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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)
By
  • Elke Lahousse,
  • Jorik Leemans,
  • Ellen De Wolf

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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Further Reading

Dries Van Noten’s Empire of the Senses

‘I can’t complain about the business,’ said the designer as he turned a rundown 18th-century mansion in Paris into a Wunderkammer for his latest collection and the launch of his new fragrance and beauty offering.

With Ann Demeulemeester’s Involvement, Revamp Takes Shape

The brand’s founder will not return to designing clothes, but she will work on special projects, such as creating its first perfume. Demeulemeester and new owner Claudio Antonioli spoke to BoF about their plans as they reopen the label’s Antwerp flagship.

Antwerp Academy Student Suicide Calls Teaching Methods into Question

The fashion programme at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, led by Walter Van Beirendonck, is one of the most prestigious in the world. But after a recent suicide, current and former students have come forward with accounts of depression and drug abuse, calling teaching methods into question.    

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