Maastricht once again transformed into a hub of creativity as the 16th annual FASHIONCLASH Festival unfolded. This year’s event used once again the power of fashion as a medium for artistic expression, social commentary, and cultural exchange.

The festival’s opening night at the historic Sint-Annakerk set the stage for a week of cool performances and installations. Taiwanese drag artist Naza Løtus and costume design duo The Nightmare Disorder presented “Eight,” a performance that blended fashion and drag to tell stories through costumes. Another highlight was “I SEE YOU SEE ME,” a collaboration between designer Katharina Spitz and poet/artist Manka Menga, exploring femininity and ritual.

The CLASH House program highlighted the work of emerging designers who are mixing fashion and other disciplines. One of the highlights was Danata Shaikenova’s “DID I?” This performance used the body to express personal experiences. Megan van Engelen’s “Berry” explored childhood memories through fashion and film, while Ana Krgović’s SHIFT Studio focused on personal transformation. Paula Dischinger’s “Human Herd” looked at how we behave in groups, and Julia Burak’s “Ate and left no crumbs” celebrated body diversity.

Check out below the backstage images captured by the lens of Mitch van Schijndel: