A visit to The Antwerp Six exhibition offered a chance to revisit the work of six designers whose influence continues to shape contemporary fashion.

Emerging from the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee forged distinctly individual creative paths while sharing a common foundation. Their collective appearance at the British Designer Show in London in 1986 marked a pivotal moment, bringing international attention not only to their work but also to Antwerp as a centre for innovative fashion.

What remains striking is the individuality of each designer's vision. Despite being grouped together under the banner of "The Antwerp Six", their approaches differ radically, united instead by a willingness to challenge convention and redefine what fashion could be. Decades later, their influence can still be seen across the industry, from the runway to contemporary textile and fashion practice.