This month, the Trend Train is whizzingaround the beautiful sites of Amsterdam to witness the creation of

Muldooneys of London SS/Fall 2012/2013 photo shoot.

The Film : The Dutch Connection Starring : Leading Lady – Sterre Sparreboom Creative Styling : Marlene Naicker Shot on Location : Museum van Loon, Troepen Institute, Caf American – The Eden Amsterdam American Hotel, Herengracht 89a, Amsterdam Cinematography : Creative Crew with Robert Elsing and Marsha Greuter Production Director : Atze Schuiling Publicist : Caroline Simon Accessories : Muldooneys of London SS/Fall 2012/2013 Couture : Atelier LeonLeon Pashminas : Cosmoqueen

The scene is set – 05:00 wake up call for a 07:30 shoot start on. Weather – temperate, blue skies – not a cloud in sight, we all meet at Muldooneys HQ promptly at 07:00 for croissants and coffee before heading off to the Museum van Loon.Our faithful green bus all packed and ready with Couture gowns from Atelier LeonLeon, the charming and effervescent Sterre Sparreboom and the beautiful Muldooneys London SS/Fall 2012/2013 Collection made its way along the cobbled stone canals of the Keizersgracht. Eventually we arrived at the Museum van Loon, a magnificent private residence built in 1672 by the architect Adriaen Dortsman for the Van Loon Family, co founders of the Dutch East India Company in 1602 by Willem van Loon. We were met at the souterrain by Diederick von Bogenhausen, who graciously had refreshments prepared and walked us through the house, opening the enormous shutters and lights as Tuesdays the home is closed to the public. We were by all accounts not the only film crew present as the grand French House Hermes was

also on site.We started out in the gardens with the Coach house has backdrop for the Black Zaffiano Line, the clean lines, ceramic stairs and black doors blending in with the matt of black leather. Moving then into the light blue garden room with its impressive chandeliers and 18th century chair which proved to be the perfect seating spot for the jacinth blue Blythe and Mabel Bags.The sumptuous dining room, all bathed in orange, the warm hues of the red room, bedroom and library with all its golden age splendor and art done by one of Rembrandts pupils – Ferdinand Bol, provided the perfect locations for the Asian bronzes and metallic coppers, black and the warm zesty tangerine.Sterre was in her element, every request, suggestion taken and interpretated in the most feline of poses. As we were later to see, her presence and body language is second to none.After nearly four hours of shooting, we ventured to the canals of the Herengracht. Pristine blue

skies and a warm summery day ensured the canals were alive with tourists, bikers and just ordinary Amsterdammers – who love a little bit of theatre. Tourists stopped as the crew set up shop, snapping photos, while cars and bikers made way. The atmosphere was of happy heady summer days!On the bridge separating the beautiful Browersgracht from the stately Herengracht was where the Hayley bag in ostrich rifle green came alive with the pashminas from CosmoQueen. The green of the backdrop blending in subtly with sunshine through the foliage.Two more photos at the Herengracht 89a, and we had the inside of our back cover, with Couture from Atelier Leonleon, who I am told will be in Kuwait this November!As dusk fell, the old tree trunk and water fountain at the Weteringschans Park was set alight with bulbs and cameras as the brown lizard Amelia, Leah Hobo and Romy tote created a small nest amongst the dried bark and twigs.

MUSEUM VAN LOON HERENGRACHT

The chique Cornelis Schuystraat in Amsterdam, Old South. The sun was yet to emerge and we took the opportunity to quickly set up cameras and lights before the street gained life. Sterre emerged in stylish, elegant clothing with the Tatum bag in chocolate brown croc and the Davina Tote in Zaffiano Black – at times, cheekily waving to the small crowd that was now starting to appear. As the sun rose we set out for the Troepen Institute to meet with Willemijn who had arranged open passes to the entire institute.

Built in 1910 by the Dutch architect J.J. van Nieukerken in a neo-renaissance style using one color for the bricks and one type of natural stone for the imposing octagonal Marble Hall was a fantastic location for the grand theater of the Bronze collection.The Erin, Betsy and Gerda clutch, with the luxurious pashmina from Cosmoqueen in this seasons key color Apple sage came alive in the most unlikely of likely settings – that of the Royal Cloakroom – the beautiful Moorish mosaics in blue, greens and dulcet yellows

blending in splendidly with the trio.A quick lunch at Spargo and we ventured forth towards final stage of the shoot location, Café Americain, the Grand dame of Art Décor Cafes in Amsterdam, part of the The Eden Amsterdam American Hotel built in 1900. With its stained-glass windows and art deco touches, the scene had been set to transport us back to the roaring twenties. It was here where we would convincingly get our cover shot with the Thera Tote on the terrace. It was a perfect finale to a theatrical performance.

CAFÈ AMERICAIN

CHIQUE CORNELIS SCHUYSTRAAT TROEPEN INSTITUTE

Marlene Naicker is Founder and Creative Director of Muldooneys – London. The brand Muldooneys is renowned for its luxury

leather accessories, notably handbags, designed for sophisticated, independent, fashion concious women.

Muldooneys 2012/2013 epitomises all the key colours trends from jacinth blues, apple sage, coppers and bronze, tangerines in clean lines and every now and then small fussy details, which gives the collection the Glam factor. The collection has been inspired by travel, a bit of mellow drama and exotic locations. Our capsule Collection – Crackled Bronze Snake was inspired by the rich city of Doha, blending the mystique of the East meeting West.

In 1981, Leon Klaasens Bos started his quest to form the perfect gown, after spending years growing up creating fairytale ballgowns. Amsterdam led to Paris where he was met Katoucha, the model and muse of Yves Saint Laurent who wanted to set up her own fashion house. She led him to the house of Yves who Leon apprenticed with. “The things I saw there gave me that extra that you otherwise won’t discover. The quality, standard, construction, and most of all, the deceiving simplicity of the height of fashion,” Leon revealed. And his time there set the stage for Atelier LeonLeon in ready to wear.

Affiliated with the foundation The King Hussein Foundation in Jordan with Queen Noor and the Jordan River Foundation with Queen Rania. CosmoQueen empowers impoverished woman by teaching them skills which help them create beautiful handmade pashminas in silk and other exotic materials.