Here are the nominees for the Belgian Fashion Awards 2026!

Who will be named Designer of the Year? Who will be crowned Emerging Talent, Changemaker or Model of the Year?
The nominees for the 2026 Belgian Fashion Awards have been announced. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at the Belgian Fashion Awards in Antwerp. Tickets will be available from 22 September.

Antwerp, 16 September 2026

Every year, the Belgian Fashion Awards shine a spotlight on Belgium’s most outstanding fashion talents and professionals. Both established names who have put Belgian fashion on the international map and a new generation of designers, creative professionals and changemakers are in the running for an award.

This year, prizes will be awarded in 10 categories: Designer of the Year, Accessory Designer of the Year, Emerging Talent of the Year, Changemaker of the Year, Creative Professional of the Year, Company of the Year, Model of the Year, Most Promising Graduate, Outstanding Achievement and Weekend Lovebrand of the Year.

And the nominees are…

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Ester Manas

Ester Manas founded her eponymous label in 2019 alongside Balthazar Delepierre, whom she met at La Cambre in Brussels. The duo have built a reputation for their distinct vision of inclusivity and clothing that embraces different body types. The collections are made in Belgium using deadstock and materials sourced from across Europe.

Manas’s work has previously been recognised by organisations including ANDAM, the H&M Design Award, the LVMH Prize and the Festival of Hyères. One of her iconic dresses has been included in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. With her collection *The Elephant in the Room*, she responded to the backlash against size inclusivity in today’s fashion landscape. In 2026, the label will expand its range with a children’s collection. Manas was previously named Changemaker of the Year at the 2022 Belgian Fashion Awards.

Matthieu Blazy

The Franco-Belgian Matthieu Blazy studied at La Cambre in Brussels and gained experience working for designers including Raf Simons, Maison Margiela, Celine and Calvin Klein. In 2021, he was appointed creative director of Bottega Veneta, where he combined craftsmanship, versatility and commercial acumen. In late 2024, it was announced that Blazy would become Chanel’s new artistic director – the fourth head designer in the fashion house’s history.

With his first ready-to-wear collection for Chanel in October 2025 and his first haute couture collection in January 2026, Blazy cemented his status as one of the most influential designers of his generation. His shows evolved into immersive experiences that attracted significant international attention.

Meryll Rogge

Meryll Rogge, from Ghent, studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and subsequently worked at Marc Jacobs in New York and as head of womenswear at Dries Van Noten. In 2020, she launched her own label, characterised by vintage influences, eclectic contrasts, classic tailoring and avant-garde elements.

2025 was a remarkable year for Rogge. She won the ANDAM Grand Prize, co-founded the label B.B. Wallace with British knitwear specialist Sarah Allsopp, and was appointed creative director of Marni. Her first collection for the Italian fashion house was presented in Milan in February 2026 and received international acclaim. Rogge has previously won the Belgian Fashion Award for Designer of the Year in 2024.

ACCESSORY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

A.F.Vandevorst

An Vandevorst and Filip Arickx founded A.F.Vandevorst in 1997 and went on to become one of Belgium’s most influential fashion brands. Their collections were always personal, conceptual and deeply rooted in their own vision of fashion. Although their runway shows were discontinued, the brand remained active through its products and heritage.

The iconic X010 boots, a recognisable part of the A.F.Vandevorst DNA, have made a comeback over the past year. The model’s return was partly driven by demand from long-standing international stockists and demonstrates how the brand’s own heritage can once again be leveraged as both a commercial and cultural asset.

Bernadette & Charlotte de Geyter – BERNADETTE

The Antwerp-based label BERNADETTE was founded by mother and daughter Bernadette and Charlotte de Geyter. The brand combines hand-drawn prints with vintage influences and contemporary silhouettes. What began as a ready-to-wear label has evolved into a broader lifestyle universe.

In addition to clothing, the range now also includes accessories, shoes and homeware. With its bold use of colour, feminine signature style and modern interpretation of luxury, BERNADETTE continues to build a strong international retail presence.

Dries Criel

Belgian jewellery designer Dries Criel draws inspiration from the movement of the body, dance and space. His sculptural designs combine architectural clarity with tension, strength and sensuality. Traditional craftsmanship is given a distinctly contemporary interpretation.

In July 2025, Criel presented his first high jewellery collection in Paris. With The Vault, his first showroom and creative space in Antwerp, he continued to build his own universe. At the same time, he took significant steps into the American market.

EMERGING TALENT OF THE YEAR

Abdel El Tayeb

Brussels-based Abdel El Tayeb has French-Sudanese roots. After studying textile design at Olivier de Serres in Paris, he studied fashion at La Cambre in Brussels. He gained experience working for, amongst others, Isabel Marant, Balmain Shoes, Cédric Charlier, Maison Margiela Artisanal, Franck Sorbier Haute Couture, Ann Demeulemeester and Bottega Veneta.

Through his haute couture label, El Tayeb Nation, he blends contemporary fashion with Sudanese craftsmanship and cultural identity. The garments are manufactured in Sudan. In 2021, he won the Fashion Trust Arabia Debut Talent Prize in Doha, presented by Naomi Campbell. His work has appeared on the cover of Vogue Arabia, amongst other publications. In 2024, he received the Design Award from the Institut du Monde Arabe.

AVDW – Annick Van De Weghe

The Antwerp-based label AVDW, founded by Annick Van De Weghe and her daughter Romée Bleys, combines fashion and craftsmanship with influences drawn from travel and diverse cultures. The iconic South African Lesotho blankets, in particular, are a major source of inspiration for the collections and the distinctive manta coat.

The colourful, handmade pieces are crafted in workshops in Belgium and Italy. Since Romée Bleys joined the label in 2022, the range has been expanded to include a full ready-to-wear collection and accessories. The brand now has stockists in Belgium and various European markets, and opened its own shop in Antwerp in 2025.

Mattia Van Severen

Mattia Van Severen, born in Belgium in 1987, comes from a well-known Belgian furniture design family but chose to pursue a career in fashion himself. His background in design remains clearly evident in his approach to clothing, which centres on construction, material and form.

After completing his training, he worked for ten years with designers including Haider Ackermann, Ann Demeulemeester and Damir Doma. In January 2026, he presented his first solo collection, ‘Nine Jackets, a Shirt and Pants’, at Paris Men’s Fashion Week . His designs were quickly snapped up by retailers in Belgium, the United States and Japan. Van Severen lives and works in Antwerp.

CHANGEMAKER OF THE YEAR

Bianca Quets Luzi – Wave Together

Bianca Quets Luzi has been active in the fashion world for over 25 years. Since 2009, she has been CEO of Raf Simons and has played a key role in the brand’s evolution into an independent company, focusing on both growth and safeguarding its creative and cultural identity.

Previously, she worked at Maison Martin Margiela and Dirk Bikkembergs. Alongside her professional activities, she works as a consultant and is involved in cultural collaborations. She is co-founder of the non-profit organisation Wave Together, which connects young people with professionals from the worlds of fashion and culture. She also founded Luis Consulting, through which she promotes cultural exchange between Asia and Europe via fashion.

In 2026, she contributed to the exhibition ‘Memory is Home’ at the Hasselt Fashion Museum. She lectures at the University of Antwerp and is a columnist for ELLE Belgium.

Luna Aslan – NOOSA Fiber

Luna Aslan is the founder of the Belgian innovation company NOOSA Fiber, which is working on circular, bio-based fibres as an alternative to conventional cotton. The company is developing a production model centred on circularity.

Through technologies such as NOOCYCLE, the company is focusing on recyclable textile fibres and new solutions for the transition to a more circular textile industry. In 2025, NOOSA Fiber was highlighted by Forbes Belgium, amongst others, as a strategic innovation player in light of the new European regulations on textiles.

Tom Van der Borght

As an independent artist, Tom Van der Borght operates at the intersection of fashion, performance and visual art. His work embodies radical inclusivity, creative freedom and a distinctly non-conformist vision of the body and identity.

Van der Borght has previously exhibited in cities including Berlin, Paris, London and Panama, and has won several international awards, including the Première Vision Grand Prize and the Public Prize at Hyères in 2020. Last year, he combined his artistic practice with his role as a lecturer in Fashion Design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.

In 2025, he was involved in, amongst other things, the Osaka World Expo and the Antwerp.Fashion Festival, where he presented research on ‘7 Non-Normative Bodies’. He also collaborated with David Byrne on the cover of his new album.

CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Dennis Vanderbroeck

Dennis Vanderbroeck is originally from the Netherlands but lives in Antwerp; he is a creative director and runs his own studio, SDV. Drawing on his background in spatial design, he works internationally on projects in fashion, music, theatre and exhibitions.

His work is characterised by a strong visual language and an ongoing dialogue between space and visitor. His international collaborations include Rosalía, Diesel, Maison Alaïa, Miu Miu, ITA, the Dutch National Opera, the Volksoper Wien, Dries Van Noten, the Barbican and Mugler.

In 2025 and 2026, his work included set design and spatial design for Diesel, Alaïa and Dries Van Noten. He also designed the set for We Can Dance 2025.

Geert Bruloot

Geert Bruloot is a curator, retailer and one of the pioneers of Belgian fashion. In 1983, together with Eddy Michiels, he founded the exclusive shoe shop Coccodrillo in Antwerp. Three years later, he opened Louis Antwerp, a clothing shop specialising in Belgian designers.

Bruloot played a key role in the international breakthrough of Antwerp fashion and the Antwerp Six. In 1993, he helped establish the Flanders Fashion Institute, the forerunner of the Flanders District of Creativity.

As a curator and author, he has continued to champion Belgian fashion heritage over the past decades. He contributed to the exhibition *The Antwerp Six* at MoMu in 2026 and was co-curator of *The Only True Protest is Beauty*, the Fondazione Dries Van Noten’s first exhibition in Venice.

Rafael Adriaensens

Rafael ‘Raf’ Adriaensens was a close creative and business partner to Marina Yee, one of the original Antwerp Six, during the final years of her life. Following her death in November 2025, he has been committed to preserving and making accessible her archive and collections, and to continuing the operations of the fashion label.

Adriaensens previously worked on product development for Raf Simons, as a senior designer at Veronique Branquinho and as commercial director at Adam Kimmel. He also spent several years working in leather goods, accessories and menswear at Ann Demeulemeester.

His nomination recognises both his long-standing collaboration with Marina Yee and his role in preserving and carrying on her creative legacy.

COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Cousy Knitwear

Cousy Knitwear builds on more than a century of Belgian expertise in knitwear and is now in its fifth generation as a family-run business. As a manufacturing partner for leading Belgian and international fashion houses, the company possesses in-depth knowledge of high-quality knitwear production.

Cousy Knitwear has also been supporting students and graduates of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp for many years, offering young designers access to high-quality production knowledge and expertise. In doing so, the company plays a key role in the Belgian fashion ecosystem and in the development of a new generation of designers.

FAÇON JACMIN

The Belgian label FAÇON JACMIN was founded by twin sisters Ségolène and Alexandra Jacmin. Alexandra studied at La Cambre and previously worked at Maison Martin Margiela and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

The brand is known for clothing that centres on individuality, self-confidence and empowerment. Denim forms an important part of its DNA, alongside other materials and playful silhouettes. Upcycling and sustainability are key principles in this regard.

In 2025, FAÇON JACMIN celebrated its tenth anniversary as an independent label. It presented its SS26 collection, ‘The Morning After’, during Paris Fashion Week and took part in the Antwerp.Fashion Festival. Meanwhile, the brand continues to build its international agent network, with a strong focus on Asia.

Wouters & Hendrix

Karen Wouters and Katrin Hendrix founded Wouters & Hendrix in 1984. Based in Antwerp, the jewellery house has grown into an internationally recognised label with a distinctly avant-garde and surrealist signature. Craftsmanship and experimentation are central to the collections, which are sold worldwide in regions including Europe and Asia.

The house recently collaborated with Serax on its first home jewellery collection and, together with Hannelore Knuts, developed L’Issence, an innovative fragrance label in the form of a ring.

The collaboration with Meryll Rogge for her SS26 show illustrates how Wouters & Hendrix continues to combine its decades of workshop expertise with contemporary fashion.

MODEL OF THE YEAR

Kina Vandevelde

Kina Vandevelde has been working as an international model for over twenty years and has featured in editorials, fashion shows and campaigns since the 1990s. She has worked for houses such as Givenchy, Hermès, Armani and Yves Saint Laurent, and has been the face of brands including Fred Jewelry and Simone Pérèle.

Today, she remains active on the international catwalk, working for designers including Julie Kegels, Marine Serre, Ester Manas, Vivienne Westwood and Zegna. Vandevelde was born and raised in Belgium and has also developed a versatile career as a make-up artist, hairstylist and photoshoot stylist.

Louise Robert

The 21-year-old Belgian Louise Robert has quickly become a much-sought-after international model. She has walked in shows for brands including Chanel, Zimmermann, Fendi, Ann Demeulemeester and Erdem, and has featured in campaigns for Givenchy, Raf Simons and Coperni.

She also featured in the Mytheresa x Courrèges campaign and became the face of the Zadig & Voltaire fragrance, Zadig. Her editorial work has appeared in publications including Vogue Czechoslovakia, DAZED, PUSS PUSS and Another magazine.

Yana Bovenistier

Yana Bovenistier, originally from Ostend and with Belgian and Congolese roots, was discovered via Instagram by Women Management New York. Since then, she has signed with several leading modelling agencies in Europe and the United States.

She has appeared in editorials for publications including Vogue Netherlands, Vogue Germany, Document Journal and Le Mile Magazine. With her expressive presence and distinctive visual style, she has carved out a recognisable niche within the contemporary international fashion world.

MOST PROMISING GRADUATE

Harry Van Noten – KASK Ghent

Harry Van Noten is a Belgian fashion designer and a Master’s student at KASK in Ghent. His work draws on fashion history, craftsmanship, subcultures and the relationship between the body, clothing and identity.

Fetishism, queer culture and historical references are key sources of inspiration. Van Noten combines extensive research with techniques such as hand embroidery, draping and pattern cutting. His work has appeared in publications including *Vogue* and has been showcased in exhibitions, fashion shows and independent projects.

Kito Kitsoane – SASK Sint-Niklaas

In his work, Kito Kitsoane explores the relationship between form, objects and narratives. With a background that bridges South Africa and Belgium, he examines rituals and the way in which people and objects interact with one another.

His wearable objects approach fashion as a form of dialogue between different times and cultures. He works with discarded materials such as carpets, table linen and bed linen, giving them a new lease of life. Technical design and pattern development form an important part of his practice, which he also links to performance and movement.

Stan Peeters – Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Stan Peeters is a Belgian fashion designer and a recent graduate of the fashion department at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. His work takes the female body as its starting point and explores sculptural and architectural forms.

For his graduation collection, *Sculpted Space*, he drew inspiration from, amongst others, Alexander Archipenko and Marthe Donas. Sculptural volumes, clean lines and refined tailoring take centre stage. Together with his father, he also developed wooden accessories.

Peeters was selected as one of the ten finalists in the ITS Contest in Trieste and will start as an intern at Maison Alaïa in Paris in September.

Léa Destercke Hock – HEFF

Léa Destercke Hock studied Fashion Design & Modelling at the Haute École Francisco Ferrer in Brussels. She explores what clothing for the future might look like without compromising on aesthetics or comfort.

In her graduation project , *Wardrobe 2026: A Playground Between Blue and Yellow*, she explores the tensions between colour, form and material, and between fluid and solid forms, beauty and ugliness, sportswear and fashion. For *The Sport Dress*, she combined Lycra, jersey and satin, draping the top directly onto the body. She collaborated with Brussels-based craftspeople specialising in leather, knitwear and jewellery, amongst other things.

Loïc Koop Hermans – HELMo Mode

Loïc Hermans is a Belgian fashion designer who graduated from HELMo Mode in Liège. Tailoring, sculptural volumes, heritage clothing and everyday wear form the basis of his design practice. His designer name, Koop Hermans, combines his parents’ surnames.

For his graduation collection, *Bloodlines – What Silence Weaves*, he created a fictional family comprising nine characters. Trauma, intergenerational transmission and memory are translated into silhouettes, materials and constructions. Clothing thus becomes a means of making personal and collective memories visible.

Marie Scerri – La Cambre

Marie Scerri graduated from La Cambre in Brussels. Her work explores the relationship between the body, silhouette and material, and demonstrates a distinctly personal approach to fashion and construction.

Pétula Cliche – Château Massart

Pétula Cliche, aged 22 and originally from Namur, has been using fashion as a means of self-expression since her childhood. She graduated from IFAPME Château Massart in Liège, having previously trained at the École des Cadets in Namur.

Her work is characterised by a distinctly avant-garde and expressive vision. She combines her technical training with a strongly personal creative vision and sees fashion as a form of self-expression.

THE JURY

The international jury for the Belgian Fashion Awards 2026 is chaired by Serge Carreira, Director of Emerging Brands at the Fédération Française de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

The jury also comprises Kristin Stoffels, Fashion Director at Knack Weekend / Le Vif Weekend; Sofie Van de Velde, art gallerist and entrepreneur; Sonja Noël, Brussels fashion pioneer and owner of the STIJL boutique; Bertony Da Silva, Founder & Creative Director of ARTE Antwerp; Mark Holgate, fashion writer, editor, critic and consultant; Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week; and Yang Lu, Global D2C Brand Architect, lecturer and mentor.

The jury assesses the nominees on their impact, creativity, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and contribution to the Belgian and international fashion landscape.

THE BELGIAN FASHION AWARDS

The Belgian Fashion Awards have been organised since 2017 by Flanders District of Creativity, MAD Brussels, Wallonie-Bruxelles Design/Mode and Knack Weekend / Le Vif Weekend. The awards aim to celebrate the exceptional richness of Belgian fashion and shine a spotlight on both established names and a new generation of talent.

The winners of the Belgian Fashion Awards 2026 will be announced on Tuesday 17 November 2026 during the awards ceremony in Antwerp. This year’s edition is made possible thanks to the support of Bleckmann, the expert in logistics and fulfilment solutions for fashion and lifestyle brands.
Early bird tickets are available from 22 September 2026 via https://www.belgianfashionawards.be/