About Atelier Lotte Roelofs

I am Lotte Roelofs, designer and maker of custom-made clothing in Amsterdam. The fancy word for this is couture. In my studio, I design and make clothing that is completely tailor-made, with attention to fit, material, and detail.

My love for creativity and craftsmanship was sparked by my grandmother from an early age. When we were together, fabrics and creativity were always close at hand.

My grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit and encouraged me to keep discovering and learning more. She was also critical. When I proudly came down the stairs at age 18 in my homemade prom dress, her eyes betrayed that I might have been better off asking for help after all. Fortunately, I had a few more years to do so.

For years, I worked in an office job after studying Art & Cultural Studies at Erasmus University. But making and creating things continued to gnaw at me. So I made clothes in the evenings to recharge my batteries.

The big turning point came in 2022, during a visit to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum in Spain. I was standing there in front of a dress and asked myself, "What am I actually doing with my life?" At that moment, I realized that I had to take my passion for couture seriously. I decided to completely change my career.

I quit my job and took the entrance exam for the two-year Associate Degree program Tailor Professional (formerly Master Tailor) in Amsterdam. An important part of the program was my internship at the haute couture studio of Viktor & Rolf. Working in such a creative and demanding studio shaped my craftsmanship.

What drives me to make custom-made/couture clothing for others now is the satisfaction of creating tailor-made pieces. A garment that fits like a second skin. It gives you the feeling of something that is truly made for you. I love connecting with people, hearing their stories, and incorporating that into their clothing.