
And Saturday, total relaxation?
“I can't remember the last time I really had a weekend off. Now that I'm an entrepreneur, things are always ongoing. There's always something happening, either we have a shoot and the items haven't arrived yet or I still have all sorts of administrative things to do. The difference is that I meet up with friends, my boyfriend, and family on the weekends. Buying nice things together at Marqt and discussing life while we cook. From bed partners to business deals, everything comes up then.”
What does a MOAM person listen to on the weekend?
“I have quite a penchant for Scandinavia. When it comes to clothing, I love labels like COS, APC, Acne and the same goes for music. Royksopp, Asbjorn, that kind of stuff.”
And is there binge-watching? As in watching a ton of series or movies?
“Yes, I love series (Mad Men and House of Cards!) but I must say that I've also been reading a lot lately. Literature. Forgive Us by A.M. Homes for example or The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
When it rains, we have cinema Sunday with a group of friends. All with our Pathé pass to the cinema. Then we don't care if we see a documentary or Disney's Frozen. Just eating popcorn and switching off our brains.”
Imagine you see someone wearing your collection a few weekends later. What do you do?
I think I would approach them. Or I would secretly take a photo and immediately throw it in our WhatsApp group. On September 26, everything will really be launched. Then I'll swap that Sauvignon for a bottle of Piper Heidsieck, you understand.”
When Monday comes and the fun is over, what time does the alarm go off?
“Only at 09:00. I'm just not a morning person and often work late into the night so I allow myself this luxury. That's the advantage of being your own boss.”
Photo credit: Image Paul Bellaert
