Showtime
Antwerp was a hub of imagination and craftsmanship as the students of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts presented their collections during a two-day event filled with installations and runway shows.
Creativity burst from the stage – a powerful statement that the Academy remains among the absolute top worldwide.
A breeding ground for visionaries, pioneers, and boundary-pushing talent.
And the Winner Is...
At Labels & Things, we have been collaborating with the Academy for several years – a partnership built on trust, freedom, and empowering young talent. This year’s show once again confirmed the Academy’s forward-thinking spirit. With equal conviction, we have chosen to support Lars Mertens in his master’s year.
Lars reached out to us during his third Bachelor year to collaborate – a fully professional and paid partnership. Over the past year, we saw him develop a powerful personal branding, enriched with bold and detailed trims – proudly made by L&T. It was an absolute pleasure to work with him. His openness, strong vision, and hands-on creativity made a lasting impression.
That experience, combined with the strength of his latest collection, made our decision easy. Lars is a true talent who blends concept and craft with confidence. Supporting him in his Master’s feels like the right step forward. He gains access to our international production teams, innovative techniques, and high-quality materials – from custom headwear to metal details and to bold experimenting with branding.
Detail that Elevates Design
We also want to take a moment to celebrate Annaëlle Reudink.
Her collection was truly stunning – a beautiful blend of refinement, emotion, and craftsmanship. Our embroidery details added that little extra to her designs, but it was her vision and execution that made it shine.
Working with Annaëlle this year has been an absolute pleasure. Her professionalism, creative clarity, and thoughtful way of working made a deep impression on our team.
We’re incredibly proud of what she achieved and grateful to have been part of her journey.
Connected by Creation
At L&T, we share a close and personal connection with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. What unites us goes beyond a shared love for detail – it’s a mutual drive to push boundaries and genuinely support young talent.
This year, our collaboration with the Academy ran deep, from early ideas to the final show. Together, we co-created the bags – a tangible result of trust, craftsmanship, and creative partnership. We’re proud to have played a part in this journey, helping transform a bold vision into reality.
A Taste of the Future
The lights fade, but the impression lingers.
What we witnessed this weekend will resonate for a long time – in silhouettes, vision, and boldness.
We look forward to starting this new chapter with Lars and seeing his ideas come to life. If this was just a preview, next year promises even more.
Here’s to what’s next!
