Denise Linda Boomkens
Denise Linda Boomkens (born 17 July 1975) is a Dutch photographer, author, and former fashion model. She is the founder of AndBloom, a digital platform dedicated to the representation of aging women. Through this platform, she is ACTIVE as an entrepreneur and influencer in the fields of lifestyle and positive aging.
Modeling career
Boomkens grew up in The Hague. At the age of sixteen, she won a modeling competition hosted by Veronica, after which she signed with Max Models. After completing her education, she moved to Paris at seventeen to pursue an international career. In the following years, she worked in cities such as Milan and London. She walked the runway for designers including Giorgio Armani (1994) and appeared on the covers of various international fashion magazines.
Photography
Between 1999 and 2004, Boomkens studied at the Fotoacademie in Amsterdam. In 2004, she won the Photo Academy Award Amsterdam, which included a publication in the magazine Elle. As a photographer, Boomkens has worked worldwide in locations such as India, New York City, and Japan. In Tokyo, she photographed for magazines like Numéro and the Japanese edition of Vogue, capturing collections for brands such as Gucci. Her work was featured in a solo exhibition at the DEK22 art space in Rotterdam in 2010.
AndBloom
In 2018, Boomkens launched AndBloom. The project combines portrait photography with personal interviews to change societal perceptions of aging. The platform has grown into an international online community, gaining attention for its focus on diversity and inclusivity within the fashion and beauty sectors. Anna Murphy, fashion director of The Times, described her work as groundbreaking for the visibility of aging women.
Publications
- 2021: AndBloom: The Art of Aging Unapologetically (Mitchell Beazley / Hachette UK) .
- 2023: The Guide (AndBloom, self-published).
Personal life
Boomkens married Martin Uipkes in 2010 on the Thai island of Ko Pha Ngan. The couple has one son, born in 2015.