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Esther de Rooij judge / deputy president

Muses

At JapanTKY, we are not only inspired by the latest fashion trends and city trips. We also take inspiration from the people who wear our clothes. Ultimately, we design our clothes for them. Therefore, we would like you to meet some of our muses.

Esther de Rooij (55) judge / deputy president Court of Amsterdam / translator from Heemstede, The Netherlands

Photography: Rik Balder/Studio Redlab

Esther lives in Heemstede with her husband. They have been married for 22 years and have three children together. “All of our kids are studying and have moved out. This means we've got more time on our hands which is nice. The thing I like most about my kids growing up though, is my changing role as a parent. I’m more of a coach or advisor now.”

Esther studied law and started her professional career as a lawyer, but she has been a judge for 24 years now. While working in Den Bosch for three years, she met her husband who is also a judge. “We don’t discuss our work often at home, but it’s quite nice to have a partner who understands you when you are struggling. Due to our similar professions, we’re on the same wavelength.”

Esther is board member of the Court of Amsterdam, as well as deputy president. Aside from her work for the court, Esther is a freelance translator of French. “I started studying for that ten years ago and I’ve been working freelance for about four years now. I mainly do judicial translations from French into Dutch. This is a way for me to stay sharp on a detail level. At the court most of my time I’m doing organizational work, so I’m mainly painting broad strokes. Three people are responsible for the entire court, where about 1,000 people work, so the job is pretty intense.”

Photography: Rik Balder/Studio Redlab

To perk up, Esther goes to their house in France. “I’m there for a couple of days every two months. In summer, I’m usually there for a few weeks during summer. It’s so empty there, you're only surrounded by nature, space and peace and quiet. The nights are still so dark and the air is so invigorating. There I can recover completely, making me excited to get back to the energetic and fast-paced city.

“Peace and quiet, silence and fresh air is the new luxury”

“When I arrive at Amsterdam Central station in the morning, I always take my bike to get to the court in the south of the city. I take different routes every time, through the city centre or through the Vondelpark for example. This way I get my daily dose of movement. And I am attached to my cappuccino, every morning somewhere on my way."

Esther leads international projects that have the goal to improve the judiciaries in Europe, governed by the Council for the Judiciary of the Netherlands (Raad voor de Rechtspraak). These projects require her to regularly travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine. “JapanTKY clothing is ideal for me in multiple ways. It doesn’t weigh much, which is nice for clothing in a suitcase, it doesn’t wrinkle and it accentuates my figure perfectly. The clothes always look elegant for business without being too formal.

“With JapanTKY clothes I immediately radiate what I want to.”

Who is your muse/role model?

She is not my muse, per se, but I really admire Neelie Kroes. I think the combination of power and femininity is beautiful. She has guts, knowledge and experience. She dares to be unpopular. I really respect the way she handled herself at the European Union. It’s amazing to have such an impact at that age!”

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