Website developed on behalf of
the Frans Molenaar Foundation
Texts
Story design & development
All rights reserved.
The Frans Molenaar Foundation has
sought to identify and mention all rights holders.
@ 2025
Website developed on behalf of
the Frans Molenaar Foundation
Texts
Story design & development
All rights reserved.
The Frans Molenaar Foundation has
sought to identify and mention all rights holders.
@ 2025
Curriculum Vitae
11 mei 1940 - 9 januari 2015
1940
Frans Molenaar born in Amsterdam.
1955-1958
Training Vocational School for Tailors in Amsterdam.
1959-1960
Internship at Charles Montaigne in Paris.
1959
Private assignments in the Netherlands and France.
1960
Establishment of Frans Molenaar Couture in the Netherlands.
Awarding of two Silver Cotton Balls in a design competition for leisurewear, presented by Het Nederlands Katoeninstituut.
1961
17 Designs commissioned by 32 Dutch wool manufacturers.
1962
50 Designs for the NV Stoomweverij 'De Nijverdal' in Enschede.
1963
Collection series for Clothing Company Witteveen
1963-1964
Working as a tailor at the studio of Guy Laroche in Paris. Working as a tailor at the studio of Guy Laroche in Paris.
1964-1966
1st Assistant Designer Haute Couture of Gérard Pipart, Nina Ricci, in Paris.
1967-1978
Frans Molenaar Couture, Van Baerlestraat 14, Amsterdam.
1969
Company clothing designed for The Hague cleaning service.
1970
World Expo Osaka, clothing designer Dutch Pavilion.
1977
Presentation Gallery Nouvelle Image in The Hague in collaboration with Bonies, Dekker, and Struyken.
1977-2004
Designer for Van Kollum Men's Fashion, later United Fashion Makers (UFM) in Waalwijk.
1978-2015
Frans Molenaar Haute Couture, Orange Nassaulaan 13, Amsterdam.
1986-1987
Overview exhibition of Frans Molenaar Haute Couture 1967-1987 at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. Presentation of the book 'Frans Molenaar Haute Couture'.
1987
Foster Parents Plan, pro bono designs for merchandising.
1988
Amnesty International, pro bono designs for merchandising.
1989
‘Constructivist Triptych’, Molenaar, Bonies, and Ten Holt at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
1989
‘Constructivist Triptych’, Molenaar, Bonies and Ten Holt in Tokyo during the Japan-Holland trade dinner.
1989-2012
Frans Molenaar Design Center, Jan Luijkenstraat 104, Amsterdam.
1989-2000
Under contract with Toyoshima & Co. Ltd. In Tokyo. Various licenses for the Japanese market.
1989-2014
Work clothing designed for, among others:
AKZO
Volkswagen
Gamma
Hoogovens
Heineken
The Red Cross
Rabobank Amsterdam and surrounding areas
Schiphol
Fokker
Cemstro
Albert Heijn
Randstad
Royal Netherlands Army
1990
Haute Couture Show in Tokyo by invitation of the EVD on the occasion of the Holland Trade Dinner, following the state visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Japan
1991
Haute Couture Show in Toronto by invitation of the EVD on the occasion of the Holland Trade Dinner.
1994
Haute Couture Show in Maastricht made of only linen materials to promote Dutch Flax Linen in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
1995
In collaboration with Royal Leerdam, a series of crystal vases, unique, designed.
1996
Presentation of the first Frans Molenaar prize worth ƒ 25,000.
Frans Molenaar receives a royal decoration in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Haute Couture Show in Norfolk (Virginia, USA) at the invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Washington on the occasion of the annual Azalea Festival of NATO.
Haute Couture Show in Washington D.C. by invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Washington on the occasion of the opening of the new embassy building.
1997
First Men's Couture Show at the Amstel Hotel.
1998
Haute Couture Show in Shanghai at the invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Shanghai.
Exhibition 'Frans Molenaar Design' at the Jan van der Togt museum in Amstelveen. New crystal vases produced in Leerdam and a collection of sculptures made in Murano, Venice.
Opening exhibition at Glasgalerie Rob van den Doel in The Hague. Also presentation of the glass book 'Haute Verrerie'.
1999
Tableware designed in collaboration with Mosa Porcelain.
Refine 'Haute Peinture' in collaboration with Van Wijhe Verf.
2000
Presentation of the Ford Ka Couture, a Ford Ka restyled by Frans Molenaar.
2001
Opening exhibition of glass and photographic works at the Jan van der Togt Museum in Amstelveen.
2002
Sunglasses line designed in collaboration with Pearle.
Ford Ka Couture ll restyled by Frans Molenaar.
2003
Shoe line by Frans Molenaar for Manfield in honor of their 100th anniversary.
Received the Max Heijmans ring from Ietse Meij.
Correction frame line designed in collaboration with Pearle.
Bicycle Amazon restyled for Sparta.
Opening exhibition 'Fashion in Glass' at the gallery of Berengo Fine Arts in Amsterdam.
2005
Clothing designed for Rabobank Amsterdam and Surroundings.
Presentation Haut Parfum 2005. This exclusive perfume is housed in a crystal bottle specially designed by Frans Molenaar, hand-blown in a mold, and is sold in a limited edition of 500 pieces.
Opening overview exhibition ‘Frans Molenaar - 45 years of couture in photos’ at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht. Also, presentation of the new book by Frans Molenaar.
Awarding of the 10th Frans Molenaar Prize.
Presentation of the 80th Couture Show.
Opening glass art exhibition Galerie Etienne & Van den Doel in Oisterwijk.
Glass exhibition at the Jan van der Togt museum in Amstelveen.
2006
Collection of carpets for Karpi.
2008
Launch of the outdoor furniture collection 'Haute Terrasse' for Borek.
2009
Exhibition 'Haute Verrerie' at Museum Jan van der Togt.
2009-2013
Collections designed for C&A, ladies and gentlemen
2010
Guest curator Gallery Ten Haaf Projects
2012
Collection of curtains for Vadain
2014
Collection of recliners for Prominent
Presentation of the 98th and final Couture collection, September 2014
2015
Exhibition 'Ode to Dutch Fashion' Gemeentemuseum The Hague (posthumously)
2015
Designs for 'Alzheimer Socks' (posthumous)
Curriculum Vitae
11 mei 1940 - 9 januari 2015
1940
Frans Molenaar born in Amsterdam.
1955-1958
Training Vocational School for Tailors in Amsterdam.
1959-1960
Internship at Charles Montaigne in Paris.
1959
Private assignments in the Netherlands and France.
1960
Establishment of Frans Molenaar Couture in the Netherlands.
Awarding of two Silver Cotton Balls in a design competition for leisurewear, presented by Het Nederlands Katoeninstituut.
1961
17 Designs commissioned by 32 Dutch wool manufacturers.
1962
50 Designs for the NV Stoomweverij 'De Nijverdal' in Enschede.
1963
Collection series for Clothing Company Witteveen
1963-1964
Working as a tailor at the studio of Guy Laroche in Paris. Working as a tailor at the studio of Guy Laroche in Paris.
1964-1966
1st Assistant Designer Haute Couture of Gérard Pipart, Nina Ricci, in Paris.
1967-1978
Frans Molenaar Couture, Van Baerlestraat 14, Amsterdam.
1969
Company clothing designed for The Hague cleaning service.
1970
World Expo Osaka, clothing designer Dutch Pavilion.
1977
Presentation Gallery Nouvelle Image in The Hague in collaboration with Bonies, Dekker, and Struyken.
1977-2004
Designer for Van Kollum Men's Fashion, later United Fashion Makers (UFM) in Waalwijk.
1978-2015
Frans Molenaar Haute Couture, Orange Nassaulaan 13, Amsterdam.
1986-1987
Overview exhibition of Frans Molenaar Haute Couture 1967-1987 at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. Presentation of the book 'Frans Molenaar Haute Couture'.
1987
Foster Parents Plan, pro bono designs for merchandising.
1988
Amnesty International, pro bono designs for merchandising.
1989
‘Constructivist Triptych’, Molenaar, Bonies, and Ten Holt at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
1989
‘Constructivist Triptych’, Molenaar, Bonies and Ten Holt in Tokyo during the Japan-Holland trade dinner.
1989-2012
Frans Molenaar Design Center, Jan Luijkenstraat 104, Amsterdam.
1989-2000
Under contract with Toyoshima & Co. Ltd. In Tokyo. Various licenses for the Japanese market.
1989-2014
Work clothing designed for, among others:
AKZO
Volkswagen
Gamma
Hoogovens
Heineken
The Red Cross
Rabobank Amsterdam and surrounding areas
Schiphol
Fokker
Cemstro
Albert Heijn
Randstad
Royal Netherlands Army
1990
Haute Couture Show in Tokyo by invitation of the EVD on the occasion of the Holland Trade Dinner, following the state visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Japan
1991
Haute Couture Show in Toronto by invitation of the EVD on the occasion of the Holland Trade Dinner.
1994
Haute Couture Show in Maastricht made of only linen materials to promote Dutch Flax Linen in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
1995
In collaboration with Royal Leerdam, a series of crystal vases, unique, designed.
1996
Presentation of the first Frans Molenaar prize worth ƒ 25,000.
Frans Molenaar receives a royal decoration in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Haute Couture Show in Norfolk (Virginia, USA) at the invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Washington on the occasion of the annual Azalea Festival of NATO.
Haute Couture Show in Washington D.C. by invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Washington on the occasion of the opening of the new embassy building.
1997
First Men's Couture Show at the Amstel Hotel.
1998
Haute Couture Show in Shanghai at the invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Shanghai.
Exhibition 'Frans Molenaar Design' at the Jan van der Togt museum in Amstelveen. New crystal vases produced in Leerdam and a collection of sculptures made in Murano, Venice.
Opening exhibition at Glasgalerie Rob van den Doel in The Hague. Also presentation of the glass book 'Haute Verrerie'.
1999
Tableware designed in collaboration with Mosa Porcelain.
Refine 'Haute Peinture' in collaboration with Van Wijhe Verf.
2000
Presentation of the Ford Ka Couture, a Ford Ka restyled by Frans Molenaar.
2001
Opening exhibition of glass and photographic works at the Jan van der Togt Museum in Amstelveen.
2002
Sunglasses line designed in collaboration with Pearle.
Ford Ka Couture ll restyled by Frans Molenaar.
2003
Shoe line by Frans Molenaar for Manfield in honor of their 100th anniversary.
Received the Max Heijmans ring from Ietse Meij.
Correction frame line designed in collaboration with Pearle.
Bicycle Amazon restyled for Sparta.
Opening exhibition 'Fashion in Glass' at the gallery of Berengo Fine Arts in Amsterdam.
2005
Clothing designed for Rabobank Amsterdam and Surroundings.
Presentation Haut Parfum 2005. This exclusive perfume is housed in a crystal bottle specially designed by Frans Molenaar, hand-blown in a mold, and is sold in a limited edition of 500 pieces.
Opening overview exhibition ‘Frans Molenaar - 45 years of couture in photos’ at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht. Also, presentation of the new book by Frans Molenaar.
Awarding of the 10th Frans Molenaar Prize.
Presentation of the 80th Couture Show.
Opening glass art exhibition Galerie Etienne & Van den Doel in Oisterwijk.
Glass exhibition at the Jan van der Togt museum in Amstelveen.
2006
Collection of carpets for Karpi.
2008
Launch of the outdoor furniture collection 'Haute Terrasse' for Borek.
2009
Exhibition 'Haute Verrerie' at Museum Jan van der Togt.
2009-2013
Collections designed for C&A, ladies and gentlemen
2010
Guest curator Gallery Ten Haaf Projects
2012
Collection of curtains for Vadain
2014
Collection of recliners for Prominent
Presentation of the 98th and final Couture collection, September 2014
2015
Exhibition 'Ode to Dutch Fashion' Gemeentemuseum The Hague (posthumously)
2015
Designs for 'Alzheimer Socks' (posthumous)
Curriculum Vitae
11 mei 1940 - 9 januari 2015
1940
Frans Molenaar born in Amsterdam.
1955-1958
Training Vocational School for Tailors in Amsterdam.
1959-1960
Internship at Charles Montaigne in Paris.
1959
Private assignments in the Netherlands and France.
1960
Establishment of Frans Molenaar Couture in the Netherlands.
Awarding of two Silver Cotton Balls in a design competition for leisurewear, presented by Het Nederlands Katoeninstituut.
1961
17 Designs commissioned by 32 Dutch wool manufacturers.
1962
50 Designs for the NV Stoomweverij 'De Nijverdal' in Enschede.
1963
Collection series for Clothing Company Witteveen
1963-1964
Working as a tailor at the studio of Guy Laroche in Paris. Working as a tailor at the studio of Guy Laroche in Paris.
1964-1966
1st Assistant Designer Haute Couture of Gérard Pipart, Nina Ricci, in Paris.
1967-1978
Frans Molenaar Couture, Van Baerlestraat 14, Amsterdam.
1969
Company clothing designed for The Hague cleaning service.
1970
World Expo Osaka, clothing designer Dutch Pavilion.
1977
Presentation Gallery Nouvelle Image in The Hague in collaboration with Bonies, Dekker, and Struyken.
1977-2004
Designer for Van Kollum Men's Fashion, later United Fashion Makers (UFM) in Waalwijk.
1978-2015
Frans Molenaar Haute Couture, Orange Nassaulaan 13, Amsterdam.
1986-1987
Overview exhibition of Frans Molenaar Haute Couture 1967-1987 at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. Presentation of the book 'Frans Molenaar Haute Couture'.
1987
Foster Parents Plan, pro bono designs for merchandising.
1988
Amnesty International, pro bono designs for merchandising.
1989
‘Constructivist Triptych’, Molenaar, Bonies, and Ten Holt at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
1989
‘Constructivist Triptych’, Molenaar, Bonies and Ten Holt in Tokyo during the Japan-Holland trade dinner.
1989-2012
Frans Molenaar Design Center, Jan Luijkenstraat 104, Amsterdam.
1989-2000
Under contract with Toyoshima & Co. Ltd. In Tokyo. Various licenses for the Japanese market.
1989-2014
Work clothing designed for, among others:
AKZO
Volkswagen
Gamma
Hoogovens
Heineken
The Red Cross
Rabobank Amsterdam and surrounding areas
Schiphol
Fokker
Cemstro
Albert Heijn
Randstad
Royal Netherlands Army
1990
Haute Couture Show in Tokyo by invitation of the EVD on the occasion of the Holland Trade Dinner, following the state visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Japan
1991
Haute Couture Show in Toronto by invitation of the EVD on the occasion of the Holland Trade Dinner.
1994
Haute Couture Show in Maastricht made of only linen materials to promote Dutch Flax Linen in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
1995
In collaboration with Royal Leerdam, a series of crystal vases, unique, designed.
1996
Presentation of the first Frans Molenaar prize worth ƒ 25,000.
Frans Molenaar receives a royal decoration in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Haute Couture Show in Norfolk (Virginia, USA) at the invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Washington on the occasion of the annual Azalea Festival of NATO.
Haute Couture Show in Washington D.C. by invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Washington on the occasion of the opening of the new embassy building.
1997
First Men's Couture Show at the Amstel Hotel.
1998
Haute Couture Show in Shanghai at the invitation of the Dutch Embassy in Shanghai.
Exhibition 'Frans Molenaar Design' at the Jan van der Togt museum in Amstelveen. New crystal vases produced in Leerdam and a collection of sculptures made in Murano, Venice.
Opening exhibition at Glasgalerie Rob van den Doel in The Hague. Also presentation of the glass book 'Haute Verrerie'.
1999
Tableware designed in collaboration with Mosa Porcelain.
Refine 'Haute Peinture' in collaboration with Van Wijhe Verf.
2000
Presentation of the Ford Ka Couture, a Ford Ka restyled by Frans Molenaar.
2001
Opening exhibition of glass and photographic works at the Jan van der Togt Museum in Amstelveen.
2002
Sunglasses line designed in collaboration with Pearle.
Ford Ka Couture ll restyled by Frans Molenaar.
2003
Shoe line by Frans Molenaar for Manfield in honor of their 100th anniversary.
Received the Max Heijmans ring from Ietse Meij.
Correction frame line designed in collaboration with Pearle.
Bicycle Amazon restyled for Sparta.
Opening exhibition 'Fashion in Glass' at the gallery of Berengo Fine Arts in Amsterdam.
2005
Clothing designed for Rabobank Amsterdam and Surroundings.
Presentation Haut Parfum 2005. This exclusive perfume is housed in a crystal bottle specially designed by Frans Molenaar, hand-blown in a mold, and is sold in a limited edition of 500 pieces.
Opening overview exhibition ‘Frans Molenaar - 45 years of couture in photos’ at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht. Also, presentation of the new book by Frans Molenaar.
Awarding of the 10th Frans Molenaar Prize.
Presentation of the 80th Couture Show.
Opening glass art exhibition Galerie Etienne & Van den Doel in Oisterwijk.
Glass exhibition at the Jan van der Togt museum in Amstelveen.
2006
Collection of carpets for Karpi.
2008
Launch of the outdoor furniture collection 'Haute Terrasse' for Borek.
2009
Exhibition 'Haute Verrerie' at Museum Jan van der Togt.
2009-2013
Collections designed for C&A, ladies and gentlemen
2010
Guest curator Gallery Ten Haaf Projects
2012
Collection of curtains for Vadain
2014
Collection of recliners for Prominent
Presentation of the 98th and final Couture collection, September 2014
2015
Exhibition 'Ode to Dutch Fashion' Gemeentemuseum The Hague (posthumously)
2015
Designs for 'Alzheimer Socks' (posthumous)