The first time I laid eyes [and hands] on fresh Dutch label C.Cruden was last February, at then newly opened concept store Sketch in The Hague where the owners Robert and Erik van Oosterom gave me a tour of their hand picked ‘contemporary artisan’ designers. Jewelry by Arielle de Pinto, Creative Recreation and Volta shoes, Mismo and Filson bags, Raf Simons, Monique van Heist and C.Cruden – did I know Sammy Cruden? I did not. But I loved her work on the spot. Denim leggings with fashioned feet, very Peter Pan, also available in butter soft black leather. Oversized organic cotton T-shirts with sequin print and totally covetable black leather carry all bags modeled after a supersized toiletry bag. Simple yet highly effective, C.Cruden made me want to throw out my entire wardrobe; this is all I need. I just had to get to know Ms. Cruden first thing.
Thus my newest Skype-friend, Sammy officially goes by her dramatic adoptive name Clothilde Alexandra Cruden [which explains the C.] and she’s been very comfortable ‘off the radar’ (more…)