On Friday 3 June the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp presented its Show 2022. As per annual tradition the students of the Fashion Department. Starting with the first year Bachelor all the way to the Masters, the students presented their skills and capabilities through creative designs. As always the Antwerp Fashion Academy delivered on its promise, here are the highlights!
Antwerp Fashion Capital
Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Founded in 1663, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp is one of the oldest in Europe. Mary Prijot started the course ‘Fashion Design’ at the academy in 1963. Prijot’s course focused on sketching and costume history and would become the breeding ground for fashion talent.
In the late eighties the Antwerp Six graduated from the Academy. Together, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Marina See, Dirk Van Scene, Dirk bikkembergs & Ann Demeulemeester, shook the Fashion industry with their edgy designs. Their participation to the British Designer show in London defined Antwerp as a fashion Capital.
Haider Ackermann, Raf Simons & Demna Gvasalia are all graduates from the Master Fashion Design at the Royal academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.
Masters Fashion Design of 2022
The big Haute Couture Shows at the start of the year have been more of a display of technique rather than bold, edgy, creative designs. And I must admit that, with Walter Van Beirendonck, as Programme Director my expectations were high. From start to finish, and across all years, the designs were an explosion of energy, colour, creativity edginess, punk. In other words, these students understood the assignment and they delivered! I say BRAVO to all the students for an absolute amazing Fashion Show of 2022. Yet, one always has its favourites that deserve a special mention and the following were mine.
Alise Anna Dzirniece, Unapologetic Feast
Dzirniece’s collection was bold and playful. She played with proportions and colours. Every look was complete from head to toe. The models walked with confidence, unapologetically. This is the kind of women one wants to be. Dzirniece’s created a very special, punk vibe giving each model scruffy hair and run out eyes.
Jejung Park, Double Negative
Park collection was an example of how fashion and music can enhance the story they each tell. Furthermore, every look was finished to perfection including wigs and glasses. As a result the audience could really see, hear and feel the story that park wanted to convey. Moreover, I loved the silhouettes he created they felt fresh, young and sleek with this hint to the sixties.
Dominika Grzybek, Ikebana
Grzybek closed the night with an absolute banger collection. The fabrics, colours and the glitter in her collection were absolutely stunning. Each look was meticulously executed, which you could tell by the comfort and ease in the models’ walk.
Inspired by Japanese flower arrangements, the dresses were adorned with beautiful prints. Grzybek also elevated the looks with gorgeous fantasy jewellery. Finally, the way she played with the shape of the silhouette and with different materials.
Hidden gems in the none-masters
Not only the masters delivered breath taking creative designs. There also were some hidden gems in the 2nd and 3rd years. Especially some of the men designs really stood out. From street style cool to classic’s redesigned the men in the Show 2022 looked hella cool.
Whilst the 3rd year bachelor collections found their inspiration in world costumes, the 2nd year bachelor collections were inspired by historical costumes. I was really blown away by the creativity and quality of the designs they were unbelievably stunning.
The whole evening was a feast for the fashion loving eye. It was a true celebration of the fashion and creativity that breaths through the city of Antwerp. However, I do find it a pity to see how few Belgian students we have the Fashion Design Masters. We Belgians still too often opt for the traditional study and career paths whilst art and fashion are such an integral part of our society.
