User:YelenavanKharitonova/sandbox

What and how much do we know about Fashion in Flanders? Speaking about Fashion in Flanders we have to think about "Belgian Fashion" in general and at the first place...It is complicated 'notion" in itself and we have to clarify what we mean exactly.

Belgium, being a country with a federal system is reach enough in terms of it's languages and cultural-historical variety. Cultural and creative industries in Belgium are under patronage of languages(French, Dutch and German) and regional communities(Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels-region). Fashion is a part of creative industries in Flanders on different levels: the federal level, the regional level, in the provincial level, the city level at least...

Many people in the World know "the Big Six" of Antwerp as "Belgian Fashion" Ambassadors. This is true, but there is much more to say about Belgian Fashion and particularly about Fashion in Flanders.

This year the Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp celebrates its 350 years Anniversary and it's Fashion Department celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Both are important for the notion of "Belgian Fashion" and Flanders Fashion. There were always vibes and appreciation of beauty in this part of the world. Remember all these big names, such as Rubens, Breugels and etc. Not to forget the development of textile industries and what not.

Since how many years the notion of "Belgian Fashion" and "Fashion in Flanders" is known to the World and its selective "fashion connoisseurs"?

Dries van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter van Beirendonk, Marina Yee, Dirk van Sanne, Dirk van Bikkembergs and known for many(but for the last years didn't consider anymore as a part of this "Big sixt": Martin Margielga.

The faculty of fashion is very popular by its name nowadays and produces famous graduates annually. That is why graduation shows, taking place in June every year are big and important events in Antwerp.

In the early years of the Fashion Department of the Academy the style was totally different, because the founders and the directors of the department tend to look to Paris (and the style of that time). But in the 80s the situation was drastically changed. The members of the "Big Six" became very popular (after their trip to London in 1986) and the spirit of that visit is still reflected and projected in the mood of Antwerp and its fashion scene.

The Fashion department of the local Academy of Fine Arts stimulates creativity and individualism in its students, breeds conceptual designers, encourages self-expression in the students' minds. During annual open days one can see students-to-be coming from different countries. It is extremely international! There is an annual big competition in order to enter the Department of Fashion of the Academy.

Fashion in Flanders is something very special. It is about minimalism, combined with some notion of individualism, some irony, "spiced up" with surrealism ideas. It is about black colors (taking into account the reflection of catholic influences and dark landscapes, etc.), symmetric and asymmetric lines, sometimes eccentric, sometimes colorful and playful, seldom intelligent. It is about excellent cut, craftsmanship and product excellence.