Known for her sharp eye, style, creativity and commercial intuition. She is a strong believer in straightforward thinking and fair play. Next to all of this she is a communication expert that over the years established a perfect network. As a founder she has been in charge of WOTH Wonderful Things magazine and WOTH studio since the start in 2016. 

Hessing worked as a second editor in chief at Hollands biggest women’s magazine Libelle (2000 —’09) and as Editor in Chief of More Than Classic and Eigen Huis & Interieur (2009 — ’16) and Residence magazine (2018—2021). From 1991 to 2000 she ran her own company Hessing & Janssen focusing on the production of Fashion Shows (Le Cri Neérlandais with Viktor & Rolf) books and events.

Portfolio/CV

BlowUp Art Den Haag

sept—oct 2022 & may 2023

As the program director of BinnenhofBuiten Hessing invited international artists; Steve Messam, larissa Ambachtsheer, Marleen Sleeuwits, Mike Rijnierse & Ludmilla Rodriques, and Adrianus Klundert to create temporary objects for specific sites in the city center of The Hague. As the outdoor expo turned out to be a big succes, in 2023 artist Yamuna Forzani, Lambert Kamps, Steve Messam, designer duo Raw Color, architect Paul Cournet of CLOUD, and the 'godfather' of blowup art in the Netherlands; Theo Botschuijver were asked to create an installation for the second editon of BlowUp Art Den Haag. BinnenhofBuiten produces events, exhibitions and promotions during the renovation of the Binnenhof and is a project of The Hague & Partners for the municipality of The Hague.

 photo's Pim Top (2022), Ronald Smits (2023)

MC's MINDGAMES

—an exhibition full of experiences 
October 2023

Escher’s art continues to fascinate. The Escher Year offered a good reason to breathe new life into the magical universe of Martinus Cornelis Escher. Curator Mary Hessing from BinnenhofBuiten selected six young artists to shape their fresh visions: Teun Zwets, Alissa + Nienke, Iris Toonen, Leon de Bruijne and Willem van Doorn, Grietje Schepers, and Berndnaut Smilde. The surprising installations together form an exhibition at various monumental locations in The Hague’s Museum Quarter. The locations open their doors especially for MC’s Mindgames. 

 photo's Ronald Smits, Johan Nieuwenhuize 

MAGAZINES/WOTH WONDERFUL THINGS

Founder/Editor in Chief 2016—

An international platform and indie-magazine on design, creatives and creative industry. WOTH was realized thanks to a successful crowdfunding campain and has many influential designers among their ambassadors. Watch the MOVIE here! 

The Hague Museumkwartier flourishes 

A promenade of ‘BIG’ flowers celebrating the 200th anniversary of The Mauritshuis.

Inspired by paintings of Dutch Masters, Hessing comissioned Linda Nieuwstad to created four large sized flower pieces made from steel, pvs, wood, rubber and wool. The works also connect to paintings and prints the visitor may find in collections of the Museumkwartier’ cultural hotspots: The Mauritshuis, Museum Escher in The Palace and Museum Bredius. The exhibition was produced by BinnenhofBuiten a project of The Hague & Partners for the municipality of The Hague. 

MAGAZINES/RESIDENCE

Editor in Chief 2018—2021

From september of 2018 Hessing guarantied the quality of this more than thirty years old Dutch glossy. She assembled a whole new team of talented youngsters and seasoned professionals to assure ten tantalizing issue's a year.  

MAGAZINES/

Eigen Huis & Interieur

Editor in Chief 2009—2016

On her instigation and supervision Eigen Huis & Interieur was restyled in 2011 by Pentagram New York. Pentagram’s partner Luke Hayman worked together with Hessing and her team. The restyling was rewarded BEST ART DIRECTION (Mercur 2012) in Holland and won a prestigieus OZZY Award in America.

Next to the magazine there were other projects like the i-Pad magazine that Hessing and her team initiated in 2014 titled Urquiola by EH&I Live about the lives and work of renowned designer Patricia Urquiola, fair presentations  - Like the award winning pavillion by i29 architects - the Daily Design alert app and an extensive furniture and accessories collection that she created.

AWARD WINNING PRESENTATIONS 

Hessing commisioned i29 designers to create the EH&I/MTC pavilion at the design fair of 2015. She gave them the freedom to design a breathtaking environment that got international acclaim. 

FURNITURE CollectiON

Two complete collections under the label EH&I; furniture and accessoires in collaboration with established Dutch brands as;
Artifort, Carpet Sign, Desso, Draenert, Gelderland, Interstar, Linteloo, Metaform, Montis, Palau, Pilat & pilat.   

MAGAZINES/

MORE THAN CLASSIC 

Editor in Chief, 2009—2016

With the same team and at the same time, Hessing was responsible for EH&I's sister magazine More Than Classic. A beautiful classical modern magazine focusing on interior decorating, art, style and the good things in life. MTC was published 6 times a year and also featured a big pavillion on the anual interior decoration fair.

MAGAZINES/

LIBELLE

Deputy Editor in chief - Managing Editor 2000 – 2009

Started out as Managing editor 'line and brand extensions': responsible for the event Libelle Zomerweek (annually - 80.000 woman), Libelle books, Marjolein Bastin agenda en product development and licencing, Jan Jans en de Kinderen comicbooks and licencing, Libelle products; Homewear, furniture, accessoires, Deputy editor in chief since 2006 taking care of Libelle specials – Libelle Balance magazine – Libelle Bookazine – Libelle Zomerweek and the regular weekly edition of the magazine.

SPECIAL LIBELLE PROJECTS

Exhibition Libelle 70 JR anniversary - Glossy + big exhibition at The Kunsthal Rotterdam, initiated and compiled by Hessing.
Libelle out of the box (Libelle 75 year) Book in collaboration with: Lernert & Sander, KesselsKramer, Koeweiden Postma, VBAT, Thonik, Die Twee, NLXL, Balsa, Dennis Koot, Design Academy, Werkplaats Typografie en het Sandberg Instituut. Concept and realisation Mary Hessing. 
Casa Libelle (online reality soap); Libelle’s own Bed & Breakfast in Barcelona. (2007)
Online thriller Deadline: Libelle’s online thriller daily an episode of three minutes (2009)

HESSING & JANSSEN

Bureau voor Interdisciplinaire Styling 1991—2000

With Angelique Janssen, focusing on: international fashion shows – design concepts – project management – fund raising.

founder of organisation ‘LE CRI NEÉRLANDAIS’ the group of 6 Dutch fashion designers; Viktor & Rolf, Lucas Ossendrijver, Pascal Gatzen, Marcel Verheijen, and Saskia van Drimmelen, that wanted to conquer the world and did!

Shows in Paris, Belgium, Milano
all photo’s together with Rineke Dijkstra
all artwork together with Jop van Bennekom (Fantastic Man) 
all music by Joost van Bellen
Multi media presentation ‘Defilé sans public’ (show on dvd together with Opera designers)

HAUTE CULTURE BOOK

International fashion show and book for Dutch Gasunie ; featuring work by designers like Michael Guerra, Stéphane Barbier, Oscar Süleyman, Ida Gut, Anja Gockel etc. a photo essay and reflection on dressing up – party culture and fashion in general.

WE EUROPE

international fashion and dance/shows Amsterdam – Belgium – Switzerland
in collaboration with Lidy Mouw, Richard Cameron (Drive-in), Wilma Sommers en Hester Oerlemans (Bar Slecht)

portrait Jan-Willem Kaldenbach