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«Non.magazine is a Spanish-based fashion magazine with the vision of becoming an international reference platform for fashion and culture. In our magazine, we are passionate about exploring the multiple layers of fashion and understanding it as an artistic and cultural expression that goes beyond trends and stereotypes. Our content is a mix of fashion, photography, art, and culture that reflects the creativity and talent of the moment

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ANTWERP.FASHION FESTIVAL 2026: THE PLACE TO BE FOR FASHION ENTHUSIASTS

From 4 to 7 June 2026, Antwerp transforms into a vibrant stage for fashion and creativity as the Antwerp.Fashion Festival takes over the city. Blending shows, exhibitions, talks, and immersive events, the festival celebrates both emerging and established designers while highlighting local craftsmanship and sustainable innovation. As an independent magazine, we step into this dynamic landscape to experience firsthand how Antwerp continues to shape its global fashion identity; honoring its legacy while opening new spaces for talent, experimentation, and community.

Antwerp’s fashion identity is rooted in a spirit of quirkiness and nonconformity, shaped by decades as a leading incubator for creative talent. This reputation stems from a powerful ecosystem built on the legacy of the Antwerp Six, the forward-thinking approach of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, and the global reach of the MoMu – ModeMuseum Antwerpen. Today, the Antwerp Six are regarded as modern Flemish masters, whose bold creativity and refusal to conform not only placed the city on the global map but also sparked a lasting wave of Belgian talent across the industry.

That legacy continues to evolve through a new and diverse generation of internationally recognized designers, including Raf Simons, Pieter Mulier, Glenn Martens, and Meryll Rogge, alongside rising voices such as Julie Kegels and Florentina Leitner. Strong female creatives play a central role in this landscape, driving forward experimental labels and reshaping international perceptions of Antwerp fashion. As fresh talent emerges and established names continue to lead major fashion houses, the city remains a dynamic laboratory for innovation. Its influence is reinforced by the global recognition of its education system, with Antwerp’s academy ranked among the world’s top fashion schools in 2026.

The Antwerp.Fashion Festival is part of a broader, cross-policy vision designed to secure the city’s future as a global fashion hub. Backed by the City of Antwerp, Flanders District of Creativity and MoMu – ModeMuseum Antwerpen, and developed in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and University of Antwerp, this multi-year plan builds on a strategy launched in 2021 to reinforce Antwerp’s role as an international laboratory for emerging talent. Grounded in strong networks, infrastructure, and accessible support systems, the city fosters fashion entrepreneurship through initiatives with partners like Voka and Startit @KBC. Looking toward 2030, the vision prioritizes collaboration, sustainability, local production, and digital innovation. While the creation of the festival itself underscores how central fashion remains to Antwerp’s identity and global image.

Our schedule brings together a dynamic mix of shows and installations that capture Antwerp’s experimental edge. Brandon Wen sets the tone with an immersive performance at the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, while Christian Wijnants returns home to present his latest collection. Essentiel Antwerp highlights emerging talent through a student collaboration, alongside conceptual presentations like the one FAÇON JACMIN is going to surprise us with. The program continues with showcases from Marcel Sommer and Marie Bernadette Woehrl, before concluding with Nadav Perlman’s reflective installation, offering a more introspective close to the experience.

Beyond the runway, we’ll explore a rich landscape of installations and presentations that extend fashion into art, craft, and storytelling. Labels like Acrai and Anna Heylen offer immersive experiences rooted in material and perception, while designers such as Cédric Jacquemyn and Florentina Leitner push the boundaries between garment and artistic expression. Collaborative projects, like Julie Kegels’s exhibition and REantwerp’s focus on craftsmanship, highlight the importance of dialogue and process, as others including Tom Van der Borght and STEF SERIES transform retail and gallery spaces into immersive environments. Together, these presentations reveal a city where fashion is not only worn, but experienced: through film, performance, installation, and collective exchange.

As the festival unfolds, it becomes clear that Antwerp’s strength lies in its ability to continuously reinvent itself; bridging heritage and experimentation, individuality and community, fashion and art. From runway moments to immersive installations, the city reaffirms its role as a living laboratory for creativity on a global stage. The experience culminates with a landmark event: Walter Van Beirendonck’s anniversary show, 40 Years of Dreaming the World Awake, a fitting tribute to one of Antwerp’s most visionary voices and a powerful closing note to a festival that celebrates both legacy and the future. But of course, the main event for us is going to be the SHOW, a celebration of students’ work from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp.

See you soon Antwerp! Thanks always for everything Flanders District of Creativity, since 2024 believing in us as international independent media, excited for what’s to come!

Words by @alraco43