Photographer Nicky Onderwater – Talent Noah Willemse – Fashion Renske van der Ploeg – Grooming Leanne van Niekerk – Interview by Melania Musci
Coat Stone Island – Shirt Levi’s – Trousers Dolce&Gabbana – Triangle Scarf Extreme Cashmere / Suit Bonne Suit – Sandals and BoxerDolce&Gabbana – Socks Falcke
How did you first start working with mirrors? Was it something you explored during your studies, or did it happen by chance?
It all happened quite organically. I studied Industrial Design Engineering in Amsterdam, a field that’s creative in its own way, and later ended up working in construction. Even during my studies, I already sensed that a conventional career path wasn’t for me. I couldn’t picture myself behind a laptop all day and nothing I came across while job‑hunting really resonated. The turning point came by accident. I was once asked to throw away a set of stained‑glass windows that were still in perfect condition. It felt wrong, so I took them home and started experimenting. I began small, making handcrafted pieces simply because I felt the urge to work with my hands. I even turned it into a little business for a while, but eventually it stopped challenging me. Then it clicked: a mirror is just glass with a reflective backing. So I tried combining the two. After making my first mirror, I never really stopped. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
Glass has been central to your work from the beginning. Are there other materials you’re curious to explore?
At the moment, I feel there’s still so much to explore within glass that I’m not in a rush to move away from it. What interests me now is pushing the material further, experimenting with more three‑dimensional forms through melting. I’m also curious about the relationship between mirrors and light, and how adding that element could create a new layer of depth and experience in the work.
White Shirt, Checked Shirt and Coat Yoost – Striped Polo Paul Smith – Checked Shirt Yoost – Loafers Church’s – Socks Falke / Jumper Extreme Casmere – Bermuda Yoost
Socks Falke – Shoe Samsoe Samsoee
Coat Samsoe Samsoe – Shirt Lemaire – Tie Dior / Knitwear V Extreme Cashmere – Shorts Dsquared – Sandal Dolce&Gabbana – Socks Falke
On your website, you mention that your happiness lies in hands-on work and crafting. Is that something that was passed down to you, or did you discover it on your own?
Working with my hands has always come naturally to me. I wouldn’t say it was something explicitly passed down, but it was definitely present around me. As a kid, I was always drawing, filling pages with sketches. My grandfather had a creative side, which may have influenced me, but a lot of it I discovered on my own. I spent hours watching people make things online and after a while it became almost irresistible — I had to try it myself.
One of your mirrors even made it onto a runway. Would a collaboration with a big fashion house excite you?
I already draw a lot of inspiration from the fashion world, often translating different styles and aesthetics into my designs. Seeing that connection come full circle in such a visible and expressive way would be incredibly exciting and deeply meaningful. So yes, absolutely.
Looking at your reflection is such a daily and intimate gesture. What do you hope people experience when they live with one of your works?
What I hope, above all, is that people feel encouraged to truly see themselves. Beyond creating something visually compelling, I’m driven by the idea of bringing out the best in others. I hope to inspire them to pursue what they genuinely want in life. A mirror feels like the perfect medium for that. When someone looks into one of my pieces, I hope they allow themselves to meet their own reflection and maybe find the courage to make choices that align with who they really are. On the back of every mirror I make, I write the phrase ‘You are the art.’ It’s a simple idea, but one I believe in wholeheartedly. The piece may be crafted as an artwork, but the true artwork is the person standing in front of it. At the same time, my work is often inspired by nature and organic forms. I hope that presence brings a sense of calm into a space.
Coat Stone Island – Shirt Levi’s – Trousers Dolce&Gabbana – Triangle Scarf Extreme Cashmere / Polo and Cardigan Samsoe Samsoe – Shorts Calvin Klein – Sandals Dolce&Gabbana – Socks Falke
If you could place one of your mirrors anywhere in the world, what would that space be like?
I’d choose a place surrounded by nature, somewhere people naturally come together. Not necessarily an exclusive setting or one defined by a specific audience, but just a space where individuals can experience the work in their own way. At the same time, I’m drawn to the idea of placing my work in the world of artists I admire. I often see parallels between my process and that of musicians or performers: working toward a collection feels similar to creating an album, both carrying a sense of anticipation and vulnerability in how it will be received. Having my work exist within that creative sphere, alongside artists who inspire me, would feel like a meaningful connection between different forms of expression.
In Western culture, superstition says that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. What’s your reaction if something breaks while you’re working on a piece?
I don’t really believe in superstition, so breaking a mirror doesn’t feel like bad luck to me. I genuinely think mistakes don’t exist in a negative sense. They’re part of the process and there’s always something to learn from them. Of course, in the moment it can be frustrating when something breaks, especially after putting time and care into a piece. But I don’t dwell on it for long.
Polo and Cardigan Samsoe Samsoe – Shorts Calvin Klein
When you decided not to work for a company and started your own project, what were the biggest challenges you faced?
The biggest challenge, quite simply, was financial. It took a long time before I was able to consistently sell my work and during that period I relied heavily on my savings. Another major difficulty was shipping. My work is fragile and in the beginning I had to learn through trial and error how to handle that properly. Over time, I’ve refined that side of the business and it’s now something I feel much more in control of.
As you know, this series for The Greatest’s website is called ‘Handshake’. Whose handshake would feel like a milestone in your career?
I’d say Olaolu Slawn. The way he has built an entire world around his art is incredibly inspiring to me. I love the idea of worldbuilding and it’s something I want to do with my mirrors as well.
You often work with discarded or leftover materials. If your company were to grow significantly one day how would you want to maintain that sustainable approach?
Sustainability is something I’d always want to protect, no matter how much my work grows. I’ve always had a strong aversion to wasting materials, so being mindful of how I use them is a natural part of my process. While I do have ambitions to grow, I don’t necessarily imagine that growth as scaling production or having many others make my work. I want to stay close to the making itself that’s where the intention and the sustainability really live.