This June, Antwerp welcomed the first edition of Antwerp Fashion Festival, a city-wide celebration of fashion, creativity and culture. Bringing together more than 100 shows, installations and performances, the festival transformed the city into a stage for both established designers and emerging talent, attracting international press, buyers and fashion professionals from around the world.
For Labels & Things, the festival represented everything that makes Antwerp such a unique fashion city: creativity, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and a strong sense of community. It was an opportunity to celebrate the designers who continue to shape the industry while creating visibility for the next generation of talent.
One of the most anticipated moments of the festival was Walter Van Beirendonck’s anniversary show, 40 Years Dreaming the World Awake. Van Beirendonck presented a powerful tribute to four decades of creativity in the iconic Boerentoren. More than a celebration of his remarkable career, the show reflected the deep connection between the designer and the city that helped define his creative journey.
Throughout the festival, Antwerp’s diverse fashion landscape was on full display. Designer such as Christian Wijnants, Flortenitna Leitner and Façon Jacmin showcased collections and projects that highlighted the strength of Belgian design today. Combining innovation, craftsmanship and a distinctive creative identity.
The program also created space for emerging voices and new perspectives. Creative including Brandon Wen, Nadav Perlman, Julie Kegels, Sofia Rodriguez Rodriguez and Jinny Song demonstrated the energy and ambition that continue to make Antwerp one of the most influential fashion capitals in the world.
What made Antwerp Fashion Festival particularly meaningful was its ability to connect different generations of talent. Alongside internationally recognized designers, visitors could discover new names, attend public events and experience fashion beyond the traditional runway format. The festival opened the conversation to a broader audience, making fashion more accessible while showcasing the depth of creativity that exists within the city.
At Labels & Things, we believe that the future of fashion is built through collaboration, craftsmanship and the support of creative talent. Antwerp Fashion Festival brought these values together in a way that felt authentic to the city and its fashion community.
As the first edition comes to a close, one thing is clear: Antwerp continues to inspire. Not only as the home of internationally acclaimed designers, but as a place where creativity is nurtured, new ideas are encouraged and the next chapter of fashion is already taking shape.
ph / Alie Storfs / Emmanuel De Prycker