Behind the scenes of Antwerp's SHOW2016

Discover here the next-generation designers at one of the world's most influential fashion schools: the Fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.

A SHOW2016 poster (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

United Entities

Here you can see one of the posters used to promote the annual fashion show of 2016 separately organised by both Fashion Departments of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels de La Cambre in Brussels. The posters are based on Walter Van Beirendonck's 2015 collection theme 'stop terrorising our world' after the Paris attacks in November. It is to be called utterly unique that both Belgian schools of arts jointly announce their shows, being mutual competition and DNA-different schools. Both Heads of Department, resp. Walter Van Beirendonck and Tony Delcampe, chose to embrace each other's uniqueness and make a statement to the world.

A peek into SHOW2016 (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Peek into the Masters' designs

Each year, all fashion students show their acquired skills, creativity and development. Still, the moment everyone is waiting for is the defile of the Masters' collections - They are the upcoming designers. On Google Arts & Culture, you can find out more about them and their designs, taking into account the designers' preferences of disclosure, and here's already a taste of it; so before you can have a feel of the whole show - from backstage to the catwalk - here's a brief  insight into contemporary fashion personalities who said the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp goodbye in 2016.

Dress with flower theme (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Charlotte De Geyter Pittoors
- How to Catch a Fish

In her interest for nature Charlotte found inspiration for her last collection How to Catch a Fish at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.

Flowers and small trees as theme items don't come as a surprise. At the same time the Belgian graduate blew us away with her injection of clothing basics into her collection: “When designing the clothes I used iconic items of clothing as inspiration: shapes of T-shirts, button-up shirts, blazers or other typical pieces of clothing, which I then approached from a literal point of view by incorporating clothes hangers and such. I made the shoes transparent and added organza grass.

Collaboration was a great experience for Charlotte; It's how she discovered the feasibility of the shirt frames, for example. But also when working by herself she pushed her boundaries:

I just really wanted to work with very fine materials and get that refined feeling, with a lot of craftwork because I wanted to test my own patience and take the time to create something by hand.”

Close-up of a jacket too (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Timo Zündorf - Brink

“I was thinking about the way I live with the people around me. And I thought: there is something a bit violent and frightening about the world around us; how do we react to that?" Timo Zündorf about Brink.

Timo is not a philosopher, nor is he a painter. But when you look at some of his designs and what's behind them, you may start thinking otherwise.

The German graduate also has a wayward personal view on fashion design and the fashion world in general. Fashion should show the world we're living in (not sure, though, if Timo also says: fashion should not impose itself onto the world) and, secondly, fashion design should develop artistically, rather than financially where there's place for durable materials, durable collaborations and ethical contemplation.

"I didn't want to create an idea of a jacket, but a jacket"

Meccano's modular clothing style (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Emmanuel A. Ryngaert - Meccano

Like the toy construction idea, clothes are being assembled - there is just little stitching involved, and accessories can be changed according to your personal taste and mood. Meccano.

For his designs, Emmanuel used a unique technique: laser-cutting. This would make global clothing production possible in any country, made from its local fabrics, after having downloaded the design and technical instructions. The image at your right gives a good impression of what you can expect from Emmanuel's collection.

You will find out more in this series and when you search his name on the Google Culture & Arts platform.

A letter in the hand and on the dress (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Jannike Sommar - Miss

For her collection Miss, Jannike was granted the 'Certificate of Amazingness' award by the fashion blog and magazine Belmodo Media.

Jannike's master collection is inspired on the series 'Orange Is The New Black' that tells the story of imprisoned women. They all have their own characteristics and personality: How they cope with missing their family and loved ones, with their lack of connection, with their liberty taken away.

Jannike wrote a letter to her girlfriend as if she was imprisoned herself. What would she miss, what would she feel, what would she say? Answers to these questions you can discover in a very diverse line-up of 12 silhouettes, in this series and even more when you search for Jannike Sommar on this platform.

Studio image of The Wild Bunch representation (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Shone Puipia - The Wild Bunch

Without a doubt, the collection The Wild Bunch by Thai master graduate Shone Puipia is the most expressive in colours of them all.

Inspired by Peter Weir's film ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock' (1975), Shone gives the Victorian schoolgirls' (white) clothing a more organic and raw touch, and more sensual as well. Floral and animalistic aspects a.o. contribute generously to that objective.

What also caught the eye is Shone's boot designs. It is not a coincidence that right after his graduation Shone launched his own shoe label 'Adult', together with Raphaële Lenseigne. An ambitious young designer making his way.

For your eyes only (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

for Your Eyes only

Join us backstage at SHOW 2016! Most of the time you can only see perfectly dressed models striding in control along the catwalk. Now you have the opportunity to take a look behind the curtains: the pressure, the bustle, the final touch to a dress, stressed or composed faces, the adrenalin. All students (masters and bachelors), hair dressers, technicians, models, coaches running like ants in a natural chaos, trying to keep their cool and to be ready for their moment of truth. This is for your eyes only.

Models checking the scene (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Models are checking the catwalk a few hours before they will be observed while walking their line, with their faces straight ahead. Not only the visitors of today are witnesses, the whole world is watching.

Technicians getting ready (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

A perfect show needs perfect organisation. Each detail is crucial. The lighting of a full hangar, the digital title board, and the sound ... This year the globally known Belgian choir Scala will be singing live during the show.

Technical space (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

For some there is still time to relax before being called upon, both indoors and outdoors.

Try to get into someone's mind (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

There's still room for a normal breath, a regular heart beat, an enjoyable conversation. Everyone coping in his own way.

5 different looks (2016)Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

4 times 2 eyes. Almost. Anyway ... they tell different stories.

Dressing up behind the scene (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Models are being dressed.

There's always too little space backstage (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

There's just little space for many people.

The focus is high (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

The whole backstage is packed with rows and rows of clothes, shoes, hats and other accessories.

Pro coordination: designers and models at ease (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

A professional coordination is needed to make the show successful and grant everyone the right focus.

All is being made ready (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

There's always attention being paid to the whole outfit, not the dress only ...

Each design is sacred (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

ornaments ...

Firm stiletto heels (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

stiletto heels ...

Boots designed by Master Shone Puipia (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Shone's boots ...

Accessories are more than accessories (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

hats ...

Head accessory (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

accessories ...

Sunglasses and earrings (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

earrings ...

Chained by Master Jannike Sommar (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Jannike's chains ...

Elegant costume with theme accessories (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Charlotte's shirt frames ...

A key chain (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

key chain earrings ...

Glasses designed for Master Timo Zündorf's collection (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Timo's glasses ...

Sunglasses co-created with brand THEO (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Emmanuel's sunglasses ...

Assembled clothing in close-up (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Emmanuel's key chains ...

Designs are being finalised backstage (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

All clothes and accessories get the care they deserve.

Stitched by hand (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

stitching ...

Each detail is important (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

and stitching ...

Boots with flowers (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

and stitching, to the detail ...

Black stiletto heels (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

each fold counts ...

Draped with metal rings (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

each detail counts ...

Many hands make ... (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

and the clock is ticking ...

Hairdressing (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

hairdressing ...

Making up (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

making up ...

Models focusing backstage (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

the final touch ...

A deep breath (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

a deep breath ...

Are you ready? (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Are you ready for the show?

Lights on (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

The Show

The fashion show of the Fashion department at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp is an annual, internationally praised tradition. The concept remains more or less the same. Students from Bachelor 1 to 3 show their development in design creativity and personality based on yearly repeated assignment themes. The Masters end the show with their graduation collection.  The audience and an international jury are watching every step. But SHOW2016 had something special in mind. There was, as explained in the beginning of this story, the joint show promotion of the fashion schools in Antwerp and Brussels called 'stop terrorising our world', and also, the Belgian choir Scala, known in Hollywood and beyond, was there to make it a mesmerising show. Enjoy!

Man against mirror (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

The Bachelors

Bachelor 1 – an experimental bale-cotton skirt based on the theme ‘Natural Spirit’ and inspired by the students' indvidual object of choice. The second assignment: create an experimental dress on the theme ‘Put your head on my shoulder’.

Bachelor 2 – historical clothing: the details from historical costumes are the source of inspiration for the 5-silhouette collection.

Bachelor 3 – ethnic clothing: the students present a collection of 8 silhouettes. Their designs are based on in-depth research: the fabrics, techniques, culture of origin.

B1 orange dress (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B1 pink and white dress (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B1 blue and orange dress (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B1 'Carpet Fantasy' experiment (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B2 design team is historical (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B2 white bride dress (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B2 black historical dress (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B2 white dress (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B3 ethnic design assignment (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B3 ethnic design (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B3 ethnic design close (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B3 ethnic design (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B3 ethnic design (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

B3 ethnic design (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Scala & Kolacny Brothers (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Scala & Kolacny Brothers

You may have heard a Scala song without knowing it. Check again the trailer of the Oscar-nominated film ‘The Social Network’, or replay the Kurt Cobain documentary, ‘Montage of Heck’. Popular TV series, like 'Downton Abbey', 'Homeland' and 'The Simpsons' also used the music by the Belgian choir. They sing own compositions but got known first by their wayward interpretations of rock songs, metal and even dance music.

Dresses designed for Scala singers (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

All singers are wearing dresses particularly created for this occasion.

Scala accompanying the models with their music (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

During the show, the choir accompanies the models on the catwalk with their live music, which makes the show even more special.

The master collections (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

The Masters

After three years of immersive education with focus on diversity, creativity, personality and collaboration at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, the Fashion master students design their own 12-silhouette collection, to be judged by an international jury.

In this order you can find 2016 graduates Timo Zündorf, Jannike Sommar, Emmanuel A. Ryngaert, Charlotte De Geyter Pittoors and Shone Puipia.

If you would like to see more, we invite you to check their individual exhibits on this platform.

Timo Zündorf with a painter's mind (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Here are some examples of Timo Zündorf's graduation design project Brink.

Close-up of a jacket (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Jacket with four tones of blue (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Paraphrasing Timo: the way we dress reflects the world we're in.

Green jacket with black overlay (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

In Timo's opinion, people today long for self-protection and intimacy at the same time. This idea was the basis for his design.

Costume with recycled and collaged fabrics (2016) by Timo ZündorfRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Timo wanted to "create a jacket, not an idea of a jacket". He succeeded, did he not?

Jannike Sommar's collection (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Miss is the Belmodo Award-winning collection by Jannike Sommar.

Jannike's collection is inspired on 'Orange Is The New Black' (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Jannike's collection is inspired by 'Orange Is the New Black', a TV series about women in prison.

Outfit with chain (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Each design represents a different human nature. How would you express yourself in isolation?

Chained by Master Jannike Sommar (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

A letter in the hand and on the dress (2016) by Jannike SommarRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

What would you miss about your loved ones?

Emmanuel A. Ryngaert's laser-cut collection (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Emmanuel titled his 12-silhouette collection Meccano, assembled clothing.

Jumper, trousers and handbag (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

There's quite some attention paid to accessories, like the yellow bag, and: the sunglasses, co-created with design brand Theo.

Green handbag with rings (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Matching 'Meccano' shoes (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Most parts of the clothing have been laser-cut, and just little stitching was involved.

Varied collection based on one technique (2016) by Emmanuel A. RyngaertRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

This is how Emmanuel has answered his own question:"If modular furniture exists, why not modular clothing?"

Reference to clothing basics (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

With her graduation project How to Catch a Fish Charlotte De Geyter Pittoors takes us to her muse: nature.

Flowers as part of the 'nature' theme (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

In her collection you can find the disclosure of wear design basics.

Costume with hanger (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

A co-created shirt frame.

Dress with tree theme in close-up (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Charlotte used fine materials which was quite a challenge.

Dress with tree theme (2016) by Charlotte De Geyter PittoorsRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Blue re-worked jacket (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

The Wild Bunch, by Shone Puipia, brings exciting colours and dared combinations.

Yellow long-sleeve dress (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Shone found his inspiration in the Peter Weir film ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock’.

White dress with red ribbon (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Originally as white as the characters' dresses in the film, Shone's designs gradually turned into more colourful creations during the process.

One pair of Shone's boots (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

The Thai graduate now owns his own shoe label, Adult, together with Raphaële Lenseigne.

Wild colours revealing young women's wildside (2016) by Shone PuipiaRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Shone brings a variety of lively creations, extravert and sexy.

Ecstatic outburst at the show's end (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

And this concludes SHOW2016. Excitement has taken over from focus, bated breath and adrenalin.

Cooling down before the SHOW2016 party (2016) by Fashion DepartmentRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

It's been quite a journey. Time now to recover and get ready for the next SHOW.

Credits: Story

Behind the scenes of Antwerp's SHOW2016 was made possible by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.

Many thanks go to the photographers and, of course, the Masters Timo, Jannike, Charlotte, Emmanuel and Shone to disclose the imaging of their graduation process. Some of the pictures are displayed here, but you can find out more about the designers in individual stories on this platform. Feel free to check them out!

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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