Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Blue Jeans.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Blue Jeans.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Majid.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Majid.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Agnes.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Mould.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Rianne.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
Rianne.

 

Amsterdam–based photography duo Freudenthal/Verhagen have spent over two decades perfecting their singular, jaw-dropping approach to photography that literally makes me go weak at the knees. In a good way, of course.

I first became aware of the Dutch fashion & fine art photography duo after seeing the incredible profile photos they captured for high profile designers, like Scholten & Baijings and Viktor & Rolf. My admiration for their work was cemented after I re-discovered them earlier this year in Milan, where they exhibited as part of the Dutch Pavilion during Milan Design Week 2017.

Carmen Freudenthal & Elle Verhagen (1965 & 1962) met right after graduating from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy were Carmen studied photography and Elle studied fashion design. There was an immediate recognition of a mutual taste in image making and what fashion imagery should look like, which formed the basis of their fruitful practice.

Carmen & Elle’s ongoing collaboration began in 1989, in the very first issue of I-D magazine. Since then, the duo relentlessly continue to search for ways to expand the definition of fashion photography, crossing lines between fashion and art, in their pursuit for cultural relevancy.

 

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
WHOLE book.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
WHOLE book.

Dreamy Photography by Dutch Duo Freudenthal/Verhagen | Yellowtrace
WHOLE book.

 

Their images have, over the years, become diverse in discipline and form. But what they continue to have in common is a sense of disturbance and multilayered storytelling. Stretching the confines of photography, Freudenthal/Verhagen have merged photographs into 3D installations, projected video onto photographs and printed photographs onto draped silk and other materials. More recently they started pouring epoxy over their black-and-white photos, creating oversized photographic murals.

Now a selection of their works has been brought together in the book titled WHOLE, designed to take us on a journey into their surreal, colourful and ground-breaking universe. More info on how to buy the book can be found here. And while you’re at it, pick us up a copy, k? Great, thanks.

 

 


[Images © Freudenthal/Verhagen.]

 



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

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