Celebrating ADE with Timberland

If you had a weekend full of wind, rain, and people who were crossfaded well before the time was appropriate, you’re one of many here in Amsterdam. Amsterdam Dance Event does something to the city – all your friends are suddenly going crazy at a bar you’d normally avoid, while your favourite venues are filled with 40-year-old tourists who have never seen the inside of a club before. Luckily for us, Timberland took us by the hand for day two of Amsterdam’s rowdiest festival, bringing their Advice of an Icon campaign into the havoc. Our own advice? Embrace the chaos and never overthink your next move.

Following a standout London Fashion Week kickoff, Timberland’s campaign had a clear mantra: guidance from those who’ve been there, done that. Starting with a tasty brunch at Nikotin, then shuttling us straight into Skepta’s DJ set at Shelter, Timberland spared us the usual ADE decision fatigue. No biking in the rain, no endless debate – just head-first into the right scene.

Similar to their ADE plan, Advice of an Icon doesn’t overthink it: just Skepta, Spike Lee, and Kiko Mizuhara sharing lived-in truths through Gabriel Moses’ cinematic lens. It’s a celebration of those who have life’s answers, so to speak. So, in that spirit, we laced up and passed the mic to the right people in the crowd. The question: What’s your advice of an icon?

Sunny Jansen
What’s one life lesson you think everyone needs to know?
Be kind, Be respectful. Get to know your neighbour.

Who’s an icon in your life and what did they teach you?
My mother and all mothers of ballroom in the 90s. Stay true and embrace yourself. Love yourself.

Whats the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Go and make an appointment with the Gender team at VU Medical centre, 25 years ago.

Josephine Herfst
What’s advice that actually worked?
Women don’t need men, they need US!

Geronimo Comvalius
What’s the most valuable advice anyone has ever given you?
Give more than 100%.

Tinotenda
What’s the most valuable advice anyone has ever given you?
Make as many mistakes as possible, but make sure you learn from them.

Who’s an icon in your life and what did they teach you?
My grandmother taught me how to forgive and that forgiveness is for you, not the person you’re forgiving. 

Alien + Deyrinio
What’s one life lesson you think everyone needs to hear right now?
It’s never too late to say sorry.

Pip Wijn
What truth about life do you wish everyone understood?
If you do what resonates with you you’ll get exactly what you want & dream of. 

Reanny
Whats the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t take anything personal in this life.

Trish Beghin
What words of wisdom have stuck with you over time?
Just remember: you are the prize.

Jeremy Herkul
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Other people’s opinions are more distracting than helpful – follow your gut feeling.

Nerenchy
What advice do you treasure the most?
Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Jazz Ben Khalifa
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Success can only exist when your mind is stronger than your emotions.