Antwerp Royal Academy Fall 2026 Graduates Show at Fashion Festival
During the Antwerp Fashion Festival, which lasted four days and was associated with the Antwerp Six exhibition at MoMu Museum, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp unveiled its graduate collections for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. The festival celebrated Walter Van Beirendonck's impressive 40-year career and included discussions featuring Julian Klausner from Dries Van Noten. The jury comprised notable figures such as designers Olivier Theyskens, Francesco Risso, and Saul Nash, along with artists Luc Tuymans and Carla Arocha. Theyskens commended the Academy's emphasis on individuality, while Risso advocated for increased public backing. A total of sixteen collections were showcased, drawing inspiration from themes like Lucian Freud, matrilineal societies, Palermo's histories, and societal rebellion.
Key facts
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp founded in 1663.
- Alumni include Antwerp Six, Martin Margiela, Kris Van Assche, Haider Ackermann, Luc Tuymans.
- Antwerp Fashion Festival held over four days.
- Festival included tribute to Walter Van Beirendonck's 40-year career.
- Jury included Olivier Theyskens, Francesco Risso, Saul Nash, Luc Tuymans, Carla Arocha, Brandon Wen.
- 16 graduate collections shown.
- Bartosz Borowski inspired by Lucian Freud.
- Yvonne Schichtel referenced Marija Gimbutas.
- Vincent Körber inspired by Palermo.
- Carla Lázaro Bonet used flowers as metaphor.
- Lars Martens inspired by Cecil Beaton.
- Stan Peeters referenced Marthe Donas and Alexander Archipenko.
- Feng Zhangchong drew on Cantonese pop culture.
- Jeron Grünewald evoked German Expressionist cinema.
- Tristan Stieners approached fashion as choreography.
- Conor Turley questioned hypermasculinity.
- Mateus Wyczesany drew from black and doom metal.
- Suwen Liang transformed heartbreak into garments.
- Anna Lackner envisioned a diva on the verge of breakdown.
- Enak Baeken incorporated graffiti culture.
- Yichun Liu explored rebellion against societal expectations.
- Byron Wang reflected on intimacy inspired by Claude Lelouch.
Entities
Artists
- Walter Van Beirendonck
- Dries Van Noten
- Julian Klausner
- Olivier Theyskens
- Francesco Risso
- Saul Nash
- Luc Tuymans
- Carla Arocha
- Brandon Wen
- Bartosz Borowski
- Lucian Freud
- Yvonne Schichtel
- Marija Gimbutas
- Vincent Körber
- Letizia Battaglia
- Marcella Campagnano
- Franco Zecchin
- Carla Lázaro Bonet
- Lars Martens
- Cecil Beaton
- Stan Peeters
- Marthe Donas
- Alexander Archipenko
- Feng Zhangchong
- Jeron Grünewald
- Tristan Stieners
- Conor Turley
- Mateus Wyczesany
- Suwen Liang
- Anna Lackner
- Enak Baeken
- Yichun Liu
- Byron Wang
- Claude Lelouch
- Cecily Brown
- Antwerp Six
- Martin Margiela
- Kris Van Assche
- Patrick Van Ommeslaeghe
- Jan-Jan Van Essche
- An Vandevorst
- Haider Ackermann
- Peter Philips
Institutions
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
- MoMu Museum
- Antwerp Fashion Festival
Locations
- Antwerp
- Belgium
- Palermo
- Italy
- Guangzhou
- China