The seventh edition of the Belgian Fashion Awards 2024, organized by Knack and Le Vif Weekend, in collaboration with Flanders DC, MAD Brussels, and Wallonie-Bruxelles Design Mode, was held at MAD Brussels and hosted by Emma Moortgat.
Each winner received a unique creation by graphic artist Paul Boudens, who was honored with the Henry van de Velde Lifetime Achievement Award last year.
Meryll Rogge, who launched her own label in 2020 after a successful career at Marc Jacobs in New York and as head of womenswear at Dries Van Noten, was awarded Designer of the Year. Meryll is the first woman ever to win the award for Designer of the Year. She previously won Emerging Talent of The Year at the 2021 Belgian Fashion Awards. "Meryll has achieved international success while staying true to herself. Her gender-fluid ready-to-wear designs capture the zeitgeist of today," said the jury.
The Jury Prize was awarded to Marina Yee, a member of the legendary Antwerp Six who put Belgium on the global fashion map in the 1980s. Long known for creating unique artistic pieces by reinventing existing garments, Yee is now applying her personal design philosophy to a series of timeless ready-to-wear garments, wearable by both men and women.
The title of Changemaker of the Year was given to Tim Van Steenbergen and Ruth Goossens, the founders REantwerp, a fashion label that combines sustainability with a social mission. The label exclusively works with refugees, training them in their atelier for up to six months to prepare them for jobs in the Belgian fashion industry. For their collections, they use deadstock fabrics from Belgian designers, creating innovative pieces that celebrate the craftsmanship and personal stories of their team members.
Marie Adam-Leenaerdt was honored as Emerging Talent of the Year. The designer launched her eponymous fashion brand in 2023. Her designs draw inspiration from everyday objects, resulting in timeless clothing that evokes surprise and emotion across generations. She gained recognition as a Grand Prize finalist for the 2024 Andam Fashion Awards and is also a contender for the prestigious Lvmh Prize.
The award for Accessory Designer of the Year went to Stephanie D’heygere. After studying Fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Stephanie went on to design accessories for Martin Margiela and jewelry for Dior. As a freelancer, she collaborated with renowned brands such as Vêtements, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander, Jacquemus, A.P.C., and Gaultier. In 2017, she launched her own brand, d’Heygere.
Daniel Henry was awarded Professional of the Year. His passion about textiles, led Henry towards the textile creation department at La Cambre, where he graduated from in 2001. Since then, he has consulted for the textile industry, working as a researcher, designer and artistic director in fields ranging from furnishing textiles to wall coverings and the car industry. In fashion, clients have included Rabanne, Nina Ricci, Y-3 and Sébastien Meunier. Recent highlights include his ongoing work for Maison Margiela by John Galliano.
Célestin Verheyden was awarded Most Promising Graduate of the Year. Célestin, who graduated with high honors from La Cambre, drew inspiration for his collection from the landscapes, colors, materials and culture of his home, the rural region of Hesbaye. He had internships at prestigious fashion houses such as Saint Laurent as well as smaller, emerging brands like Ester Manas.
Finally, Four Roses was named Fashion Brand of the Year. Four Roses is a Belgian family-run brand that focuses on feminine clothing with an edgy touch, catering to women of all ages. Committed to ethical production in Europe, Four Roses emphasizes reducing stock waste.
