Patricia&Leon
Patricia Dekkers and Leon Bloemendaal are powerful and talented couple of Dutch designers. Both graduated from Utrecht School of the Arts(HKU).
We met with Patricia in Tallinn during the first international contemporary jewellery event Millenium 1 at 1994. She and two other Dutch students stayed for couple extra weeks in Estonia and we showed them around. At the same year, late Autumn we(also 3 girls) had a chance for the return visit to Utrecht. We stayed for one month at Patricias place and got to know Leon then. It was first trip for us to Western Europe. Most of the time we did wow, and were looking at the things eyes wide open all days long! We were shocked that people tried to kiss us three times every single time they saw us. Mostly we were eating Milky Way straight from the jar and drinking very cheap Martini Bianco or wine, because in Estonia it was not affordable then. We were amazed to see that churches were turned to shopping or culture centeres and people did not use curtains. Biggest entertainment was to cycle around on our bikes and look what Dutch people were busy with at their houses.
Leon gave us quick overview of contemporary music. Both alternative and classic. As I remember he was financing his studies partly by working some days a week in the music store. Even now when I hear Portishead I think of him.
Utrecht as the city was cute and cosy with all its canals and wonderful cafeterias and lots of students around. At the very same trip I got the feeling that I have to return to this country.
It happened on 1997 I was accepted to Rietveld Academie. Dear Patricia offered me kindly again her roof. It was wonderful time, I must of been hassle, as I stayed too long before finding and moving to my own apartment. She is one of the sweetest and definitely most helpful person I know.
Later on we have met several times while I have been in Holland. They both haven´t been around here for ages. I hope they will come soon! And Happy Birthday to you Patricia!
On the picture Patricias work Wink 585. The same collection was selected for the Dutch Design Awards some years ago.
Photo: Anna Tiedink