Success Stories

Jef Montes

Jef Montes is a Dutch fashion designer based in Arnhem. While finalizing his Bachelor in Fashion Design at ArtEZ, he realized he has a fascination for creating materials. Currently Jef is working on the project ‘Marinero’ where he is learning how to design yarns and innovative filaments, in order to better understand what is going on in the fashion industry and figure out how to contribute to a sustainable future production chain. The project is in collaboration with the international Re-FREAM project, a new design platform connected with the S+T+ARTS community and funded by European Union horizon 2020. 

Jef participated in FASHIONCLASH Festival 2013, right after graduating. This was a stepping stone during a time where he was still looking for himself and where he wanted to go in the future. “I was very insecure and shy during that time, but the FASHIONCLASH team made me feel very warm and welcome. They supported me with giving international exposure that helped me to create follow ups and new opportunities.”

In 2018 Jef participated in Hyères International Festival for design and fashion. It was the moment ‘Marinero’ was born. That same year he also launched design studio Adaptive Skins. “I am the proudest of never being afraid to experiment, believing in myself and always pushing towards new chances. This is also my message to young upcoming designers, to never give up and always listen to your gut feeling.” Jef’s objective for the future is to develop Adaptive skins into a commercial business that serves as a platform to expand knowledge, share information, collaborate and invest. “What I dream of for the future is less individualism. More togetherness and global awareness. Focusing on innovative and timeless unique design.”