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FASHION TALKS

Fashion Talks is the most relevant conference about the fashion industry and how it really works and evolves. Fashion Talks offers you a unique view behind the scenes of one of the most inspiring industries. You will find new perspectives, insights and valuable connections. And above all, you will leave positively energized and inspired to take your fashion business to the next level!

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This was Fashion Talks 2021

The 5th edition of Fashion Talks took place in the Antwerp Handelsbeurs, the world's oldest stock exchange, and also where the Antwerp six presented their first collections.

Despite corona, we still had the opportunity to bring together more than 600 fashion professionals for a stimulating MAIN STAGE and BREAKOUT programme. This time we had plenty of great speakers including Pieter Mulier, Jan-Jan Van Essche, Bertony Da Silva and Hannelore Knuts.

The day ended with the Belgian Fashion Awards ceremony.

Belgian Fashion Awards 2021

2021 marked the 4th edition of the annual Belgian Fashion Awards ceremony. Flanders DC, MAD Brussels, Wallonie-Bruxelles Design Mode (WBDM), and Knack Weekend/ Le Vif Weekend once again joined forces to put established and emerging talent from the Belgian fashion industry in the spotlight.

These were the seven award winners: Lili Schreiber (Most Promising Graduate); Meryll Rogge (Emerging Talent of the Year); Benoit Bethume (Professional of the Year); Resortecs (Changemaker of the Year); Nicolas Di Felice (Designer of the Year); Imprevu (Fashion Brand of the Year); Walter Van Beirendonck (The Jury Prize).

Some of our 2021 speakers

In 2001 Raf Simons asked Pieter Mulier to design Menswear at his label. In 2005 Pieter was appointed Accessories Design Director at Jil Sander, and in 2012 he became Couture as Design Director at Dior for Women’s Couture, RTW and Accessories. In 2016, he moved to NYC as Global Creative Director at Calvin Klein. In 2021, Alaïa appointed Pieter Mulier as Creative Director. At Fashion Talks, Pieter Mulier was interviewed by Osman Ahmed, Fashion Features Director at i-D magazine.

Hannelore Knuts

During her 20+ year career as a MODEL, Hannelore Knuts became known for her ability to shapeshift her moods, looks and sensitivity like a true chameleon. In a single breath she can transform from a legendary model to a caring mom or a mindfulness teacher. At Fashion Talks Hannelore talked about her life as a model, growing up in fashion. And how to preserve your mental health in the fashion industry.

Bertony Da Silva

Fashion Talks was happy to announce as main stage speaker: founder and creative director of Belgian streetwear label ARTE ANTWERP, Bertony Da Silva! This local hero appeared for the first time on a conference stage at Fashion Talks. Bertony was interviewed by Marie Guérin, editor-in-chief of ELLE Belgium, and talked about his career, the importance of your community and finding your path in this industry as a person of color.

Shayli Harrison & Muchaneta Kapfunde

Shayli Harrison is an Antwerp Fashion Department alumna and the founder of Mutani, a digital fashion unitive that produces digital fashion assets for wear in cyberspace. Muchaneta Kapfunde is the founder of FashNerd.com, a digital news site that focuses on the merger of fashion with technology. She is currently one of the leading influencers speaking and writing about the merger of fashion with technology. At Fashion Talks they had an interesting talk about the future and possibilities of DIGITAL FASHION.

Jan-Jan Van Essche

FASHION DESIGNER Jan-Jan Van Essche is born in Antwerp, graduated from the Antwerp Academy and has his studio in Antwerp. With his label he aims to develop new insights on contemporary yet effortless male and genderless elegance. AT Fashion Talks, Jan-Jan Van Essche joined the debate "How to Fix Overconsumption: a debate about profit, doubt and what we leave behind" with Vanessa Bruno and Laura Larbalestier, moderated by Anja Aronowsky Cronberg.

The French FASHION DESIGNER Vanessa Bruno founded her brand in Paris in 1996. Inspired by Parisian women and influenced by her mother's Danish culture, she instantly stood out with her premium, effortlessly boho chic infused wardrobe. AT Fashion Talks, Vanessa Bruno joined the debate 'How to Fix Overconsumption: a debate about profit, doubt and what we leave behind' with Jan-Jan Van Essche and Laura Larbalestier, moderated by Anja Aronowsky Cronberg.

Doug Stephens is a bestselling author and founder of the global consultancy RETAIL PROPHET. On the Fashion Talks main stage he provided an incisive look into the future of retail in a post-COVID-19 world, where only brands and businesses who remodel and embrace this new landscape will prosper.

Clare Press is the journalist, author and filmmaker behind the sustainable fashion podcast WARDROBE CRISIS, based on her book with the same name. She also co-hosts the UN’s Ethical Fashion podcast with Simone Cipriani. Formerly, Clare was the first ever Vogue sustainability editor.

Gert Kerkstoel is an entrepreneur and investor with participations in a few consumer businesses, amongst which skateboard and sneaker stores LOCKWOOD AVENUE and lifestyle communication agency oona in Antwerp. In his talk 'RETAIL COMMUNITY & Inner City Landscaping' Gert shared insights on the skateboarding and sneaker industry and shared an optimistic vision on the Antwerp Fashion District.