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”.
www.antwerp-fashion.be
STREETSTYLE | Pitti Uomo 96 – Part 1
Introducing Adish
KAWAkEY’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection tells a story about cages, freedom, and the quiet weight of time.
MELLER teams up with Lazy Oaf for a limited-edition pair of sunnies designed for true dog lovers.
Montblanc and Wes Anderson return with “Let’s Write,” the second chapter of their collaboration, and an ode to writing, imagination, and the journeys words inspire.
For their SS26 collection, presented at Paris’ Palais de Tokyo, creative directors Aurélien Arbet and Jérémie Egry continue their quiet conversation between art and utility.
Set in the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, the collection exists in a moment between places, where escape and elegance meet.
With JAH JAH’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, self-taught designer Daquisiline Gomis turns garments into quiet acts of resistance.
Last week, CANEX Presents Africa x Tranoï opened their exclusive pop-up honoring the diversity and depth of African fashion at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, running until July 8th.
Men’s Paris Fashion Week has arrived, and to celebrate, we’ve put together a cultural city guide to help you experience the best of Paris.
For ssstein’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Japanese designer Kiichiro Asakawa digs deeper into the kind of beauty that doesn’t announce itself.
Guilherme Breves at Time Model photographed by Michael Oliver Love and styled by Alessandro Ferrari, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
For three days in June, Parque da Bela Vista in Lisbon was filled with music as MEO Kalorama returned for another year.
To introduce Fear of God’s new “Civil Collection”, Jerry Lorenzo worked with director Mike Carson on CIVIL, a film that moves like a quiet statement.
Two American icons collide in the latest Levi’s® and Nike collaboration, merging denim heritage with sneaker culture.
Borque makes his comeback with “Cuando Vuelvas,” a track that blends electronic sophistication with his signature pop hooks.
Oakley has named Travis Scott its first-ever Chief Visionary, cementing a long-term partnership that will reshape the brand’s creative direction.
For Spring/Summer 2026, David Catalán presents “PROBLEMS”, a collection rooted in rural Portuguese craft yet shaped for contemporary wear.
Summer dressing should be easy, sharp when it needs to be, relaxed when it wants to be. MR PORTER’s High Summer Part 2 campaign gets that balance right.
The Barreira Catwalk 2025 filled Valencia’s IVAM with creativity as students presented their final projects under the theme BREAK OUT.
We sat down with Pasqualetti the day after his show to discuss his creative process, how he approaches gender rules, and why being a young independent brand in Italy is no easy feat.
Leander Wilde photographed by Anastasia & Sasha Laukart and styled by Kristina G., in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
In my search for more, I heard about the Yaga Gathering.
MARINE SERRE expands beyond clothing with the launch of MARINE SERRE MAISON, beginning with a collaborative tableware capsule featuring upcycled pieces from France’s historic Faïencerie de Gien.
Magliano’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection trades the runway for cinema, presenting clothes that demand stillness.
British designer Saul Nash returned to Milan Fashion Week to present his Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
Balenciaga and Puma’s long-awaited collaboration finally hits stores!
For its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, QASIMI reflects on ten years under the creative direction of Hoor Al-Qasimi, honoring the legacy of the brand’s late founder, Khalid Al Qasimi.
Italian luxury fashion house Prada presented its Spring/Summer 2026 collection during Milan Fashion Week.
In an era where everyone claims expertise yet rarely looks closely, Simon Cracker’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection takes a different path.
GR10K and 10 Corso Como join forces for a capsule collection that turns industrial leftovers into purposeful design.
Stefan Pollmann captured by the lens of Karl Simone, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
