Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam played host to a spirited night of brewers, beers and brands at the 7th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event. Showcasing 16 of the best microbreweries in the Netherlands, the Indie Brands Brewery Special featured an inspiring evening of fascinating talks and exquisite beer tastings. With more than 243 independent breweries emerging over the last 10 years, craft beer making is rapidly becoming a Dutch phenomenon. While the market remains relatively small (roughly 5%) compared to other countries (15% in the US), microbrewers in the Netherlands are optimistic that there is ample room for growth.
Indie BRANDS Event | Indie Brands on Wheels
Bicycle fever struck Pakhuis de Zwijger* Amsterdam during the 6th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event (28 March 2014). Bringing together an exceptional corps of bike makers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to the bicycle capital of the world, Indie Brands on Wheels featured an extraordinary night of compelling talks, independent brands and their highly coveted products. The evening’s festivities rightly honored the Netherlands’ most beloved mode of transportation: the bicycle.
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Unveiling Creativity | Stepping Behind the Digital Curtain
Success is often followed by admiration. In any given field, even the most accomplished of individuals are inspired by someone else’s example. Indeed, our fascination with those whom we admire stems from our desire to walk in their footsteps, or in some cases, to surpass them. Thanks in part to the rise of social media, never in the history of humankind has following the success of other people been so conveniently possible. Still, there has always been an air of mystique surrounding these public personas.
At the 2nd anniversary of CreativeMornings Utrecht (14 March 2014), documentary photographer Marije Kuiper offered us a peek into the hidden lives of world-renowned creatives. As co-creator of the online documentary series Like Knows Like, she and filmmaker Bas Berkhout profile a host of talented artists, designers and musicians (among others) across the globe who are deeply beloved on social media. Throughout her career, Kuiper has worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes, in search of unique individuals, stories and settings, making the invisible visible.
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Changing Course | In Pursuit of Our True Calling
Following our passion is easier said than done. From a very early age, we were convinced that life is comprised of a linear set of milestones that must be achieved in order to give it meaning: go to school, get a job, buy a house, get married, have kids, and the list goes on. By the time we realise that there is more to life than an archaic list of someone else’s goals, we may have given up on what interests us the most, assuming that we have already discovered what that might be. As a result, most of us tend to endure our chosen profession rather than enjoy it.
At the 22nd edition of CreativeMornings Utrecht (21 February 2014), psychologist-turned-illustrator Ellen Vesters proved that it is never too late to do what you love, as long as you are willing to work for it. As an artist and founder of online illustration concept store Urlaub, Vesters is undoubtedly a rebel-at-heart, leaving behind her former career to pursue her true calling. Although she admits that her change in course was not the smoothest of transitions, her struggles did not keep her from having fun along the way.
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Indie BRANDS On Wheels
On 28 March 2014, Indie BRANDS presents the 6th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger* (Amsterdam). Featuring a night of compelling talks, independent brands and their highly coveted products, the evening’s festivities honours the Netherlands’ most beloved mode of transportation: the bicycle.
What was once considered a cheap and primitive way to get around has been (re)elevated into a symbol of freedom, creativity and regard for the environment. As a result, Indie Brands On Wheels brings together a bevy of bike makers, brands and enthusiasts –from bicycle magazines and accessories to bikes made from bamboo, wood and recycled materials– to talk shop, share their ideas and inspire us with their stories. With more than a million bicycles sold in the Netherlands each year, these ambitious entrepreneurs have set themselves apart from the rest of the competition and are more than willing to show us how to do the same. ✌
Friday, 28 March 2014
17:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets: 15 Euros
☞ For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 4th Indie BRANDS Event, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 6th Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
Learning the Code | Educating the Next Generation
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X
Be it a mystery, what you make of it, or whether or not it is in your hands, everyone hopes for a brighter future. In many ways, we are led to believe that the sum of our everyday actions reflects our desire to achieve a better tomorrow: “Dreams don’t work unless you do,” “Control your own destiny or someone else will.” Indeed, society’s attitude towards things to come has evolved from total resignation (“Que sera, sera.”) to taking responsibility – not only for ourselves, but more importantly, for our children.
At the 21st edition of CreativeMornings Utercht (31 January 2014), digital media expert Remco Pijpers declared that it is never too early to prepare for the future. As CEO of youth knowledge and (digital) media centre Mijn Kind Online (My Kid Online), he is a staunch advocate of teaching children how to code at a very young age. Together with Sanoma Netherlands publisher Suzan Schouten and media educator Pauline Maas, Pijpers is convinced that coding will ultimately be a vital skill in the years to come.
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Indie BRANDS x phillipqgangan: TIMcity
Cities are icons in their own right. Indeed, these urban landscapes have been known to captivate hearts and minds, inspiring everything from literature and the arts to music, culture and design. To live in a particular city is to be influenced by it, to embrace its intrinsic character, rhythm and vibe entirely as your own. Aiming to encapsulate this urban aesthetic is TIMcity.
Fascinated by the intricacies of the metropolis, Dutch founder and designer René Tim established TIMcity in 2012. With a background in Urban Planning from the University of Amsterdam, Tim sought to capture the essence of world-renowned cities in a clear graphic design. The result is a collection of minimalist prints resembling the street maps of New York, Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam. Featured on premium cotton shirts and totes, Tim’s designs chart the historic, urban developments of the cities they represent.
As far as civic symbols are concerned, monoliths and mega structures pale in comparison to the regal roads, charming neighbourhoods and secluded alleyways of the bustling metropolis. These paths and thoroughfares are the true embodiment of a city’s true identity. What better way to celebrate these centres of civilization than to immortalize them on a tee?
☞ Indie BRANDS x phillipqgangan, features profiles and interviews on up-and-coming independent brands on the Indie BRANDS blog.
For more information on TIMcity, Indie BRANDS and other brands featured in the Indie BRANDS blog, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS and the Indie BRANDS Blog
Indie BRANDS Event | Food
It was another full house at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam during the 5th edition of the Indie Brands Event (9 December 2013). In anticipation of its 2nd year anniversary, Indie Brands celebrated in style by hosting a truly memorable gathering entirely dedicated to food and beverage. Featuring a feast of fascinating talks, food tastings and food-centric enterprises, the evening’s festivities highlighted the victories, trials and tribulations of the Dutch indie food scene.
Politics in Play
The relationship between food and business is a bond that has spanned countless of centuries. Over the past few years, the Netherlands has slowly developed a budding food movement –from new restaurant concepts and food trucks to craft beer brewers, slavery-free chocolate and vegetal ice cream– that fervently champions the principles of sustainability, fair trade and local sourcing. Be that as it may, it appears that the current regulations of the Dutch food industry have been less than conducive for small business growth.
Indie BRANDS | Food
In anticipation of its 2nd year anniversary, Indie BRANDS presents the 5th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger* (Amsterdam) on 9 December 2013. What better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than a special event entirely dedicated to food and drinks? Featuring a feast of inspirational talks, independent brands and their delectable bites, the evening’s festivities offer a spread of food-related enterprises to tantalize your tastebuds.
In the highly competitive (not to mention strictly regulated) world of food and beverages, indie brands —from revolutionary beer to slavery-free chocolate or even vegetable ice cream— are making their mark by cooking up a storm and taking chances. Riding the wave of foodie trends such as organic farming and local sourcing, these epicurean businesses may well have found their recipes for success. Giving us a taste of what their brands have to offer, the inspiring entrepreneurs behind these tasty treats share their precious wisdom and personal experiences on how to start a business. ✌
Wednesday, 9 December 2013
16:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets: 17.50 Euros
☞ For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 4th Indie BRANDS Event, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 5th Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
Child’s Play | Learning with Technology
It’s official. Touchscreen devices are here to stay and they are only getting better. Revolutionary advancements in the field of mobile technology over the past few years suggest that smartphones and tablets are soon to become everyday, household items like the radio or TV. As impressive as this may seem, there is a growing concern among parents nowadays regarding the alleged side effects of the rapid acceleration of the Digital Age, particularly when it comes to their children (technology-dependence, separation anxiety and ADHD, to name a few). Nevertheless, some parents may give a positive response when posed with the following question: Would you give your smartphone to your child?
At the 19th edition of CreativeMornings Utrecht (25 October 2013), graphic designer Xander Wiersma addressed these parental concerns by unveiling mobile technology in a different light. As a father of two and co-founder of Den Haag-based design studio Appracadabra, Wiersma and his team develop visually stunning, educational apps for kids (aged 2 and older), targeted at nurturing specific skills. Purposely made available in a number of different languages, their apps are intuitively designed and are based on the established precepts of how children play.
phillipqgangan 