Ludi Naturae offers a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of Iris van Herpen’s Spring/Summer 2018 Haute Couture collection. Filmed between the Amsterdam atelier and Paris Haute Couture Week, the film documents the development of a collection inspired by the dynamic forces of nature and the invisible systems that shape the living world.

Drawing influence from the work of biologist and artist Ernst Haeckel, as well as the fluid structures found throughout the natural world, the collection explores the relationship between organic growth, movement, and couture craftsmanship. Traditional handwork, experimental techniques, and intricate material development come together in garments that appear to ripple, evolve, and transform like living organisms.

The film follows the collection from early experimentation through to the final runway presentation, revealing the collaboration between artisans, designers, engineers, and specialists behind each couture piece. Rather than focusing only on the finished garments, it offers a close view of the process, precision, and innovation that define van Herpen’s work.

Ludi Naturae is now featured within Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, the major travelling retrospective that premiered at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, continued through Queensland, Singapore, and Rotterdam, and the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Featured within the exhibition, the film gives visitors insight into the craftsmanship and experimentation behind one of van Herpen’s most celebrated collections.