Call for Creative Advisory Council Members
State of Fashion invites new voices for the Creative Advisory Council (CAC). We are looking for sharp, engaged thinkers who want to become part of the Creative Advisory Council: an international group of advisors that acts as a creative sounding board for the State of Fashion organisation. We welcome applicants from across fashion, art, design, research and related fields, who are committed to critical inquiry, ethical practice and collective thinking.
Organisation
State of Fashion is an international platform that examines the current fashion system and presents constructive alternatives to dominant (exploitative) structures. We explicitly and honestly connect fashion with the societal questions and challenges of our time, such as inclusivity and fair practices, the impact of globalisation and the climate crisis. Our central question is: how can fashion and textiles contribute to a better world?
With a Biennale and structurally ongoing activities from the platform, including the ‘Perspectives On..’ programme, collaborative projects with (local and international) partners and publications, we bring together visionary ideas from the Netherlands and abroad. Together with designers, makers, education partners, researchers, businesses, consumers and other stakeholders in fashion and textiles, we explore an urgently needed new fashion system.
The State of Fashion Biennale takes place in Arnhem and builds on the tradition of the Arnhem Fashion Biennale. State of Fashion is part of several national and international networks, including The European Fashion Alliance (EFA), ModePartners 025 and NewTexEco. The foundation is structurally supported by the Municipality of Arnhem, and since 2021 State of Fashion has been included in the national cultural basic infrastructure (BIS) of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
More information: www.stateoffashion.org
About the Creative Advisory Council
The Creative Advisory Council (CAC) is a permanent part of State of Fashion’s organisation. The council safeguards the artistic quality of the platform and provides both solicited and unsolicited advice on State of Fashion’s artistic direction and development.
We are looking for new members
For the 2027-2028 period, State of Fashion is looking for new CAC members: Drawing on your own field of expertise, you will contribute perspectives, questions and critical reflection to the development of our artistic programme and the direction of the 2028 Biennale. The CAC offers a space for exchange: a place to challenge ideas, identify blind spots and help us keep our programme relevant, rigorous and connected to a broad range of practices and communities. We are not looking for a fixed combination of profiles, but are thinking of, among others:
– A strong research-driven profile, for example an international curator or artistic director with a distinct vision on fashion and textiles, art and societal issues.
– A profile with experience in international media and PR, who can draw on knowledge of press, communications and visibility to help shape how State of Fashion tells its story and positions itself externally.
What we ask, what we offer
The term runs from January 2027 up to and including the opening weekend of the Biennale in May 2028. During this period, we ask for participation in six meetings, held digitally, and attendance at the official Opening weekend of the Biennale in May 2028, in Arnhem.
Membership of the CAC is remunerated.
Interested?
Please send your motivation letter and CV by 30 October 2026 at the latest to info@stateoffashion.org, for the attention of Astrid Ubbink. This is also the address for any content-related questions about the vacancy.
The online interviews will be scheduled in the week of 9 till 13 November.
State of Fashion strives for a representative team. We endorse the Code for Diversity & Inclusion.