From Chanel and Alaïa to Prada and Saint Laurent, Belgian creative directors are spearheading a new era, defining a new model for global luxury
The global fashion scene is undergoing a seismic shift, highlighted by an impressive turnover of creative directors in recent months. As the dust begins to settle and new appointments are finalised, it is becoming clear that the future of luxury fashion will be shaped by designers with Belgian roots. These designers have gained the trust of some of the most prestigious houses and holdings, proving their ability to meet the challenges posed by an industry currently facing a crisis.
Belgium, known for its avant-garde design legacy established by the famed Antwerp Six, is once again at the forefront of high fashion, with its designers now leading some of the world’s most influential houses. This new wave of Belgian talent doesn’t merely replicate the brilliance of its past—it surpasses it. These designers now lead some of the world's most influential brands, including Chanel, Alaïa, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Diesel, exerting their influence across continents and aesthetics. From minimalist tailoring to subversive denim, Belgian-born or -raised creatives are shaping the next chapter of fashion history.
Matthieu Blazy’s Appointment at Chanel: A New Milestone for Belgian Creative Directors
Let’s begin with the most significant and recent development: the appointment of Matthieu Blazy, the former creative director at Bottega Veneta, as Chanel’s new creative head. The role, which had been vacant for months, was one that every major fashion designer in the industry coveted.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
Born in Paris, Matthieu Blazy holds both French and Belgian citizenship, and at Chanel, he is poised to redefine quiet luxury through his mastery of craftsmanship and innovative use of fabric.
The Future of Dries Van Noten: The Belgian Founder Passes the Baton to a Belgian Heir
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
Dries Van Noten, one of Belgium’s original fashion icons and a member of the Antwerp Six, remains a key figure with his eponymous label. However, he announced his retirement in March 2024.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
Following the departure of Dries Van Noten as creative designer, the brand Dries Van Noten chose to look internally for his successor. On December 9, the Antwerp-based house announced that 33-year-old Julian Klausner would take on the role of creative director, overseeing both menswear and womenswear—another Belgian-born talent leading in the fashion industry.
Who Are the Other Belgian Designers Now Leading the World’s Top Luxury Houses?
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
If you take a closer look at today’s most prestigious fashion houses, you’ll see Belgian influence throughout. Raf Simons, a name synonymous with intellectual minimalism, has reshaped Prada as co-creative director alongside Miuccia Prada. His keen eye for contemporary relevance and boundary-pushing concepts has given the Italian giant a distinctly Belgian edge.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
At Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello, born in Brussels, channels a refined sensuality that is deeply rooted in Belgian discipline.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
Born in Belgium and trained by Raf Simons, Pieter Mulier is breathing new life into Alaïa, blending the house’s iconic silhouettes with a modern, architectural approach.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
Glenn Martens, hailing from Bruges, is rewriting the rules of denim at OTB-owned Diesel, transforming a brand once considered outdated into a disruptive force on the runway.
Can Belgian Talent Define the Next Era of High Fashion?
What makes Belgian designers so uniquely impactful? They can balance the conceptual with the wearable and the avant-garde with the commercial. Belgian fashion is rooted in a fearless exploration of ideas—sometimes intellectual, often emotional, and always original.
From Antwerp’s deconstructionist roots to the hyper-modern visions of today’s designers, Belgium’s aesthetic DNA is one of risk-taking, innovation, and craftsmanship. These qualities resonate in a global industry that is increasingly in search of authenticity and narrative depth.
Echoes of the Antwerp Six?
This moment in fashion feels reminiscent of the Antwerp Six, the legendary collective of Belgian designers—Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee—who made a significant impact on the scene in the 1980s.
Much like their predecessors, today’s Belgian fashion designers are defined by their diverse approaches. While the Antwerp Six focused heavily on experimentalism, this new era of Belgian fashion embraces versatility. Whether it’s the conceptual luxury of Matthieu Blazy, the industrial-chic style of Glenn Martens, or the sleek sensuality of Anthony Vaccarello, there’s a Belgian to suit every aesthetic.