The Antwerp Six

The Antwerp Six is composed of Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Bierendonck, Dirk Van Saene, Dries Van Noten, Marina Yee, and Dirk Bikkembergs. In 1986, the group rented a van and showed their collections at a trade show in London. The show had two floors, and the Antwerp Six were given the second floor to show their clothes. After handing out flyers to advertise their work, their second-floor show enjoyed extraordinary popularity. Their designs were very avant-garde and subversive, challenging traditional fashion tropes of the time. Though technically not a formal member of the Antwerp Six, Martin Margiela is often referenced along with this group, as he also studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and graduated in 1979.

(The Antwerp Six all have extraordinarily different aesthetics, and some are included as individual entries in this dictionary. As such, no gallery of their work will be provided.)