LFW – Christian Wijnants: a celebration of Belgian design

The Belgian Flanders Fashion Institute celebrates the best of Belgian design. In doing so, on 15^th February the centre organised an exhibition in Christian Wijnants’ honour, nominated for the International Woolmark Prize. 

A few outfits were at the core of the exhibition. The models recalled the knitted tradition, black and white matches and white woollen dresses. Everything was essential and reduced to the core, without superfluous elements, accessories or models. 

Christian Wijnants helps clarify the concept behind the exhibition. He said: “The exhibition is an overview of the brand I created ten years ago. I wanted to focus on knitwear because I love it, and because of the nomination I received at Woolmark where I presented a knitwear collection. I selected outfits from the last ten years. We can say this exhibition is the essence of my career so far.”

Wijnants has been selected to be the European representative at the International Woolmark Prize 2013. 

The staging was minimal. The huge rooms on the second and third floor of the building have been divided into fitting rooms made from metal sheets, and in the middle stood Wijnants’s outfits. The focus was on the designer’s works only; nothing else occupied the space or hung from the wall. 

To put the visitors in the right mood, Belgian DJ Merdan Taplak played a set list of songs to help create a relaxed atmosphere. He said: “I’m a Belgian DJ and I’m connected to the Flanders Fashion Institute that helps promote Belgian fashion designers, and helps them gain international recognition. I often play at their events and they ask me to create the right atmosphere for each event.” 

Besides the fashion designer and the DJ, there was also Belgian food and drink offered to the visitors who had the opportunity to ask Wijnants about his work.

Monica Guerrasio

Photos: Monica Guerrasio