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Unexpected

9 years ago by

Unexpected

Sometimes one decision can transform an industry forever.

That’s what happened when, in 1986, six fashion students from Belgium rented a truck and drove to London Fashion Week. Presenting their collections in a simple trade fair setting, the group are now known as some of the most influential avant-garde designers in the world: Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, Marina Yee, and Dirk Van Saene.

And now the Antwerp Six, as many know them, are being celebrated!

Starting June 5, The Belgians: An Unexpected Fashion Story will feature 100 Belgian designers, but it’s these six who, back in the 80s, just decided to rent a truck who will be spotlighted. It’s made us think about the smaller decisions that might actually change everything…

Have you ever made a choice that’s changed your life forever?

More details on the event here.

Photo: Dazed & Confused Magazine 

10 comments

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  • Oh how I wish this exhibition would come to the U.S. I have pieces from all of these designers and I love their work. I have done posts on Ann Demuelemeester and her friendship with Patti Smith. Love how they changed fashion (that’s why I also love Japanese designers too).
    Accidental Icon
    http://www.accidentalicon.com

  • It’s so often that the smallest, most last minute decisions are the ones that are most transformative!

    Warm Regards,
    Alexandra
    http://www.littlewildheart.com

  • Aimelie May, 27 2015, 8:53 / Reply

    Happy to be Belgian and a very proud one too.

  • Yes, sometimes one decission can change a whole life. In my case – I packed my stuff, took my 3 years old son and moved to Germany. It was very fast taken decission. I was not talking any german word, didn’t had any safety or money, but had a dream. A dream that since 5 years I realize in life through my design, my company and wonderful people that I meet in my life. Small decissions bring to big steps sometimes.

    http://www.philini.com

  • Etait-ce un camion a frites? J’aimerais le savoir avant de lancer ma propre collection (intitulée “jaune devant marron derrier, pour une approche scatologique de la vie dans les sous-bois”)

  • I’m very lucky to call Antwerp my hometown and recently got to visit the Dries van Noten exhibition at the MoMu.
    Also looking forward to the event at Bozar in Brussels ; they always have the most amazing expositions.

    I guess everybody has made a life turning decision somewhere in his life and thank God for that ! Always better to have done something, even if it feels terribly wrong afterwards, than nothing at all ! I’m not the “what if” kind of girl I guess.
    Never a failure, always a lesson, is my motto.

  • A nice little mid-week inspirational story Garance thank you!

    http://www.milkandvelvet.com

  • I live in Rotterdam; it’ll be a short drive for me: I’ll be there!!! I have a small but perfectly formed collection of Ann and Dries’s work… and the Belgians who came and still come after do not disappoint.

  • Lovely! I’d love to visit it. Dries van Noten’s clothes are a dream
    May I suggest another exhibition? “Vogue like a painting”, at the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, in Madrid, from the 30th of June. Promising and beautiful first images http://likeapainting.vogue.es/en/

  • Thank you Garance. This post made my day.

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