On Thursday November 28, the Belgian Fashion Awards 2024 were held at MAD Brussels. Organised since 2017 by Flanders DC, MAD Brussels and Wallonie-Bruxelles Design Mode, as well as the editor teams of Le Vif Weekend and Knack Weekend magazines, they celebrate the unique spirit of Belgian fashion and highlight both established names and emerging talents.
The awards aim to highlight the creativity and diversity of Belgian fashion, which is known for being surreal, avant-garde and discreet. But it is much more than that: it also embodies creative innovation and sustainability, driven by designers with strong personalities.
The international jury selects the winners in seven of the eight categories. The final prize, Brand of the Year, is awarded by the public.
The winners are:
- Meryll Rogge (Designer of the Year)
- Marina Yee (Jury Prize)
- Marie Adam-Leenaerdt (Emerging Talent of the Year)
- Daniel Henry (Professional of the Year)
- Stephanie D’heygere (Accessory Designer of the Year)
- REantwerp (Changemaker of the Year)
- Célestin Verheyden (Most Promising Graduate of the Year)
- Four Roses (Brand of the Year)
Designer of the Year
Meryll Rogge 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. She previously won Emerging Designer 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.
Meryll Rogge
The other nominees in this category are: Pieter Mulier, Ester Manas, Jean-Paul Knott et Marina Yee.
Jury Prize
It was awarded to Marina Yee, a member of the legendary Antwerp Six who put Belgium on the global fashion map in the 1980s. Continuing her artistic journey, she explored other art forms and made a celebrated comeback in 2022 with a collection of timeless, gender-inclusive pieces.
Marina Yee
Emerging Talent of the Year
The prize was awarded to Marie Adam-Leenaerdt. A graduate of La Cambre Mode[s] in Brussels, she launched her first collection in 2023, earning accolades for her creativity and determination at such a young age. Her designs are sold on platforms like Net-A-Porter, Ssense and Bergdorf Goodman. Earlier this year, she was also nominated for the Andam Fashion Awards and the prestigious LVMH Prize.
Marie Adam-Leenaerdt
The other nominees in this category are: Julie Kegels, Fragille (Gille Peeters), Eunji Oh et Romain Bichot.
Professional of the Year
Textile designer Daniel Henry has been awarded the Professional of the Year prize. ‘We wanted to honour Daniel Henry to emphasise that fashion is not just about the catwalk. Fabric creation, research and development are the basis of everything’, said the jury. His fashion clients include houses such as Rabanne and Nina Ricci. This year in particular he stands out thanks to his collaboration with John Galliano for Maison Margiela’s spring-summer 2024 haute couture collection. He also won the competition organised by Brussels City Hall to design a contemporary textile work for the wedding hall. This passionate designer also works with furniture and wallpaper designers, as well as with the automotive sector.
Daniel Henry
The other nominees in this category are: Aya Noël, Baloji, Christophe Coppens et ENFNTS TERRIBLE Magazine (Ruth Van Soom & Dries Vriesacker).
Accessory Designer of the Year
The title went to Stephanie D’heygere, who began her career in 2011 as head of jewelry at Maison Margiela and Dior before founding her eponymous label in 2018. Known for her minimalist yet striking designs, she was celebrated by the jury not just for her talent, but also for her character and work ethic.
D’heygere
The other nominees in this category are: Marie Artamonoff, Sofie Nieuwborg, Moutton colleT et Mats Rombaut.
Changemaker of the Year
The award was given to Tim Van Steenbergen and Ruth Goossens, the founders of sustainable fashion label REantwerp. Partnering with GATAM organisation, they offer refugees professional opportunities in Belgium’s fashion industry. Using deadstock fabrics from iconic Belgian brands, their pieces celebrate tailoring craftsmanship while telling the unique stories of their team members. The jury commended the project for not only its laudable mission but also its strong, avant-garde collections. REantwerp
The other nominees in this category are: Morgane Gielen, Niki De Schryver (COSH!), Flora Miranda et Jordy Arthur.
Most Promising Graduate of the Year
The jury selected Célestin Verheyden. During his studies at La Cambre Mode[s], Verheyden interned at Saint Laurent and Ester Manas. His final-year collection, praised for its innovative reinterpretation of traditional menswear codes, impressed the jury with its craftsmanship and originality. @verheydencelestin
The other nominees in this category are: Pommie Dierick (Royal Academy of Antwerp), Julien Houdremont (HEFF, Bruxelles), Jessica Francesca Van Winckel (KASK, Gand), Nanook Cools (SASK, Sint-Niklaas), Leo Jennes (HELMo Mode, Liège) et Tatiana Bifouri (Château Massart Mode / IFAPME, Liège)
Fashion Brand of the Year
Finally, the public chose Four Roses as Fashion Brand of the Year. This Belgian family business, renowned for its personal connections with producers, customers, and ambassadors, has opened four new stores in the past five years, launched a growing webshop two years ago, and recently partnered with multibrand store Juttu.
Four Roses
The other nominees in this category are : AVDW Antwerp, Eva Janssens Bridal Couture, GOFLUO, Nathalie Vleeschouwer, Noureen Modest Fashion, Nue Fine Jewelry, Rhúne, Woody, Vieux Jeu.
The jury
The international jury was co-chaired by world-renowned trend forecaster and curator Lidewij Edelkoort and her colleague Philip Fimmano. They were joined by Serge Carreira (Head of Emerging Brands Initiative of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in Paris), curators Elisa De Wyngaert (MoMu Antwerp), Eve Demoen (Fashion Museum Hasselt) and Nicolas Lor (Fashion & Lace Museum), Alexander Fury (Fashion Director at Another Magazine and fashion journalist at the Financial Times), Sarah Levy (winner of the Accessory Designer Belgian Fashion Award 2023), Elodie Ouedraogo (co-founder of UNRUN and Fashion Director at Elle Belgium/Belgique), Daniel Rodgers (fashion journalist at Vogue UK), Lena-Sophie Röper (General Manager Designer & Luxury Zalando), Marie-Hélène Vanderborght (C’est Du Belge, RTBF TV), Raïssa Verhaeghe (founder and CEO of RAVER Fashion Agency) and Martina Zerneri (communication specialist and brand image manager).
The ceremony was hosted by the Belgian actress Emma Moortgat at MAD Brussels. Each winner received a unique creation by graphic artist Paul Boudens, who was honored with the Henry van de Velde Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.