In a first ever collaboration, Antwerp Pride, Antwerp Queer Arts Festival and MoMu will present the installation “Something To Be Proud Of: Belgian Fashion & Antwerp Pride” during Antwerp Pride. From August 8 till August 20, this mini expo is set to explore gender diversity and sexuality in Belgian fashion through a series of four fashion images provided by Walter Van Beirendonck, Wim Bruynooghe, A.F. Vandevorst and Ann Demeulemeester. Additionally, photographer Jill Bertels – a trusted documentarian of Antwerp Pride – has provided images from her own archive for the occasion.

As yours truly likes to point out with intermittent hand claps whenever it’s appropriate (most often when it’s not): gender is a social construct and the vast and diverse amount of talent that represents Antwerp fashion has always explored queerness and gender identity and fluidity in an unabashed and tone-setting way. Whether it has been the work of icons such as Walter Van Beirendonck who has paved the way since the early 80s with collections turning traditional notions of masculinity on their head (for example the SS00 “Gender?” collection) or even this year’s batch of Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion Department graduates like Robbie Van Mierlo, the message has been uniform: society’s limits just do not apply here. There’s no better time than Pride (celebrating its tenth anniversary in Antwerp) to soak in this always-needed message from important voices.

Top Image:
Wim Bruynooghe AW16
“Queer Beauty Project”
Photography: Kris De Smedt
H&MU: Sabine Peeters

“SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF: BELGIAN FASHION & ANTWERP PRIDE”
August 8 – 20 2017

MoMu Antwerp
Nationalestraat 28
2000 Antwerp
Open Tue-Sun (10 AM – 6 PM)
www.momu.be

On August 5, you can also visit MoMu during Museum Night (more info here).