What to Look Forward to at Antwerp Fashion Department’s SHOW2019

The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion Department’s SHOW2019 is but a week away, we already told you to bag those tickets so now you’re all set for the details. Wipe a tear, spot a future legend, bask in the glory of unbridled young creativity guided by the highest-ranking faculty in the field worldwide. Here’s what you’re in for on the weekend of June 7.

The Masters

Rico Nasty wearing Di Du to the 2019 Pre Met Gala Party (c) Rico Nasty

The class of 2019 is a sizable one, consisting of 13 Master students: David Zoel Viersen, Nick Haemels, Nel Maertens, Linus Leonardsson, Hyejinkim Grace, Sabīne Skarule, Di Du, Maximilian Rittler, Brandon Wen, Shuting Qiu, Quinten Mestdagh, Victor Wang and Yelizaveta Volosovska. It’s always such a privilege to witness greatness from the early days, so follow the official Master’s Insta for a glimpse at the moodboards they’ve composed for their graduate collections. In the words of award-winning graduating student Brandon Wen: “We're a really talented bunch of schmucks.”

The Bachelors

Designs by BA student Sensen Lii in Sukeban Magazine (c) Sukeban

The graduates are the stars of the show, of course, but eagle eyes will be able to spot the next gen of greats from jump. The Bachelor grades represent a wide array of talent taking shape and you’d be remiss not to zoom in on what they’re bringing to the table.

The Jury

Has it been a full year since I was stanning for our very own Dominique on the International Jury panel? Time doesn’t fly, it hurtles at Mach 3. Silver lining surrounding the passage of our lives: the SHOW2019 jury is joined by the unmistakable, pivotal and much-loved fashion designer Alber Elbaz. As guest of honour, Elbaz will be deliberating alongside MoMu Director & Chief Curator Kaat Debo as well as young designer celebrity favourites such as Marine Serre and Richard Quinn. Here’s the full list of international jury members:

Alber Elbaz – Designer, Paris / Guest of Honour
Mikio Sakabe – Designer, Tokyo
Jenfang Shueh – Designer Jenny Fax, Tokyo
Marine Serre – Designer, Paris
Richard Quinn – Designer, London
Kaat Debo – Director & Chief Curator MoMu – Fashion Museum, Antwerp
Robin Meason – Founder Ritual Projects, Paris
Jessica Michault – SVP Industry Relations Launchmetrics & Editor at large ODDA Magazine, Paris
Simon Grandry – Founder/Head of sales Up Next Agency, Paris
Ben & Chris Ospital – Owners MAC Modern Appeal Clothing, San Francisco
Eric Pech – Men’s Designers & Luxury buyer Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Lut Clincke – Journalist, Belgium
Kate Housh – Stylist, Belgium

The Magazine

Just like every year the festivities will be accompanied by the release of a super exclusive and always quick to sell out magazine. In an exciting twist, this year’s publication is a student-fronted extravaganza led by teacher Manon Kündig and has the masters collaborating with their peers from other departments. You can still catch a little bit of KNOTORYUS in there, though, since Walter Van Beirendonck invited Dominique to lunch, told her exactly what he wanted his Edito to say, after which she bounced off her cloud, returned to the office and wrote it all down.

The Expo

No SHOW2019 without the accompanying EXPO2019 – your chance to come face to face with the garments freshly introduced to the world by the 2019 Masters. Get to know the graduates and their designers on a personal level at this unique exhibition, on June 8 only.

The Music

To pre-game the show’s mood, listen to a selection of getting-in-the-zone tracks the Masters have lovingly curated for The Word Radio – featuring Yves Tumor and Daft Punk. You know we’ve got you with the runway soundtrack playlist after the show ends.

The Afterparty

Meet the exhausted/elated students and fashion’s fine flock at ‘SHOW SOMETHING’, the official SHOW2019 SCANDALS Afterparty. Rendez-vous at De Studio in Antwerp, Saturday June 8 at 10 PM (tickets €10 at the door). Lined up: Pascal H, DJ No, Lola Haro, KKKRRRTTTCCCHHHVVV (graduate Stefan Kartchev) and Evgenyilyich.

The Tickets

There are literally only a handful of tickets for SHOW2019 left, you might still book yours on time if you go here. For EXPO2019 tickets, you need to head here.

SHOW2019
7- 8 June 2019

Waagnatie
Rijnkaai 150
2000 Antwerp

Bar & food: 6 PM
Foodtrucks by Alma Libre / Mission Massala / Balls & Glory (meat & vegan)
Doors: 7 PM
Start show: 8 PM
Tickets: seated €37 & standing €15

EXPO2019
June 8
11 AM – 5 PM

Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Mutsaardstraat 31
2000 Antwerp
Tickets: €10 (students €5)

Header image: Jan Van der Perre - Gazet Van Antwerpen