Acknowledged as one of the top fashion schools in the world, Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, whose fashion department is led by charismatic Walter Van Beirendonck, lived up to its reputation last weekend, putting on an energetic, bold and inspiring show, full of directional ideas and strong points of view. This wave of restless creativity seemed to affect students in each year, as they worked hard to showcase their talent and best garments. The 2nd Year collections were particularly strong this time, and there were also a few gems in the 3rd Year, but the audience waited anxiously to see what the 4th -and Final Year- graduates had come up with.
Six students were part of this cherished group and two menswear collections clearly stood out with their subtle intricacy and uncompromising approach. Emmanuel A. Ryngaert named his show “Meccano”, making his garments seem like a Lego fantasy come to life. Inspired by modular furniture and the classic tool box, he made pieces from squares, sticks and circles. The silhouette was pumped-up and playful, using man-made fabrics and primary tones to emphasize streamlined shapes. Accessories were exciting, too, ranging from reworked trainers and abstract key chains to graphic bags and colored shades. Shot by talented Belgian photographer Michaël Smits, Ryngaert’s campaign managed to emphasize his modernist and radical approach, reinventing the menswear silhouette to striking effect.
Naming his collection “Brink” seemed logical for Timo Zündorf, whose beautifully tailored pieces were on the verge of sudden transformations. Mixing recycled materials with noble fabrics, such as textured leather, handmade knits and Mongolian lamb, the German student referenced photographer August Sander and the idea of the peacock, reworking the concept of the traditional male wardrobe to make it modern. Patchwork effects and intensive textile treatments -such as tie dye for instance- gave energy to his impeccably cut suits, shirts and coats. Once broken down, his looks had many pieces to fall for, a clear sign that despite the alluring drama of the show, the Academy knows how to train students to become accomplished designers, balancing memorable images with intelligent clothes.
For the Spring/Summer 2021 collection designer Shangguan Zhe draws inspiration from diverse ethnic cultures while retaining the signatures style of SANKUANZ.
After these months of introspection, the brand wants to embody, more than ever, this new guard of international conscious labels who focuses on an artisanal and locally made luxury.
Palomo Spain pays tribute to the splendor of the Haute Couture in the 50s and 60s and its great Parisian houses, as a result of the reflection carried out during the industry break.
For Spring/Summer 2021 PHIPPS takes a cold, hard look at American history – peering through the unforgiving lens of social and political turmoil that has marked the year that was.
By offering an entirely 360° designed show, COOL TM, a young emerging brand, offers a creative solution to the problems encountered by the fashion industry which has to reinvent itself digitally.
Celebrating its 30th year as China’s leader of sport and athletic innovation, Li-Ning presents “Game On”, a short film that bridges past and future, compiling historic brand moments with a glimpse at new footwear and apparel to come for the Spring/Summer 2021 season.
For the beginning of 2021, Berluti adapts to the challenges of our moment in time in a long-distance collaboration with the ceramic artist Brian Rochefort for its first creative collaboration on ready-to-wear.
In lieu of the traditional fashion show format, Virgil Abloh has instead imagined a virtual and literal voyage across the world to present his new collection “Message in a Bottle”.
Matt and Will Ritson started creating music after an impulsive trip to a lone church in the Mojave Desert in 2019 capturing the surreal landscape of Beatty, Nevada.
Hollywood actor and amateur skateboarder, Jack Dylan Grazer fronts our Spring/Summer 2020 Olympic Issue shot by Kapturing in 2028 Olympic host city of Los Angeles. While 16-year-old Grazer empowers kids to go out and claim their own piece to skate on, the Olympics can also connect to fond childhood memories. We also look at it for inspiration and a call for togetherness.
