NHV Hoedenwedstrijd 2026

'Say Hat to the Dress'

Jury

Meet the jury!

We are thrilled with the three enthusiastic jury members for the 2026 competition. Let them introduce themselves:

 

Niki Bierling (chairman)

"I can't imagine a life without hats!"

 

Born (1961) and raised in Spijkenisse, I loved costume parties as a child and fantasized with veils, hats, and caps crocheted by my grandmother.
My mother taught me to crochet, knit, and sew, and I made new creations from my father's old shirts. After high school, I enrolled in teacher training college (PABO). And after some wanderings and additional training, I became a textile arts teacher at a MLK school in Rotterdam. The first hat I made was my bridal hat (1984), which I still keep. Later, I attended various workshops, courses, and masterclasses in millinery and completed a millinery training program.

 

For years, I've been working from my studio on beautiful commissions from clients. I've also won several awards for my submissions, have frequently exhibited my hats, and have also taught various workshops. The craft of hatmaking brings me joy because I work with beautiful materials and am always working on a unique creation.

 

I love natural shapes and playing with lines. As a judge, I'll definitely pay attention to that, as well as balance, wearability, and craftsmanship. I look forward to admiring all the entries and judging them with the other judges!

 

Gini Peters

I was born on July 3, 1966, and have a background in Communications, Business Administration, and Education. Since 2021, I've been the owner of Pippi Bridal Boutique in Venlo, where I help brides find their dream dress in an honest, relaxed, and personal way. I believe it's important that every bride can be completely herself, without pressure or expectations, and therefore shine on her wedding day.

 

My earliest memory of hats is as a child, fascinated by the way women added something extra to their look with a beautiful hat. A hat has a powerful quality: it's a statement, an extension of personality. Especially on a bride, I find a hat super cool and delightfully unique. It breaks the mold in a stylish way.

 

What I love about this theme is that it invites brides to dare to choose their own taste and preferences. It's precisely when a bride stays true to herself that something unique and genuine emerges. I'm really curious to see which designs will capture that personal power in a hat.

 

I've never been a judge before (at least, not that I remember), but I'm really looking forward to this experience. It would be amazing to see so much creativity, craftsmanship, and courage up close!

 

Femke Commandeur

I was born in 2006 in Beverwijk and still live there. After completing my pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO) diploma, I started the creative craftsman program at the Hout-en Meubilerings College (Wood and Furniture College) in Amsterdam. In this program, the first year and a half begins with making bags, shoes, and hats. I personally fell in love with hat making. In my program, we receive many design assignments that allow me and my creative mind to truly unleash their creativity.

 

My earliest memory of hats is my grandparents' wedding photos. They show my grandmother wearing a beautiful white hat. She wore it when she got married. Even as a small child, I was intrigued by beautiful hats.

 

My style can be described as contemporary with lots of color, just a little bit different. I enjoy pushing the boundaries when designing and making hats. I truly love a creative challenge.

 

I wouldn't call myself an expert on this topic, but I'm really looking forward to it. As a little kid, I loved looking at wedding dresses in magazines and on TV, and I still do. I've already devoured quite a few "Say Yes to the Dress" episodes.

 

I've never been a judge before, but I'm thrilled to be experiencing it now. I'm very curious to see the contestants' creations.