Jordy Arthur Vaesen (28) is making waves on Instagram with his playful and colorful creations. As an ambassador for the Designer Sales, which will take place in Antwerp from November 13 to 19, he hopes to be able to score Belgian fashion at cheaper prices.
At the age of fifteen you decided to take sewing lessons in evening school, today you are working as a designer yourself. Have you always had a heart for Belgian fashion?
“That interest has certainly grown over the years. As a teenager I was of course familiar with the work of the Antwerp Six. I remember that during a student job at JBC I regularly looked at the children’s collection that Walter Van Beirendonck had created at the time. His universe has always been a source of inspiration. In recent years, Belgian fashion has automatically come more my way, now that social media makes it very easy to follow what everyone is doing.”
Is it true that Raf Simons has provided a kind of aha experience in your own development?
“I found it motivating how a boy from Neerpelt eventually made it to Dior and Prada. And Margiela just came from Genk. It made me realize that you don’t have to come from a big city to do your thing as a designer. I can also easily develop my career from Houthalen-Helchteren. I also benefit a lot from other young designers from Limburg: Tessa Borrenberghs, Marylène Madou… We often talk about how we approach things. With each other, not against each other.”
You go to the Designer Sales for Knack Weekend.
“In previous years I lived on a budget and mainly invested in things for my own designs. So I went earlier to look at what was on offer. This year I’m giving myself a certain amount of money to spend. Call it research.” (laughs)
@jordyarthur_
Jordy’s route during the Designer Sales
Walter Van Beirendonck
“As a teenager I already looked up to his work. I love its weirdness, its exaggerated silhouettes.”
From November 13 to 16, Aalmoezenierstraat 2
Façon Jacmin
“I didn’t know their work yet, but Ségolène and Alexandra Jacmin, just like me, are involved in up- and recycling, which of course falls right within my interests.”
From November 13 to 19, Kammenstraat 58
Maison Tricot
“They supply knitting for several major designers. Secretly, I also hope to acquire fabrics or prototypes from their own collections.”
From November 13 to 19, Wolstraat 16
Jan-Jan Van Essche
“What he makes is at odds with my own work, but that’s what I like about it just as much. I enjoy expanding my own style with new discoveries.”
From November 13 to 19, Dambruggestraat 48
La Fille d’O
“Definitely someone to be proud of in Belgian fashion. Murielle Scherre makes interesting things that are almost a dedicated form of activism. Admirable.”
From November 14 to 18, Kasteelpleinstraat 64
Click here for the full list of participants.
