Q&A Jean School alumni: Mike van der Zanden

With the Jean School’s first alumni already having entered the workforce, FashionUnited contacted a few of them to catch up and take a moment to map out for which denim companies they currently work. This week a new alumni with a quick Q&A. Today Mike van der Zanden, Garment Technician at Garcia Jeans.

Why did you choose for Jean School?

“I was initially enrolled in the Arts Academy in Tilburg, the Netherlands, but this did not really suit me. Fashion, and denim in specific, always interested me, which is why I decided to apply for the Amsterdam Fashion Institute where I was admitted in 2008. However, over time I found out that haute couture is not for me, which is why I fully focussed on my professional sports career. I ended this in 2013, and in the same year coincidentally found out about the existence of this programme. Especially the hands on collaborations with the industry really appealed to me.”

What was the most valuable thing you learned at Jean School?

“Denim is a very distinct field within the fashion industry. At Jean School, we learnt all there is to know firsthand. Brands such as G-Star, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s organized seminars. Additionally, trade fair Kingpins was a useful way to get to know people from the industry. Different courses taught us about fabrics, whereas projects we did allowed us to apply this knowledge. Most of all, however, I learned a lot from doing internships. I interned at Kuyichi, Wrangler and Garcia Jeans. With the latter company everything felt so good that I was asked to come back after my studies.”

Where do you work now, and what is your job title?

“Since November 2016 I am working as a Garment Technician Denim Women for Garcia Jeans.”

How would you describe what an average day in your life looks like?

“I am mainly concerned with the production process: between the moment a garment is designed and the day it hits stores, a lot of steps are involved. The designer comes up with the design and I make sure that the end product will have the right fit. I ensure that the sizes are correct and control if the factory uses the right trims and if the washing is done correctly. Furthermore, we have our own warehouse and we check all shipments before sending them off.”

What ambitions do you still have?

“One day I would like to work for Levi’s: the most iconic jeans brand there is. This is the brand I owe my love for denim to. They have a fantastic own lab (Eureka Lab) in the United States where they experiment a lot with denim. Another great example is their collaboration with Google: Project Jacquard. Making ‘smart’ clothes is the future. And I love how a brand with such a rich history still keeps on innovating. Being able to contribute to that myself one day, would be amazing.”

About Jean School

Jean School offers both a three-year Dutch programme as well as a one-year international version which is completely taught in English. Both the Dutch as well as the English programme are focussed on four specific themes: innovation, sustainability, history and craftsmanship. Students receive training in a variety of both practical and theoretical aspects of denim, including sewing, pattern making, washing and buying. The programme is closely tied to the industry: students regularly receive guest lectures by professionals from the industry, and they also get the chance to participate in projects for which they have to collaborate with companies. Additionally, students annually attend the Amsterdam Denim Days as well as the Global Denim Awards and get to be involved in the renowned denim trade fair King Pins. More information on the programme, admission requirements and the application can be found on the Jean School website.

Since its establishment in 2012, a total of 21 students graduated from the programme. Of these alumni, the large majority has found a job in the denim industry.

Image: Thorsten Kohlhaas