Circularity. A word repeated so often it risks becoming hollow. But what if we reclaimed it; not as a trend, but as an artistic process? We view circularity not as a closed loop to perfect, but as a breathing system; organic, human, and gloriously imperfect.
As Hul le Kes we are not merely designing garments. We are designing new ways of seeing value, beauty, and care; for textiles, for people, and for the stories that connect them.
Modern consumer culture thrives on a myth: that perfection is attainable, that newness is virtue, and that materials should remain unchanging. Colours must not fade, fabrics must not wrinkle, garments must not age. Yet every step towards this illusion (crease-resistant finishes, colourfast dyes) exacts a cost on ecosystems and workers alike.
In our lives, too, the pressure to perform flawlessly (to be ever-productive, ever-youthful, ever-perfect) exhausts both our minds and bodies. We expect from ourselves the efficiency of machines, forgetting that human beings are made for nuance, error, and variation.
We honour a different path. Our garments embrace imperfection: the lived-in softness of a naturally dyed Kahlo Tunic, upcycled from discarded bedding; the textured asymmetries of a Monet Jacket crafted from an old wool blanket, carrying with it the warmth of former lives.
To design circularly is to design with the material, not against it. When we create a Rodin Patchwork Shirt, each panel is selected from pre-loved men’s shirts, bearing faint traces of their past; wear marks, faded hems, a whisper of memory stitched into the new whole. Similarly, the Toorop Patchwork Trousers, cut from reclaimed workwear, reveal textures shaped by years of use.
In these pieces, serendipity is not an accident but an ally. We allow unpredictability to guide our hand, welcoming the small “flaws” that make each garment unique.
This philosophy also shapes our Recovery Studio, where people who momentarily do not “fit” into the rush of modern life find space to slow down and mend both cloth and self. Here, imperfection is not a deficiency but a form of beauty; visible in the careful repairs stitched into fabric, visible too in the human dignity restored through care and time.
Every Hul le Kes item carries its story not only in its fibres but also in its Passport; a small booklet crafted from surplus paper. In it, we inscribe the garment’s first entries: the name of the piece, the origin of its fabric, the location and date of its making.
But the story does not end there. We invite every wearer to use this paspoort as a diary for their garment, to record travels, memories, stains, and repairs.
A wine spill at a wedding, a hand-stitched patch after a fall, these are no longer flaws but chapters in the garment’s biography. Over time, the paspoort becomes a tangible testament to a life lived well, not a life lived perfectly.
A visible repair on a Toorop Beachcomber Jacket or a stain dyes on a Monet Skirt transforms from defect to identity, a scar that deepens beauty, a history to be worn with pride.
Through our Mending Services and Dyeing Services, we extend this philosophy beyond our own collections. Garments can be reborn through repair or natural dyeing, preserving not just material but memory. Like our Cremer Jackets, each piece carries forward not a pristine blankness, but a layered, imperfect richness.
This approach challenges the industry’s fixation on uniformity and disposability. It asks: what if we saw age, imperfection, and repair not as diminishment, but as enrichment?
Each garment at Hul le Kes, whether a Oudolf Coat stitched from workwear or a flowing Degas Tunic, embodies this new luxury: one rooted not in excess, but in meaning, care, and authenticity.
Ultimately, true circularity is not just technical, but also philosophical. It invites us to reconsider what we value, to trade unattainable perfection for the beauty of impermanence, of stories accumulating over time.
In a world dominated by fast fashion and algorithms, Hul le Kes offers a different cadence: slower, more human, and far richer. One stitch, one story, one imperfect, extraordinary garment at a time.
Discover the evolving stories of our garments and services at Hul le Kes, through Private Shopping, at our Arnhem flagship store, or online via our Mending and Dyeing Services.
We would love to bring to your attention, two of our upcoming events as part of the Juni Modemaand Arnhem and Fashion + Design Festival Arnhem. (Have a look at our latest post for more information about the June month in Arnhem.) The Rijndistrict Open Studio’s on June 20th, and Arnhemse Stock & Design Dagen between June 27th and June 29th:
Rijndistrict Open Studios – June 20, 16:00–20:00
Step inside our Manufacturing and Recovery Studios at Van Oldenbarneveldtstraat 79a, along with other creative spaces in the Rijndistrict. This is a unique opportunity to witness our process firsthand and meet the team behind our garments. More information here.
Arnhemse Stock & Design Dagen – June 27–29
Explore our curated selection of garments, prototypes, and unique pieces during this citywide event celebrating fashion and design. It’s the perfect chance to find one-of-a-kind items and connect with the local creative community. More information here.
