If you’re familiar with Amsterdam’s creative scene, chances are you’ve come across Tuyk. A familiar face in the city’s fashion and artistic circles, he has spent years building a career that refuses to fit into a single category. From modelling and styling to photography and creative direction, his distinctive aesthetic has become his calling card, opening doors to exciting collaborations and new opportunities. But things really started taking off when he stopped trying to fit a mould and began trusting his own ideas.
Now, music is taking centre stage. Having recently released his debut single, OVERDOSE, Tuyk is exploring a more personal side of his creativity, one that goes beyond the visual identity he has spent years developing. He's also taking opera singing classes, determined to keep learning while finding his own sound. Inspired by artists who have built entire worlds around their music, he's approaching this new chapter with what he describes as “a rockstar spirit, strong melodies, and emotional honesty.” And judging by his enthusiasm, he's only getting started.
First of all, where are we catching you today? How's your week going?
Doin’ okay! I’m currently in Vondelpark, eating lunch after my opera singing classes. My week has been quite hectic, actually, with preparations for ADE, meetings, and seeing my therapist. I have to admit, I do like having a full schedule.
You've been involved in the creative industries for quite some time now, moving between fashion, modelling and, more recently, music. Looking back, did you always imagine yourself pursuing a creative career, or did things happen quite naturally?
Not at all. When I graduated high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I considered law school, but it didn't feel right, so I took a six-month break to reset. That's when I started taking modelling seriously. When I got the opportunity to move to China, I figured: why not? That trip completely changed my perspective. I realised you don't have to follow the traditional route to build a career – you can actually make a living doing something creative. I just stumbled into it, and one thing led to another.
What do you remember most about that period of your life?
It was crazy, in the best and worst ways. I got to experience completely different cultures, see so much of the world, and meet some really cool, creative people. It was an incredibly exciting period of discovery. At the same time, my family was going through a really difficult period. My mum and brother were both dealing with cancer, so being so far away from home was heavy. I have mixed feelings when I look back on that time. I absolutely loved the freedom and the adventure, but I also struggled with not being there for my family when they needed me. Both things can be true at the same time.
And you've built a pretty impressive community on social media. Was there a particular moment when things started taking off, or has it been a gradual process?
Things started taking off when I began creating content I actually wanted to make, rather than copying what worked for other people. I developed my own visual language and told stories in a natural way. Once I stopped trying to fit into a mould and allowed myself to be more creative, I found my niche. It wasn't one specific moment, but a total shift in my approach.
How would you describe your relationship with the people who follow you?
I'd describe it as a community. Social media is so much more meaningful when you create a space where people can connect, instead of a one-way relationship between creator and audience. I’ve talked to some followers for years, and their responses truly inspire me to keep creating. Sparking a conversation or inspiring someone else makes everything feel more human.
We've seen you featured in publications such as ODDA, and fashion and beauty brands seem increasingly interested in working with you. Do you remember your very first brand collaboration? And is there one that you've been particularly excited about?
My first collaboration was with Waterpik, which makes water flossers, and I was just so excited that a brand wanted to work with me. Since then, I've had some incredible experiences, including brand trips with Gucci and Jean Paul Gaultier. It's difficult to pick a favourite because I've enjoyed so many for different reasons. The best campaigns are the ones where I can make something commercial feel like my own creative work. I love having the freedom to interpret a brief in my own way and transform it into something that fits my world. That's when the most interesting things happen.
Your personal style is clearly a big part of your identity. Where do you find inspiration these days? Any favourite designers?
A lot of my inspiration comes from vintage magazines, album covers, old photographs, and fashion from the 1970s and 1980s. I'm fascinated by musicians who created entire visual worlds around their music, and how those worlds became inseparable from their identities as artists. I'm probably more inspired by eras, characters, and imagery than by specific designers. I love taking little bits and pieces from different references and seeing what I can do with them. There's so much freedom in that.
And if you could have coffee with any artist, past or present, who would it be? What would you want to ask them?
David Bowie, without a doubt. I'd love to understand the person behind the persona and how his creative mind worked. How did he come up with his ideas? How did he navigate the relationship between music, fashion, sexuality, and performance? I'm fascinated by the way he constantly reinvented himself while still remaining unmistakably Bowie. I'd probably spend the entire coffee asking him how he developed his artistic identity, and whether he ever felt like he was playing a character or whether all those different versions of himself were equally real.
You're also a familiar face on Amsterdam's creative scene. It was lovely having you at our 20th anniversary celebration at Pulitzer Amsterdam, by the way! Do you enjoy being part of that social scene? Have you built genuine friendships within the industry?
I love being surrounded by creative people, and I've made some wonderful friends through the industry. But I also really value having a life outside of it. Some of my closest friends have nothing to do with fashion or music, which is so refreshing. I love what I do, but I think the relationships that matter most are the ones that exist beyond networking. It's important to have people around who know you as a person, rather than just whatever you do for a living.
I imagine working in an industry where your image and personality are so visible can sometimes be demanding. Have you ever felt pressure to play a certain character or be a particular version of yourself, or have you found a way to navigate it all while staying true to who you are?
Definitely. I'm learning to let all my different interests coexist without feeling like I have to fit into one particular mould. I work in fashion, music, photography, and styling, and I don't want to feel forced to choose just one path. Sometimes I catch myself creating my own little box, as if I have to keep being a certain version of myself because that's what people expect. But I want the freedom to change and evolve. I don't want to become a character trapped inside my own image. That's what excites me about creativity – you can have different sides to yourself without having to explain them to anyone.
Let's get into the music. You've played guitar since childhood and grew up listening to artists like David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and The Smiths, but decided to pursue music seriously not long ago. What finally pushed you to take that step? Was it something you'd been thinking about for a long time?
I played music growing up, but I stopped for a long time before picking up the guitar again to satisfy my inner child. My guitar teacher – now one of my best friends – asked why I didn't try singing. The moment I did, it felt like coming home. Having spent years expressing myself visually through fashion, photography, and content creation, music unlocked a completely different way to communicate. I’ve started opera classes too, which showed me how much there is to explore. Songwriting feels like a natural extension of journaling, turning my thoughts into something people can hear.
Your debut single, OVERDOSE, explores that overwhelming feeling of losing yourself in love, which can be both beautiful and destructive. Was it difficult to share something so personal through your music?
Releasing music is much more vulnerable than sharing a photo or video. But taking private journal entries and turning them into songs that resonate with people is incredible. Once a track is out, it's no longer just your story; listeners project their own lives onto it. Storytelling through sound and lyrics has given me an entirely new creative outlet.
What have you been listening to lately?
There are three albums I've had on repeat lately: 5 by Lenny Kravitz, Grace by Jeff Buckley, and Maggot Brain by Funkadelic. They're quite different from one another, but I love the musicianship, the emotion, and the personality in all three. I've also been listening to a lot of Tracy Chapman lately. Baby Can I Hold You is one of those songs that gets me every time. And I've been checking out The Strokes, and the solo work of Julian Casablancas. I absolutely love what he does.
I'm also a huge Phil Collins fan. And if you haven't seen Fleetwood Mac performing I'm So Afraid live at Warner Bros. Studios, please do yourself a favour. That guitar solo is insane. I could talk about music all day, honestly. There's so much good stuff out there.
I'm also a huge Phil Collins fan. And if you haven't seen Fleetwood Mac performing I'm So Afraid live at Warner Bros. Studios, please do yourself a favour. That guitar solo is insane. I could talk about music all day, honestly. There's so much good stuff out there.
Speaking of other artists, who's your dream musical collaborator?
I'd love to work with Tony Berg. I really admire his work as a producer, including his work with artists like Sombr and Phoebe Bridgers, and I love the kind of sound he helps bring to life. There's something about that combination of intimacy, atmosphere, and strong songwriting that really appeals to me. I'd love to learn from someone with that kind of musical knowledge and sensibility. Sombr is another artist I really admire, too. Ultimately, I'd want to collaborate with someone who could challenge me creatively while understanding the kind of emotional, guitar-driven music I'm trying to make.
We know you've been spending time in the studio working on new material. How's that going? Are you starting to find your own sound, or are you still experimenting with different directions? What can we expect from you next?
I feel like my sound is developing more and more. I’m still experimenting, but the core is clear: a rockstar spirit, strong melodies, and emotional honesty. Taking opera classes showed me how much there is to explore with my voice, which is unlocking new ideas in the studio. I also love building the visual world around the music, from album covers to videos. I want people to step into my universe and get goosebumps when they listen – whether through the lyrics, the vocals, or the storytelling. I’m still figuring a lot out, and that's part of the fun, but I can't wait to share what I've been working on.
