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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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
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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
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Indie BRANDS x phillipqgangan: bobble
When it comes to making consumer choices, human beings err on the side of emotion. Rather than selecting the most rational option, customers are easily enticed by the allure of gimmickry, novelty or convenience, perpetuating the rise of a throwaway society. Be that as it may, the same tricks of the trade are increasingly being used for the greater good, encouraging consumers to make better choices. At the forefront of this campaign is bobble.
Advocating the merits of smart, purposeful design, New York City-based company, Move Collective launched bobble in 2010. Their aim was to rectify people’s drinking habits by developing a reusable, filtered water bottle in lieu of the single-serve version. Available in a wide-range of colours and styles, bobble has emerged as a trendy, lifestyle accessory that doubles as an initiative to reduce plastic waste. Each innovatively designed, portable filter replaces the equivalent of 300 disposable bottles, propelling more and more people to source their water from the tap.
In working towards a sustainable future, bobble is the first of many visionary products that the company hopes to conceive. Practical as it may be, the brand is a stylish proponent of what should be considered the norm. Best leave it to good design to bring back common sense. ✌
bobble | Filter in Style
☞ Indie BRANDS x phillipqgangan, features profiles and interviews on up-and-coming independent brands on the Indie BRANDS blog.
For more information on bobble, 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 | Funding, Trends and Authenticity
Independent brands meant business at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam during the 4th edition of the Indie Brands Event (30 May 2013). Traditionally a night of inspiring talks and panel discussions on all things indie, the evening’s festivities took on a more serious tone, turning its attention towards the business side of brands. While much of the previous discussions centered on products and branding, practical themes such as access to funding, rising trends and the preservation of authenticity were thoroughly explored during the course of the event.
Playing to the Crowd
Due to their inherent nature, indie brands are quite adept in finding creative ways to start a business. At a time when capital is proving difficult to come by, these savvy entrepreneurs have turned to alternative methods of funding, oftentimes directly soliciting the customers themselves. As a matter of fact, the social phenomenon of crowdfunding has been responsible for the viability of hundreds of start-ups, innovations and even creative projects such as books and films over the last few years. Nevertheless, the potential gains from this platform should never be overestimated.
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Indie BRANDS | Funding, Trends & Authenticity
On 30 May 2013, Indie BRANDS presents the 4th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam. Featuring a night of captivating talks, independent brands and their must-have products, the evening’s festivities centers on matters concerning funding, trends and authenticity.
While financial volatility has rigidly defined the global economy, independent brands —from bamboo-frame bicycles to consumer-distributed magazines and “future-friendly” accessories— have consistently defied the odds by developing innovative, socially-oriented business models through the use of alternative funding. Due in part to their remarkable success, these brands are being largely imitated (never duplicated) by big business, sparking a contentious debate on authenticity. In effect, Indie Brands proudly brings to the stage the true originators of the independent movement to discuss au courant trends and what exactly makes a brand truly indie. ✌
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
20:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets:10 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 4th Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
Indie BRANDS Event | Creativity, Competition and Entrepreneurship
It was standing room only at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam during the 3rd edition of the Indie Brands Event (22 February 2013). In celebration of its 1-year anniversary, Indie Brands –a book written by Dutch author Anneloes van Gaalen, featuring 30 independent brands and their inspiring narratives– convened yet another night of fascinating talks, interviews and panel discussions, putting a spotlight on creative entrepreneurship, branding and competition. Despite the event’s predetermined theme, the evening’s conversations centered on a much larger issue: the truth.
“Indie brands are the frontrunners of truth,” declared John Weich, creative director of Monumental Propaganda. The writer and storyteller is convinced that communication is essential to independent brands, enabling them to enhance their products by conveying what is true. “There are two things you can do when starting an indie brand,” he said. “Find the truth and tell it. Or create a myth and sell it.” Though compelling stories have a way of captivating audiences, revealing the entire truth may not be in a brand’s best interest, particularly during the early stages of development. The strategic alternative is truth with a slant.
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