On February 6, 2025, FASHIONCLASH and Rotterdam’s Fashion in Flux joined forces once again to present the second edition of FEELING FASHION at the Nieuwe Instituut during the International Film Festival Rotterdam. This special evening celebrated the ever-evolving dialogue between fashion and film, showcasing how these mediums intersect to tell powerful stories beyond the traditional runway.
One of the evening’s highlights was a conversation between filmmaker and producer Hadi Moussally and moderator Yassine Salihine, exploring the transformative potential of fashion film as a tool for storytelling, identity, and activism. Moussally’s work is known for its evocative narratives and thought-provoking imagery, challenging perceptions of beauty, culture, and representation.
The event also featured a performance by Salma Zahore, a queerture and artivist, who performed for the first time in the Netherlands. Her moving and confrontational work sheds light on societal norms, inclusivity, and personal identity, resonating deeply with the audience and adding an extra layer of intimacy to the program.
In addition, the showcase included films by emerging Rotterdam-based and linked artists and designers Flo Meijer, Tyna Le, Coco Simons, and Michał Zgierski.
The evening concluded with a screening of Moussally’s award-winning short film, "Shame (عيب)", a gripping narrative that confronts social and cultural taboos, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Beyond the live event, a FEELING FASHION Film Program ran at Nieuwe Instituut from Friday, February 7, to Sunday, February 9, 2025, and was accessible to visitors during opening hours. This film selection further expanded on the themes of fashion as a moving image, reinforcing its power to provoke, inspire, and challenge. In the screening room, you could experience films by Moussally, as well as filmmakers from Poland, India, Turkey, Costa Rica, and the Netherlands. Together, these creators use fashion as a lens to explore themes of beauty, love, cultural identity, and equality. All films were handpicked in collaboration between Fashion in Flux and FASHIONCLASH and have previously been showcased at during FASHIONCLASH Festival in Maastricht.
All images are by Mark Bolk