After over fourteen years at Dstrezzed, Roy van de Kamp, sales manager and partner of the brand, has not only witnessed the company’s growth but also contributed to it. As Sales Director and partner of the brand, he was also a driving force behind this development. In an interview with FashionUnited, Van de Kamp looks back on his career in the fashion industry. He explains his vision for the evolution of Dstrezzed, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the changing fashion market.
Van de Kamp’s career in fashion began after studying at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI). He found his first job in the industry through an internship at VF Jeanswear. After a few years of experience at other Dutch labels he came to Dstrezzed. At that time it was still a young brand in development. “I was the second employee and the first account manager,” he says. There wasn’t much yet, but that’s exactly what appealed to me: the opportunity to design something from scratch. As a team, we often talk about creating something lasting, and that guides everything we do.”
His role as Sales Director is diverse and internationally oriented. “One moment I’m sitting in the office talking to the Dutch sales team or our agencies. The next moment I’m on the road to important customers or visiting distributors in Europe.” He travels a lot because he likes to see for himself what is happening on the market and in the market. Each region has its own dynamics and challenges. That never makes work boring. Dstrezzed now works with agencies in twelve countries. The focus is on the Benelux, DACH and France markets. “We have learned that a strong foundation is essential. From the Netherlands, we are constantly building a consistent presence in Europe.”
From sales-oriented to brand-oriented
The Corona period marked an important moment in the development of Dstrezzed. “We have always been a sales-oriented company. During this time we have redefined our brand. We have completely refocused our identity based on our DNA,” explains Van de Kamp. This resulted in four core values: Unity, Unexpected, Reliable and Don’t Stress. “These values have always been an integral part of our culture. We just had to formulate them correctly.” Now they form the framework for the collection and the collaboration. The way the team works is also based on this. In the company, this translates into a strong feeling of togetherness. “We call it Brotherhood here. We do a lot together, from the half marathon in Amsterdam to festivals or post-season events.” This connection ensures that everyone feels part of the story. They are motivated to help shape it.
Relevance in men’s fashion: mix, dates and partnership
According to Van de Kamp, the biggest challenge in fashion today is staying relevant. “The market is changing extremely quickly. Consumers are looking for more variation, especially in men’s fashion.” The balance between basics and fashion is becoming increasingly important. “That plays into our hands, because it is precisely this mix that is our strength.” He also emphasizes the importance of technological collaboration with retail partners. “The front can no longer exist without the backend. We work with EDI connections and VMI models.” This allows you to optimize inventory management and business controlling for customers. It’s no longer just about advance sales. The focus is on sustainable collaboration after the order.
When looking back at Dstrezzed’s growth, Van de Kamp sees above all the transformation from label to brand. “Initially it was about fast trading and attractive margins. But we wanted to achieve more.” They wanted to gain fans and build a brand that people would recognize and connect with. “It’s a process that takes years, but it pays off. Our target group, men in their late 20s to 50s, is growing with us.” They value quality, character and a certain lifestyle. This fits with what the company wants to convey.
Growth phase and outlook
Internally, Dstrezzed has now grown into an organization with around 60 employees, including retail. “The challenge is to maintain our culture as we continue to grow. We recently started holding cross-departmental meetings.” All areas, from marketing to production, work more closely together.
Dstrezzed has ambitious plans for the future. “We are in the middle of a growth phase, both in wholesale and retail and online,” says Van de Kamp. A new highlight is the opening of a franchise store in Casablanca, Morocco. “This will be our third store outside the Netherlands, alongside Antwerp and Lille. It is particularly noticeable that interest in the brand is increasing in Europe.” The strategy is also being sharpened in the collection. From 2027, the company will work with multiple drops per season. There is a pre and a main collection. “This allows us to react more quickly to trends and seasonal moments.” In doing so, they are shifting the focus from the traditional seasonal model to just-in-time deliveries. This ensures relevance and maintains margins.
Finally, Van de Kamp has a clear message for young professionals who want to start their career in fashion. “Be authentic and dare to say what you stand for. Even if you are not self-employed, you can act entrepreneurially in the company,” he says. This ensures rapid integration, relevance and growth. “Dare to open doors, of course carefully. But don’t be afraid to express your opinion.” This is ultimately the way to develop and make a real difference in this industry.
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