Kris van Assche

Olivier Theyskens

Bruno Pieters

Maison Martin Margiela

Dries van Noten

Ann Demeulemeester

Yes/no?

I was about to write on Bruno Pieters for my Monday mega post, but since he is Belgium, it would be nice to talk about his fellow RAFA graduates at one go, some of whom are already the industry’s most respected and admired designers.

There are some kind of similarities between the ‘new Antwerp six’—a little media shy, very moody, doesn’t do much interviews and rather let their work speak for themselves. They seem to have the same personalities, it is easy to relate them into a group.

Back to Bruno Pieters. Fall 09‘ must be one his strongest yet, it’s perfection. The construction of his pieces, the layers, the proportions, the workmanship, perfection.

And his recent debut for Hugo by Hugo Boss men. He brought some zing to classic menswear with patterns and contrasting tones.

Bruno was also the first Belgian antwerp graduate to present a couture collection during paris couture week in 2001, just two years after graduating from RAFA.

Speaking of RAFA, isn’t it one of the most underrated schools around? The media and the industry have been hyping about graduates from Central Saint Martins/Parsons for years because of their famous alumni. But the rather quiet Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, is as prestigious with a long history, and first produced the famous ‘Antwerp Six’—Dirk Bikkembergs, Walter Van Beirendonck, Marina Yee, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene and Ann Demeulemeester (Margiela has been mistaken as part of the six, but not really). It is about time to pull the focus back to RAFA.

One very up and coming Belgian designer to look out for: Antonin Tron. I’m sure you have heard of him already, his work has already been circulating in major publications for quite a while.

[images: antonintron.com, style.com]