Dutchess is the contemporary label of Dutch designer Gwen van den Assem. The design studio is located in Rotterdam in the famous Van Nelle Design Factory, a former  factory that manufactured coffee, tea and tobacco. It is here where each individually drawn collection is conceived. Dutchess stands for laid back luxury, as evident in each style.

The sober and sleek designs of Dutchess have their own character, but at the same time they can be worn at all times, to make an effortless statement. The simplicity and pureness of the clothes emphasize the individuality of the wearer. The designs can be easily combined and can be both worn casual and dressy. The label presents two womenswear collections per year, always made with an innovative materials and high quality fabrics. All items are manufactured in Europe.

Gwen van den Assem (1968, Sydney Australia) was raised in a creative family. She graduated from the Academy of fine arts st. Joost in Breda, and worked as a stylist and designer for various trend houses and fashion brands. Since 2005 she is the owner and designer of Dutchess. Dutchess is sold in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Japan and Hong Kong. The collection is  presented in Paris at the Tranoï trade fair.