Dutch designer Addy van den Krommenacker is best known for his exclusive feminine women’s clothing.
“My vision is a belief in the elegant, timeless woman.”
Early Life
Designer Addy van den Krommenacker was born in the Netherlands. With his feminine yet discreet women’s clothing, Addy has become a popular name in fashion. He first launched his own collection in 2001, and it has grown substantially over the years.
At an early age, his expert fashion advice made a deep impression on many Dutch female celebrities such as Sandra Reemer, Willeke Alberti and Jette van der Meij. For many years, Addy successfully sold clothes by international designers, until he launched his own collection, and from that moment onwards, his career really took off.
In 2001 at the launch of his couture line, Addy reached fame and was publicised on the front page of the Dutch Telegraph. He launched a ready-to-wear collection the following year, which received a warm reception. His clothing was avant-garde at the time, introducing a feminine and natural fit and using a subtle color palette.
While his designs were popular in Holland, Addy eventually crossed international borders. In 2007, he was asked to present his collection at the AltaModa in Rome during Haute Couture fashion week. The collection received excellent reviews from international press, which helped generate much interest in his designs, and even won him an award for “best foreign contribution to an event”. His first prêt à porter collection was subsequently launched in Milan, resulting in Addy designs being shown across Europe: in Kazakhstan, Sarajevo, Montenegro, Belgium and Budapest. The collection was then further showcased on the catwalks in Rome and Sicily, earning him a second fashion award. His collection even appeared on the hit TV show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ which aired in over 140 countries. During that show, top model and host of the show, Tyra Banks, wore a stunning Addy gown designed especially for her and Addy appeared as a guest-judge in the program.
In Holland, Addy designs are chosen by stars for their special appearances and occasions. He designed the weddingdresses of many famous Dutch women: Chantal Janzen, Yolanthe Schneyder (wife of foot-ballplayer Wesley Schneyder), wives of footballcoach Louis van Gaal and football star Ruud van Nistelrooy, and many more.
In the Limelight
In 2011 Addy was knighted into the Order of Orange-Nassau for recognition of his stunning work and incredible achievements. That same year his collection was exhibited at the Cannes film festival, with Courtney Love and Lady Victoria Hervey both wearing Addy signature gowns. Addy was then invited to show his collection at Indonesia Fashion Week in Jakarta, and to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Addy’s original gowns have been worn at several red carpets, including Vanity Fair night by Carly Steel, actress Sofia Milos (CSI Miami) and singer Mayra Veronica, including the three-time Golden Globe winner Susan Blakely and (Taxi) Actress Mary Lou Henner.
Addy designed as a special collection for fashion brand Steps in Holland, a line which sold in 140 stores. Women queued up to optain a real Addy dress!
Despite his great success, Addy remains modest about his efforts. He was bestowed the great honour of being awarded membership to the prestigious Swiss Camera della Moda in Lugano. Here, he showed his collection for a second time.
The real pinnacle of his career, however, was being commissioned to design a wedding gown for Princess Carolina de Bourbon de Parme. Both the veil and gown featured heirloom embroidery lace, which had originally been worn by her mother, Princess Irene, on her wedding day some 50 years ago. This spectacular gown was then perfectly complemented by two elegant Krommenacker outfits, worn by the mother and sister of the bride on that special day. Addy was invited to show his collection at Indonesia Fashion Week in Jakarta and in Australia.
During the inauguration of King Willem Alexander on the 30th of April 2013, royal members including Princess Irene, Princess Aimee and Princess Magarita chose to wear a creation from Addy. Other political leaders dressed in Addy signature dresses, including the wife of mayor of Amsterdam Femke van der Laan.
In 2015 he was asked to design a special Jheronimus Bosch scarf for the “Noord Brabants” Museum, which resulted in a “Bosch by Addy Collection. He gave a sneak preview of it at the New York fashionweek and later in Russia and in Rome.
After this collection Addy got inspired and every year he created a new “theme”collection . Out of Africa , the new romantics and Ascot by Addy.
With big events he dressed many stars and he got a lot of applause for his designs for the awardwinning cast of the Dutch television series “de Meilandjes “ and for a special equestrian inspired dress design for Dutch star Britt Dekker
In 2020 he opened his “ Addy Experience “ in Villa Maasdonk in Nuland. Every room in this beautiful villa has its own theme from his collection
With more than four decades in the business, Addy has enjoyed a longevity as a designer experienced by few others. Addy stands as one of fashion’s distinguished leaders.
