Jan-Jan Van Essche “Khayal” At MoMu: A Welcome Moment Of Fashion Serenity
by Philippe Pourhashemi

This month, Antwerp-based Belgian designer Jan-Jan Van Essche unveils ‘KHAYAL’ at MoMu, a beautiful exhibition inspired by his latest Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Subtitled with ‘A Time and Place for Everything’, this contemplative and soulful installation encourages viewers to enjoy a meditative break away from the fashion industry’s recklessness and unrealistic pace.

Ever since launching his eponymous brand in 2010, Jan-Jan Van Essche has been quietly going against the grain and some of the principles defining our current fashion landscape, whose key goal is to encourage individuals to over-consume. With the ongoing growth of fast fashion lines -and the multiplication of collaborations between brands- shoppers are definitely experiencing growing sartorial fatigue, a saturation deeply reinforced by the increasing volume of fashion content -and images- posted daily on social media.

Van Essche refuses to shout louder than his peers, and he does not court press either, simply because his clothes should speak for themselves: “When MoMu contacted me last Summer to offer me to guest curate its gallery space on the ground floor, I knew I wanted an environment that felt peaceful and calming, away from all the fashion noise out there. I don’t like lecturing people, or telling them what kind of clothes they should be buying, but I wanted the installation to be a reminder that great clothes take a long time to make. That’s just how it is, and it’s been my approach -and fundamental belief- since founding the brand almost 15 years ago.”

Having experienced the installation myself -and without revealing too much about its details- you do leave the space feeling more serene and relaxed. There’s something about Van Essche’s aesthetic that is quite spiritual, too, striking a subtle balance in his collections between Asian traditions, Europeans codes and African motifs, a continent he’s always been inspired by. His vision of fashion is, in fact, not about pretence, but authenticity instead. Featuring 10 individual silhouettes from his latest ‘KHAYAL’ collection, the exhibition offers a precious insight into the Belgian designer’s unique process as well as some of his recognizable signatures, such as elegant layering, oversized cuts and harmonious lines. Despite remaining low- profile and rarely courting attention, Van Essche’s love for handcrafted textiles, sustainable methods and natural pigments gets quite contagious after spending some time around him and paying attention to the way he talks about his work. In a surprising manner, Jan-Jan Van Essche’s clothes embody some of the key values, which cannot be separated from a certain vision of Antwerp fashion, defined by quality, character, timelessness and a willingness to do things differently: “This exhibition is not about me, but sharing my passions with others, Van Essche explains. The best thing about having an independent fashion brand is the possibility of creating your own community, gathering musicians, filmmakers, dancers and other artists around your world. That, to me, is the most rewarding thing.”


‘KHAYAL, A Moment and Place for Everything’ runs at MoMu in Antwerp until the 8th of June 2025. More information HERE!
Into the Pages of “Cœur météore” by Damien Testu
Off-White™ Drops Limited Edition “OUT OF OFFICE” Sneaker
Johnatan Aba and Yoni Goor captured by the lens of Italo Gaspar and styled by Marchesini Matilde & Stefani Sofia, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Stüssy keeps growing, and its newest store in Biarritz, France, is proof.
DJOOKE opens up about his journey from Portuguese small towns to Lisbon’s DJ scene, the birth of iconic LGBTQ+ party BALAGAN, and his vision for inclusive nightlife.
Nicolas Benitez at New Icon photographed by Diego Bigolin and styled by Daniel Zazueta, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Massimo Osti Studio’s latest collection, Continuative Garments, stays true to the brand’s philosophy: clothes should work effortlessly in everyday life.
For Fall/Winter 2025, Billionaire Boys Club turns its focus to Jamaican sound system culture, drawing from the raw energy of dancehall, reggae, and lovers rock.
Salomon has teamed up with JJJJound to reimagine the XT-6 in two very different ways.
The fragrance captures the fleeting bloom of the osmanthus flower, a winter surprise in Kyoto.
Borsalino’s Fall/Winter 2025 campaign, captured by Pablo di Prima and shaped by Agata Belcen’s art direction, turns hats into something more than accessories. They become extensions of the people wearing them, subtle yet full of presence.
The brand’s… »
A reimagined version of their classic Plantaris, this ultra-limited release swaps the usual for titanium, turning a familiar shape into something that feels like it’s from 2075.
With a remarkable voice that challenges the status quo, Marval Rex is redefining cultural + transgender identities through the lens of comedy, performance, and thoughtful discourse.
SAVVA at Angels Project photographed and styled by Alberto Saguar, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Rombaut’s new drop, Ground I, is the latest step in their barefoot series, a shoe that keeps getting simpler, quieter, more like a sculpture than just footwear.
Rick Owens’s first major retrospective in Paris, Temple of Love, transforms the Palais Galliera into a ritualistic sanctuary.
Alex Brendon photographed by Virginia Navarro and styled by Tomás Jaramillo, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
At Selfridges’ Summer of Sound: Music Talks, Allie X and Charles Jeffrey sat down to discuss how music and fashion shape an artist’s visual identity.
Simon Bresky and Brayden Dutremble photographed by Pasquale Vino and styled by Andrea Bassi, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Somewhere between pop spellcasting and club catharsis, the line between artist and alter ego blurs into something feral, fabulous, and dangerously seductive.
As summer winds down, MR PORTER’s Pre-Fall 2025 campaign bridges the gap between sun-soaked ease and the crisp transition ahead.
From November 14 to 16, 2025, Maastricht will once again transform into a hub for fashion, art, and performance as the FASHIONCLASH Festival kicks off its 17th edition.
The Polish brand’s High Summer Drop SS25 is built for summers that linger in memory, with pieces meant to outlast the season.
For Fall/Winter 2025, Levi’s® reworks its most iconic pieces, combining heritage with fresh updates.
Drowning in all the new music releases? We’ve got you covered. Dive into our handpicked selection of this week’s standout tracks, from rising stars to iconic artists.
The collection takes classic shapes and twists them into something entirely new, with ultra-curved silhouettes that look like they’re from the future.
At the center of it all is British rapper Lancey Foux, the latest addition to what Milli calls the “Clique.”
Maison Valentino has unveiled its latest campaign for Chinese Valentine’s Day, falling on August 29 this year.
Photographer Manuel Cardozo was on the ground, snapping exclusive shots of the looks, the vibes, and the unstoppable energy of WHOLE 2025.
Designed in Venice Beach by Eli Russell Linnetz, the ERL Flip Flop combines technical precision with the brand’s signature laid-back audacity.
From hypnotic sex club dancefloors to melancholic club bangers, flirty800 (aka Harley) isn’t just spinning tracks, he’s warping realities.
This season, the brand looks back to its roots, drawing inspiration from the Palais-Royal, home to its first café.