Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

In Rare Reunion, ‘Antwerp Six’ Answer Students’ Questions

Five members of the ‘Antwerp Six’ — Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee — discuss the pressures of being a designer, how the industry has changed and staying true to yourself, courtesy of Knack Weekend.

The “Antwerp Six” at the Fashion Academy in Antwerp. — The “Antwerp Six” at the Antwerp Academy. (Marleen Daniëls)

Elke Lahousse,
Jorik Leemans,
Ellen De Wolf

06 June 2022

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. 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.

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