All images by RVDA
The fashion label Hul le Kes, by designers Sjaak Hullekes and Sebastiaan Kramer, is the recipient of the 15th Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium. The award ceremony was celebrated festively on Wednesday, June 3, at the Felix Meritis cultural center in Amsterdam. A special presentation took the audience into the unique world of Hul le Kes. Additionally, the celebration marked the 15th anniversary of the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium platform, through which three-quarters of a million euros has been invested in Dutch fashion talent since 2011. The Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium, a unique collaboration between an anonymous benefactor with a heart for fashion, Het Cultuurfonds, and the Dutch Fashion Foundation, consists of a financial contribution of 50,000 euros and a rotating trophy designed by Atelier Ted Noten.
Designers Sjaak Hullekes and Sebastiaan Kramer of the label Hul le Kes receive the Mode Stipendium not only for their distinctive design talent and creative entrepreneurship, but also for their pioneering social and sustainable vision. Winning the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium also marks the introduction of two new sub-labels within the Hul le Kes universe: Hul le Kes Collectable and Hul le Kes Monumental. The first designs from the Hul le Kes Monumental line were showcased in a special presentation. This new line focuses on the brand’s more artistic and spatial expression, featuring distinctive garments and textile creations for special occasions and performative presentations.
Sjaak Hullekes and Sebastiaan Kramer of the label Hul le Kes, recipients of the 15th Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium:
“The past few years have been entirely dedicated to building a sound social and circular foundation. We first wanted to prove that a social, circular, and local model is indeed possible within the fashion industry. Receiving the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium feels like a confirmation that this vision has a right to exist. At the same time, it is a turning point for us to further open up our creative universe. For us, this stipend is not just a prize, but also an opportunity to continue building a new form of design. A form in which imperfection, humanity, craftsmanship, and imagination come together. It gives us the space to work even more autonomously and artistically, without compromising our values.”
Cathelijne Broers, director Het Cultuurfonds:
“With Hul le Kes, we honor creators who show how fashion does not make the world worse, but actually better. Not as fast fashion and fleeting consumption, but as a medium that can promote sustainability, connect, and heal by literally offering people a place to catch their breath while learning the craft of fashion. That is a thought that touches me deeply — and which is palpable in a special way in this edition. Kudos to this winner and to our anonymous benefactor who, for the 15th time, makes it possible for creators to take the next step in their development that makes the sector healthier. Living proof that fifteen years of investing in creators is not a luxury, but a necessity!”
Angélique Westerhof, director Dutch Fashion Foundation:
“Hul le Kes is so much more than a fashion label. Over the course of 20 years, Sjaak Hullekes and Sebastiaan Kramer have grown their pioneering holistic philosophy on entrepreneurship in fashion into a healthy and radically sustainable business model, bringing together the entire fashion company chain from A to Z under one roof in Arnhem, including an education model and a care workshop for 45 people. In doing so, they are a shining example for our beloved field, something the Netherlands can be truly proud of. The perseverance in that deeply personal vision, the consistently high level at which they have captivated an international audience with their entirely unique style, and the generosity with which they continue to share their knowledge and experience—all of this makes Hul le Kes the rightful recipient of the 15th Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium. In turn, they add a distinct resonance to the already rich diversity of talent in our hall of fame of standard-bearers of Dutch fashion!”
Hul le Kes pop-up shop and Virtual Gallery
Work by Hul le Kes can be viewed and experienced in the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium Virtual Gallery. This specially designed digital gallery of honor offers previous recipients of the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium an innovative way to present recent work and special projects. This time, the Virtual Gallery is an immersive fashion experience in which everyone can experience the best of Dutch fashion interactively through scrollytelling.
To celebrate receiving the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium, Hul le Kes is organizing an exclusive pop-up shop-in-shop at fashion store Jones in Arnhem from Thursday, June 4 to Saturday, June 20, 2026, featuring special pieces, collectables, and a selection from the latest collections.
About the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium
Designers eligible for the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium have for a considerable time independently run a distinctive, Dutch-rooted fashion label. They put Dutch fashion on the national and international map with their own unique style and have developed outstanding quality, both within their collections and in their business operations. The Mode Stipendium positions itself as both an incentive and an achievement award. It is the most prestigious recognition a fashion designer can receive within the contemporary Dutch fashion field. The stipend enables the recipient to take the necessary steps for the further development and growth of the label.
Recipients until now are Hul le Kes (2026), Duran Lantink (2025), Camiel Fortgens (2024), Mohamed Benchellal (2023), MAISON the FAUX (2022), Claes Iversen (2021), Erik Frenken (2019), Bas Kosters (2018), Ronald van der Kemp (2017), Iris van Herpen (2016), Youasme Measyou (2015), Jan Taminiau (2014), Truus and Riet Spijkers (2013), Francisco van Benthum (2012) en Ilja Visser (2011).
All images by RVDA – Reinier van der Aart
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About Het Cultuurfonds
The Cultuurfonds invests 50 million euros per year in culture and nature. In more than 4,000 projects and individuals throughout the Netherlands, in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, and in Suriname. We do this with financial contributions from the VriendenLoterij and Nederlandse Loterij, from donors, from bequests, and together with our partners. Associations, foundations, cultural institutions, nature organizations, and individual artists can apply for a contribution for their project. The Cultuurfonds also invests in culture and nature on its own initiative and awards prizes and scholarships.
cultuurfonds.nl
instagram.com/cultuurfonds
About Dutch Fashion Foundation
Dutch Fashion Foundation has been selected as a partner by Het Cultuurfonds in the implementation of the Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium. With its unparalleled experience in guiding Dutch top talents in the highest fashion segment, the Dutch Fashion Foundation contributes to the outcome of the stipend at various levels; from selection procedure and production of the event to guidance of the recipient.
dutchfashionfoundation.com
instagram.com/dutchfashionfoundation
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Cultuurfonds Mode Stipendium Edition 15 Gif image developed by @studioultradeluxe
Fashion design and photography:
@benchellal by @timverhallen_photography with muze @iammarpessa
@camielfortgens by @samlucamorsink
@claesiversen by @teampeterstigter
@maisonthefaux by @ninu.png with talent @mari_musante
@duranlantinkyo by Luca Tombolini