BIOGRAPHY

The family of Dutch designer esquire Michael Sebastiaan Barnaart van Bergen (b 1983, Alkmaar) has roots in the Dutch textile industry of the 17th century. With House Barnaart as a tangible legacy, he continues a centuries-old tradition of design and craft.

After a graphic design degree, he attended fashion school at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute. Barnaart presented his first couture collection at Amsterdam Fashion Week in 2008. His first ready-to-wear collection followed a year later, after which he focused entirely on tricot. In 2010, he opened his webshop. From 2011 to 2023, he worked from his atelier and boutique in the centre of The Hague, where he was appointed fashion ambassador of the city. Since 2024, he has worked from petit château Le Piot in Fleurance, France. His work is available exclusively online and at selected outlets.

Several collection pieces have been included in international museum collections. His work is characterised by accessibility, clear design and strong graphic designs. The collections are produced in limited editions and using traditional methods, with attention to the environment and working conditions.

Museums and exhibitions

2024 – 2025 Kunstmuseum The Hague (the Netherlands)

Dress Dripping, exhibition “Grand Dessert – The History of Dessert”.

2024 – 2025 Verwey Museum Haarlem (the Netherlands)

Dolly Bellefleur brooch, “Let love rule – Dolly Bellefleur 35 years on the barricades” exhibition.

2024 – 2025 Fabrique des Lumières, Amsterdam (the Netherlands)

Brooch Girl with the Pearl Earring, digital projection, exhibition “#Mygirlwithapearl – The Immersive Edition”.

2023 – 2024 Wilhelm-Hack-Museum in Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Germany)

Dress Mondrian III, exhibition “Re-Inventing Piet. Mondrian and the Consequences”.

2023 Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (Germany)

Dress Mondrian III, exhibition “Re-Inventing Piet. Mondrian and the Consequences”.

2023 Mauritshuis, The Hague (the Netherlands)

Girl with a Pearl brooch, digital projection, “My girl with a pearl” exhibition.

2022 Artzaanstad, Zaandam (the Netherlands)

Broche Dolly Bellefleur, tentoonstelling ‘Made in Dolland: de beeldtaal van Dolly Bellefleur’.

2022 City Palace Fulda (Germany)

Brooch Étoile, major summer exhibition “Design & Dynasty”.

2020-2021 Museum of the 20th Century (Museum van de 20e Eeuw, Hoorn, the Netherlands)

Various illustrations and designs, exhibition “Jan, Jans en de kinderen 50 jaar” (“Jack, Jacky and the Juniors 50 years”).

2019 Museum Naïrac, Barneveld (the Netherlands)

Various designs such as the Audrey dress, “Wanted M/F” exhibition.

2017-2018 Modemuseum Hasselt (Belgium)

Mondrian dress, “The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined” exhibition.

2017 Kunstmuseum The Hague (the Netherlands)

Mondrian Dress, Composition in Black and Mondrian Dress II, “Fashion in Style” exhibition.

2016-2017 Barbican Art Gallery, London (United Kingdom)

Mondrian dress, “The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined” exhibition.

2015-2016 Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (Kunstmuseum The Hague, the Netherlands)

Dripping dress in black and beige, “Ode to Dutch fashion” exhibition.

2015-2016 Centraal Museum Utrecht en ‘Centraal Museum Etalage’ in Hoog Catherijne (the Netherlands)

Various designs such as the Mondrian dress, alternately shown in combination with furniture by Gerrit Rietveld.

2014 Kunsthal Rotterdam (the Netherlands)

Shoe design from the “Sacha & Michael Barnaart van Bergen” anniversary collection, exhibition “S.H.O.E.S, Sexy Heels or Easy Sandals”.

2012 Oranienbaum Palace, Dessau (Germany)

Couture dress, “Dutch Design: Huis van Oranje (House of Orange)” exhibition.

2011-2012 Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (Kunstmuseum The Hague, the Netherlands)

Dripping dress in orange with beige, “Fashion ♥ Art: an affair” exhibition.

2016: “The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined” at the Barbican Art Gallery, London (UK).