The Antwerp Six is a collective term for a group of six influential Belgian fashion designers who emerged from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in the 1980s. The members are Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee.
The designers first gained international attention when they staged a joint runway show in London in 1986. Their work is noted for its avant‑garde aesthetic, experimental use of fabrics, and a departure from the mainstream fashion trends of the time. The term “Antwerp Six” was coined by the British press to describe the group’s shared origin and collective impact on contemporary fashion.
The designers have each pursued successful individual careers, contributing to major fashion houses, launching their own labels, and influencing subsequent generations of designers. Their collective legacy is recognized for elevating Belgian fashion on the global stage and for promoting the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp as a prominent institution for fashion education.