In 1987, a group of six young Belgian designers put their stamp on fashion. Dubbed the Antwerp Six— playfully referred to as “Twerps” by WWD—Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Walter Van Saene, Marina Yee (1958-2025), and Ann Demeulemeester capitalized on their relative anonymity in Europe’s fashion conversations to become a recognized creative force. WWD famously captured their entry at the iconic Abbey Road crosswalk, the same one immortalized by The Beatles in 1969. And would continue covering the group over the years. For the Antwerp Six, the moment marked a turning point, and now, 40 years later, their groundbreaking contributions across all fashion categories are being recognized in a unique retrospective at MoMu Fashion Museum, Antwerp, running from March 28, 2026, to Jan. 17, 2027.
The timing is perfect to reflect on the group’s signature contributions over the decades. Here from WWD and the Fairchild Archives is exclusive coverage from one of their earliest shows in London in 1988 to their present-day impact.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: WWD Dries Van Noten fits a model in his Antwerp, Belgium studio before his 2014 Spring 2014 menswear show in Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Tim Jenkins/Fairchild Archive Dries Van Noten fall 1988 ready to wear fashion show during the London designers showcase on March 13, 1988.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Giovanni Giannoni Dries Van Noten spring 2015 show at Grand Palais, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: WWD Dries Van Noten’s fall 2012 show, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: WWD Dries Van Noten’s spring 2013 menswear show, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Tim Jenkins/Fairchild Archive Marina Yee fall 1988 ready to wear fashion show during the London designers showcase on March 13, 1988.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Dominique Maitre/WWD Designer Walter Van Bierendonck on the runway after his spring 2011 menswear show at Le Bataclan, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Tim Jenkins/Fairchild Archive Walter Van Beirendonck fall 1988 ready to wear fashion show during the London designers showcase on March 13, 1988.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 2014 menswear show at Maison des Metallos, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Dominique Maitre/WWD Walter Van Beirendonck fall 2012 menswear, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Tim Jenkins/Fairchild Archive Dirk Van Saene fall 1988 ready to wear fashion show during the London designers showcase on March 13, 1988.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Dirk Bikkembergs fall 2015 menswear show, Milan.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 2011 menswear show at Espace Commines, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Piero Cristaldi/WWD Dirk Bikkembergs fall 2013 menswear show, Milan.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Dirk Bikkembergs Sport Couture’s spring 2012 menswear show, Milan.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Ann Demeulemeester on the runway after her spring 2011 menswear fashion show, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Tim Jenkins/Fairchild Archive Ann Demeulemeester fall 1988 ready to wear fashion show during the London designers showcase on March 13, 1988.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Ann Demeulemeester’s fall 2011 show at Couvent des Cordeliers, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Ann Demeulemeester’s spring 2011 menswear show at Couvent des Cordeliers, Paris.
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From the Archive: The Antwerp Six and Four Decades of Fashion Innovation
Image Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD Ann Demeulemeester’s spring 2012 show at Couvent des Cordeliers, Paris.