On the Dutch Caribbean islands, style comes with rules like church protocols, community expectations and the pressure to fit a certain mold. Moving to the Netherlands, or elsewhere abroad, opens up a world of options. But it also brings new questions: Who am I without those rules? How do I stay connected to my roots while exploring new ways of expressing myself? We’re bringing together creatives who live this tension every day. Designers, stylists, and visionaries navigating between two worlds, two beauty standards, and two very different ideas of what fashion should be. We’ll explore the shift from “bo no ta bisti kos di hende” to thrifting and upcycling, and the courage it takes to experiment in a small community. We’ll also tackle the bigger question: what does beauty mean in the Caribbean vs. the Netherlands, and who gets to define it?
Pop out and show out for a night of connection, culture and conversation!
POP-UP EVENT: Browse and shop at our pop-up market featuring clothing and accessories from Dutch Caribbean brands and makers. More info on the pop-up market will be shared soon!
More about the speakers
Goldiie is a Curaçaoan-Bonairian multidisciplinary artist, creative director, and jewelry designer. Her work explores themes of beauty, identity, memory, and transformation. Moving between design, fashion, film, and education, she draws deeply from her Caribbean heritage. By bringing together personal stories, cultural elements, and different artistic disciplines, Goldiie creates her own layered visual language.
Founded in 2012 by St. Maarten‑born, Amsterdam‑based John Brooks, Brooks Modeling Agency has grown from a boutique into an international player with offices in Amsterdam, Milan, and Paris. Driven by instinct and a passion for discovering talent beyond conventional beauty, Brooks takes a personal, hands‑on approach to nurturing individuality and building global careers. Today, its diverse roster works across the fashion industry, while its core philosophy remains unchanged: recognise potential, give opportunity, and make individuality stand out.
Quiana Cronie is an Aruban multidisciplinary designer exploring storytelling through visual design and fashion. Inspired by Aruba’s forgotten narratives, she translates stories into visual worlds, textures, and wearables. Her work bridges past and present, preserving and reimagining the island’s stories for future generations.
Founded June 2024 by Curaçao-rooted creative Charlevienne Ortela, ZJILEA crafts press-on nails as wearable art. Inspired by the vibrant colors and bold confidence of Caribbean nail culture, the brand named for the Papiamentu phrase “in your element”, channels self-expression and cultural storytelling. ZJILEA reclaims nail art’s legacy as resistance and identity, blending nostalgic gold accents and freestyle swirls with contemporary style. More than following trends, it honors the originators, turning daily beauty into a ritual of self-love and cultural pride.
Nerizje Polanco is a fashion enthusiast, content creator and Cultural Anthropologist with a passion for style, culture and self-expression. Their approach to fashion is deeply rooted in an appreciation for identity and cultural expression. Their Caribbean heritage heavily influences their style, bringing vibrancy, individuality, and a strong sense of cultural pride to their looks.
