But you’re right: the energy we gave each other cannot simply be created.”ĭirk: “My best memory of the Fashion Academy is meeting Walter.” We didn’t always agree, we all had our own style. This kind of bond can never be recreated.”Īnn: “Everybody was totally committed, and when someone did well, the other ones wanted to do even better. Our story is simply so unique, and so random.
We have been on a journey together, with lots of trial and error, with great ambition and frustration. To me, it was a very important time in my life and I still cherish it.
Therefore I find it sad that the bond is not as strong between all of us as it used to be.
Without the Six I would never have become what I am now, and I think that this goes for the others as well. Our group came about in a very spontaneous way. It was interesting to combine our different styles and tastes or do the opposite and create confrontation. We all came from different parts of Belgium, each with our own background. Walter: “The synergy between the Six was fascinating. When someone couldn’t finish on time, everybody rallied round to help complete the collection.” It was interesting to revolt against this, and encourage each other to do so. Prijot had her own strict vision: jeans were for poor people, Chanel was the best fashion designer in the world and knees were the ugliest part of the female body and shouldn’t be on show. According to me, we have learned most by rebelling against the teachers, trying to find out how far we could push against the limitations they set. It gave me incredible strength.”ĭries: “That kind of thing created a feeling of solidarity. That made me revolt: I had to do my own thing. Moreover, she was very classical: when I came to classes with my hair down, I was sent out to put it in a French twist. For four years I had to convince her that I was right. Being good wasn’t good enough, and if she didn’t agree with your ideas you had a problem.
Victoria Lebrun, 3rd year: What is your best memory of the Academy?Īnn: “Mary Prijot, the woman who founded the Fashion Academy, is someone I will never forget. Now, as Van Beirendonck retires from his post as head of the Academy’s fashion department, five of the “Antwerp Six” gave straight answers to questions from current students, covering the pressures of being a designer, how the industry has changed and staying true to yourself. In the 1980s, a group of students from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium attracted international attention for their innovative, agenda-setting fashion: Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee.