The Brilliance of MAXIMILIAN RITTLER
by Philippe Pourhashemi
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp is famous worldwide for nurturing new talent and giving young graduates the necessary knowledge, teaching, and support they need to be able to express their own signature fully at the end of their studies.
Individuality may be an overused word, it nevertheless applied to the 4th Year graduates who presented some strong and directional collections last weekend. Sometimes, final year collections are more toned-down than in previous years, because graduates want to seduce the jury and impress potential employers. This year, it was refreshing to see the graduates just go for fashion and follow their instincts.
A menswear highlight was Maximilian Rittler’s show, whose unique vision elated the audience. The Austrian student was inspired by the transgression of rock’n’roll, which he fused with elements from the Baroque and 18th Century aesthetics. Entitled “Rock Me Amadeus”, the collection wanted to encapsulate a young and rebellious attitude, which Rittler wanted to translate into clothing “I really wanted to work with music and include this rock’n’roll spirit that I love in fashion. I was researching Zazou, this youth culture movement in 1940s Paris and thought about young kids drinking beers in bars, putting on their music and dancing as a protest.”
Interestingly enough, the collection instantly brought the 1970s to mind -and Glam and Punk icons- such as Bryan Ferry or The New York Dolls. A pale blue satin blouse was trimmed with ruffles and cinched at the waist with a wide patent belt, styled with narrow pants covered with zippers. The Thin White Duke’s influence could be felt throughout the show, which gave it its special energy “One of my silhouettes was a nod to a theatrical outfit worn by David Bowie once -a suit with stripes I recreated in zippers.” At the end of his show, models started dancing on stage and Rittler joined them, moving wildly to the soundtrack. Think Iggy Pop and Mozart having a secret child together.
Rittler also used animal print for suiting, jackets, and pants, which were often made in rich brocade or stiff PVC. Upon closer inspection, it was incredible to see how well-made the garments were. Last Sunday, Rittler was awarded the prestigious Christine Mathys prize, given by Dries Van Noten himself. Mathys was Van Noten’s business partner and helped him launch and manage his brand until she passed away in 1999.
Asked about what he enjoyed the most in fashion design, Rittler stressed the experiential aspect “What is super exciting for me is the process. To create a drawing and see it become a three-dimensional form is the coolest thing”.
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STREETSTYLE | Pitti Uomo 96 – Part 1
Introducing Adish
For Spring/Summer 2026, Palomo returned to Madrid. The setting was The Palace Hotel, an intimate presentation that marked a homecoming after several seasons in New York.
Smith will lead the creation of four collections each year, covering men’s shoes, leather goods, and accessories.
Gucci introduces a new sneaker, the Gucci Shift, designed for motion. It translates the House’s athletic history into a form made for the rhythm of now.
Setchu Perfume is a collection of five fragrances, each continuing the brand’s search for balance, joy, and strength.
Deep in the hills of Abruzzo, at a place called Villaggio Cirulli, a simple but powerful idea took shape: no one is just a number.
Take a look at Campillo’s Spring/Summer 2026 backstage, captured by the lens of Spencer Stovell during New York Fashion Week, in exclusive for Fucking Young!
FANG NYC made its New York Fashion Week debut with a Spring/Summer 2026 collection that drew a clear line from the past to a specific future.
Valentino Garavani and Vans unveiled the campaign images for its new collaboration.
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Ami Paris has unveiled a new staple for the wardrobe: the Mirage sneaker.
Peter Demas photographed by Chris Fucile, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
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LeBlancStudios presents its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, “Museum of Common Oddities.”
Drawing from the energy of Tokyo’s streetwear, the collection captures the creative pulse of Shibuya.
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Photographed by Juergen Teller and styled by Jodie Barnes, the campaign features models Alex Consani and Leon Dame.
The message is an invitation. It’s a call to “cum” together, to join what they playfully term the “Carne Cummunity.”
SOLID HOMME applies its own clean, specific point of view to the iconic MA-1 flight jacket from Alpha Industries.
Balenciaga just unveiled a collection of ten fragrances. This launch moves beyond traditional perfumery, built instead on fusion and tension.
Dior has unveiled a new bag for the Winter 2025-2026 collection: the Dior Slider hobo.
A store should feel like it belongs. That’s the idea behind the newly reopened Camper flagship on Madrid’s Calle de Serrano.
Desigual introduced its new premium line, Desigual Studio, with a fashion show in Barcelona last night.
We caught up with Parcels in Paris to learn more about their new album.
The brand’s latest collection draws directly from its functional roots, reinterpreting the classic workwear that built its name for a modern audience.
The 36th edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion has announced its schedule, bringing together 24 designers and brands to present their new collections.
93 Sierra/Crosses has released its Fall/Winter 2025 collection, and it continues to build on the brand’s strong identity.
For its second year as Correspondent Designer, Les Benjamins closed Dubai Fashion Week with a new chapter titled “El Gringo”.
Oakley has unveiled its latest project with global football icon Kylian Mbappé, and it centers on a cool idea: artifacts from the future.
