What makes Iris van Herpen one of the world's greatest couturiers of our time? What world lies behind the creations worn by stars like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga? In the new podcast "The Secret of Iris van Herpen," presenter and fashion enthusiast Splinter Chabot explores the answer. Along with a series of guests and Van Herpen herself, he delves into the personal stories and inspiration behind her work. The three-part podcast series is available to listen to starting today in the lead-up to the exhibition "Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses" at Kunsthal Rotterdam (September 27, 2025, to March 1, 2026).
“Only One Percent Discovered”
The podcast reveals how Van Herpen’s childhood in the nature surrounding the idyllic Gelderland village of Wamel sparked her creativity. She explains that nature is her muse and emphasizes the vital role of material in her work and design process. “Material is infinite in its possibilities. I feel that within fashion only one percent of all possibilities has been discovered,” Van Herpen says in the podcast. From this conviction, she pushes the boundaries of fashion. With contributions from, among others, actress Carice van Houten and textile artist Claudy Jongstra, it becomes clear why Iris van Herpen’s work is so groundbreaking. In their conversations with Chabot, it emerges that her designs go beyond dressing celebrities; each is a work of art in its own right. “It didn’t feel like a dress to me at all—it was simply a sculpture that I was part of,” Carice van Houten says of the creation she was allowed to wear in 2020. From Architecture to Haute Couture
The podcast offers a deeper perspective on Van Herpen’s work and her collaborations both within and beyond the fashion world. It explores, for instance, how architecture—particularly that of Santiago Calatrava—finds its way into her wearable sculptures. “The secret of Iris van Herpen unfolds in layers, just like her breathtaking work. By immersing yourself in her world, you begin to see her designs with completely new eyes. It was an enchanting and incredibly inspiring experience to unravel this,” says Splinter Chabot. The Secret Revealed
The Secret of Iris van Herpen follows the successful podcast series The Secret of the Girl with a Pearl Earring, also presented by Chabot. The podcast was developed by Nationale-Nederlanden, main partner of Kunsthal Rotterdam, and serves as a prelude to the exhibition Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses (September 27, 2025 – March 1, 2026). The stories in the podcast provide background to the creations that will soon be on display there in real life. The sound design of the podcast was created by composer Salvador Breed, who previously crafted the immersive soundscapes for Van Herpen’s major haute couture shows as well as for the Kunsthal exhibition. The Secret of Iris van Herpen is available to listen to from today on all podcast platforms. Listen to the podcast on Spotify here.
