For decades Antwerp has been a nurturing ground of the highest ranks of the fashion industry, gifting many of its precious creative minds to the most important houses, which has resulted in a successful shaping of the field with a Belgian lens. Now after so much giving, it's time to receive. Hosting its biggest fashion event to date, and in the context of a very important year for the city and the legendary names that have come out of it, the Antwerp.Fashion Festival arrives from 4 to 7 June as a celebration of the endless source of talent and taste this little city holds, turning all its efforts into consolidating its place as the fashion capital it already is.
We've been hearing about how 2026 is a very important year for Belgian fashion. The 40th anniversary of the Antwerp Six with its subsequent commemorative exhibition The Antwerp Six at MoMu is already the event in capital letters, but the museum itself, Flanders District of Creativity, the City of Antwerp and EventFlanders have another ace up their sleeve that has finally been revealed and that couldn't excite us more. During the first week of June, the whole Flemish city will dress in their best outfits (as they do every single day) for the event that promises to write its name in bold as the beating heart of the fashion industry.
Something special about this city is how fashion is all around. The explanation as to why so many prominent and decisive names for the industry have come out of Antwerp has, of course, something to do with its prestigious Royal Academy of Arts but also because of the particular inspiring energy that roams through the streets. Here fashion is not forced or faked but rather is lived as naturally and genuinely as the true form of self-expression it is. This is why taking the whole city as the location for the festival sounds so promising; every corner will be a runway in itself.
During these four days different types of events will take place, aimed at all kinds of audiences, with the main commitment of creating a shared experience that allows the exchange of ideas and energy, taking away the snobbish image the fashion industry may have for some. Among many others, we'll be able to enjoy twelve fashion shows and presentations, including the very special Walter Van Beirendonck's 40th anniversary show and the always awaited Royal Academy graduate show. BERNADETTE, Brandon Wen, Christian Wijnants, Essentiel Antwerp, FAÇON JACMIN, Jan Jan Van Essche, La Collection, Marcel Sommer, Marie Bernadette Woehrl and Nadav Perlman will also present their collections and creations.
Installations curated by the festival will be found all around the city, including some by names like Julie Kegels, Florentina Leitner, REAntwerp and Tom Van der Borght, as well as exhibits in Gallery Sofie Van de Velde, KMSKA, SHOOTTHEARTIST, SUPERSAUCE, The Royal Academy of Fine Arts and, of course, the MoMu. Forty-eight windows will also open their spaces for many designers' work, and Fashion Talks return for another edition, including Julian Klausner from Dries Van Noten and Lisi Herrebrugh and Rushemy Botter from Botter and G-Star as guest speakers.
A change of scenery, a change of pace, and a chance to rediscover a city we deeply appreciate through the eyes of those who call or called it home – a festival like this promises to be exactly what fashion needed. The full programme and details regarding locations, entrance, tickets, etc. are available on their website. Don't miss out!
