Belgian designers in the modern fashion industry are synthesizing commerce and art. The term "Antwerp Six", or The Antwerp SIX, can be heard whenever it comes to conceptual fashion. What made Belgian couturiers famous and how can you characterize their style?
What is The Antwerp SIX
The Antwerp Six is a group of graduate designers from the Belgian Royal Academy of Arts. Their names are:
- Dries van Noten.
- Ann Demeulemeester.
- W alter van Beirendonck.
- Dirk Bikkembergs.
- Marina Yee.
- Dirk van Saene.
After graduating from the Antwerp Academy in 1981, each of the designers began an independent career. In 1986, they teamed up to participate in London Fashion Week. Traveling to England was a significant expense and traveling together was a good deal.
Showings of the Belgians in London caused a sensation. Shows with the participation of fashion models of non-standard appearance took place in the mostunexpected places like abandoned parking lots. Avant-garde clothing teetered on the verge of fashion and art. The works of the Antwerpians differed from the high-status bourgeois things popular in the 1980s, which were offered by American and French couturiers.
The Belgian shows have earned numerous press coverage. In the notes, designers with complex names were referred to as The Antwerp SIX - Antwerp Six. The term has since gone down in fashion history.
After the London triumph, the creative paths of the Belgians diverged. The career of fashion designers has developed in different ways.
The historic meeting of six Antwerpians took place in 2015. Graduates of the Academy of Arts attended the celebration of the 50th anniversary of their native faculty of fashion.
Style features
The designers of the Antwerp Six have gained success with an unorthodox take on fashion design. Each member of Antwerp SIX has their own style, but their style has a few things in common:
- Conceptuality. Members of the Antwerp Six create clothes "with meaning". Silhouettes and decor reflect the ideas of the creator. Dirk Bikkembergs conveys sports spirit and energy in things, Marina Yi signals the importance of caring for the planet.
- Erasing gender differences. In the interpretation of Antwerp SIX, fashionable clothes for women and men are deprived of their traditional features. The Belgians are experimenting with colors and cut details, denying the stereotypes about the gender of certain elements of the wardrobe. In men's and women's collectionsDries Van Noten's clothes are lavishly adorned with colorful flower and fruit designs.
- Wearability. Concept clothes from Belgian designers are compatible with real life. A reasonable balance of adequacy and creative spirit brought commercial success to Antwerp already in the mid-1980s.
Today, ex-members of Antwerp SIX are chosen by celebrities for social occasions. It is in demand by ordinary customers in everyday life. Fashion designers of the Antwerp Six offer their own take on the wardrobe "with meaning".
Ann Demeulemeester
Female couturier born in 1959 Name brand founded in 1985 Ann Demeulemeester is a menswear and womenswear brand.
Things from Ann Demelmeister combine practicality with art. Moderately avant-garde, the Belgian adds a dreamy, bohemian touch to your everyday wardrobe.
All Demelmeister collections are characterized by the interweaving of male and female elements in one image. Asymmetrical cuts, fluid fabrics and a muted palette create a thoughtful, poetic mood.
Anne's inspiration comes from rock music and contemporary art. Paintings by artist Jackson Pollock and lyrics and songs by Patti Smith get a designer interpretation in Ann Demeulemeester clothing.
Four years ago, the founder of the brand retired from work. Today, Sebastian Meunier, a young designer from France, continues her work.
Dirk Bikkembergs
The fashion designer was bornin 1959. The brand named after him was established in 1986. Initially, Dirk Bikkembergs specialized in menswear collections. Today, Dirk Bikkembergs also produces clothes for women and children.
Dirk Bikkembergs preaches harmony between a beautiful trained body and a free spirit. He creates clothes inspired by movement and the idea of high speeds. Things emphasize the strength and beauty of an athletic figure and are designed to provide comfort during physical activity.
Dirk Bikkembergs clothing is anatomically shaped and crafted from innovative materials. The palette is dominated by neutral colors - monochrome, beige and khaki. Bright acid accents underline the dynamic nature of the wardrobe from the avant-garde Belgian.
Dris van Noten
Designer was born in 1958. Before starting his own brand, Dries worked as a freelance artist for several years and collaborated with other manufacturers. After a historic show in London, Van Noten opened a signature workshop, which in three years has grown into a major fashion house.
Today Dris van Noten is an international brand offering men's and women's clothing. In 2017, the designer created the 100th collection, marking the anniversary with the release of a retrospective photo album.
Dris van Noten's individual style is easily recognizable by the rich colors and decorations with folk and nature motifs. Clothes from Dries Van Noten are decorated with embroidery and hand-applied prints. Drawings in the form of ethnic ornaments, fruits and plants are presenton men's and women's clothing.
The intricate décor saves the brand's customers from the danger of buying fake Dris van Noten products. Fraudsters are unable to reproduce the author's design of Antwerp.
W alter van Beirendonck
W alter was born in 1957. His fashion label was founded in 1983 and is aimed at a male audience.
W alter van Beirendonck also designs a children's clothing collection for a Belgian retail chain, designs theatrical costumes and does book illustrations.
In 1998, Beirendonk opened the W alter store in his homeland, which is a multi-brand boutique and exhibition space.
W alter van Beirendonck - clothes for people with a sense of humor and an active lifestyle.
Beirendonk expresses an original take on fashion with comic book illustrations and inscriptions. The plots of prints are often provocative and touch upon acute social problems.
Each Beirendonk collection is dedicated to a specific theme and has the name: "Stop Terrorizing Our World", "Solar and Lunar Worlds", "Sweet Home".
Dirk van Saene
Wang Seng was born in 1959. After completing his studies at the Academy, the designer opened the Beauties and Heroes store.
Wang Sen showed himself as an artist from his youth. An exclusive detail of his designs are handmade picturesque prints and reproductions of paintings applied to the fabric. The appearance of things belonging to different collections is changing from the traditionalluxury before deconstruction.
Dirk van Sen initially focused on a narrow scale of production with a predominance of handicraft technologies. He later moved away from fashion design.
Today, Dirk teaches at the Antwerp Academy of Arts and works in ceramics. In 2017, an exhibition of sculptures by a Belgian was held in Vienna.
Van Sen is a longtime partner of his Antwerp SIX colleague W alter van Beirendonck. The friends run the W alter boutique together.
Marina Yee
Marina was born in 1958. Early in her career, Yi collaborated with fellow student Dirk Bikkembergs. She has worked as a costume designer and leather goods designer. Marina Yee was launched in 2003
The designer's key theme is conscious consumption. Marina Yi uses scraps of old clothing found at flea markets to create new designer pieces. Turning rags into an exclusive product, Marina draws public attention to the problem of excessive addiction to material values.
The Marina Yee brand lasted until 2005. In August 2018, it became known about the return of the Belgian to the fashion business. She designs a clothing line for Japanese concept boutique Laila Tokio.
Yi's mini collection is dedicated to her favorite theme of moderate consumption, which has become a hot topic in the luxury market today.
Meaning Antwerp SIX
The success of the Antwerp Six has made Belgium one of the centers of the global fashion industry. France traditionallyis associated with the luxury of Haute Couture, the USA - with the status of ready-to-wear, Italy - with a sensual luxurious image. Belgium continued the list and turned into a Mecca of conceptual fashion. Today, the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts is a prestigious design institution.
Antwerp SIX paved the way for their compatriots to the top of the fashion career. The names of Olivier Teyskens, Raf Simons, the duet of Victor and Rolf are known all over the world. They met the expectations of the public, becoming worthy heirs of the Antwerp Six.
Antwerp SIX is synonymous with intelligent fashion for women and men. Things from the designers of the Antwerp Six are a sign of a thinking person who understands and appreciates art. Antwerp SIX clothing is distinctive and allows you to choose a wardrobe in accordance with your personal attitude and ideas about physical and psychological comfort.