The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp held its annual showcase of Bachelor and Master’s student collections over the weekend as part of the Antwerp Fashion Festival. The event featured 16 designers presenting work shaped by personal research and individual perspectives. Jury members highlighted the school’s focus on creative integrity amid industry pressures.
The four-day festival included a tribute to designer Walter Van Beirendonck and talks such as one by Julian Klausner. The collections formed the centerpiece, with jurors including Olivier Theyskens, Francesco Risso, Saul Nash, Luc Tuymans, and Carla Arocha deliberating on the presentations.
Theyskens noted the academy’s resistance to shifting industry priorities. “The Academy has never been swayed by the evolution of the fashion world,” he said, adding that individuality prevailed over trend-chasing. Risso praised the teachers’ commitment and the coherence of the educational journey from classroom to runway.
Student work drew from varied sources. Bartosz Borowski referenced Lucian Freud paintings, while Yvonne Schichtel explored themes from archaeologist Marija Gimbutas. Other inspirations included Palermo’s layered history for Vincent Körber and German Expressionist cinema for Jeron Grünewald.
Designs ranged from sculptural volumes by Stan Peeters to rebellious street-style uniforms by Enak Baeken. The presentations underscored the academy’s emphasis on sustained research and personal voice.