Dirk Bikkembergs
Dirk Bikkembergs, the top world class designer with German
roots founded his success in Antwerp at the tender age of eighteen when
he joined the Antwerp Royal academy of Fine Arts.
In 1986 it was Bikkembergs who gave Antwerp its first fashion succes:
with assistance from Monarca, he produced a shoe collection which , as
one of “The Antwerp Six”, he took to the British Designer
show in London. The Dirk Bikkembergs label was born.
In January 1988 he launched a very macho complete men’s line, sponsored
by the Italian manufacturer Gibo. In September of the same year he held
his first catwalk show in Paris, to present his men’s spring/Summer
1989 collection. This was the first of many such shows in Paris. The first
show in Milan was in 1999. In 1993 Bikkembergs launched his first women’s
line “Dirk Bikkembergs’ homme pour la femme”.
Bikkembergs acknowledges his talent, but states that hard work and self
discipline are equally important. Today Dirk Bikkembergs has a group of
80 employees working for him. However, Bikkembergs designs the collections.
“What you see is what you get”, his collections come straight
from the heart which makes his clothes personal.
Dirk Bikkembergs does not want to become more famous in the future, as
he does not design purely for the money. He takes pleasure in his work
and regards it as much as a passion as a profession.
Style
Dirk Bikkembergs has developed an energetic
distinct style . His designs differ from all other fashion creators. In
particular, his men's designs have an uncomplicated self-confidence.
The colours that Dirk Bikkembergs use are simple and strong: black, white
and classic tones such as khaki, midnight blue and grey illuminated by
bright, even fluorescent colours. Rough materials predominate and solid
shapes are built up in leather, felt and thick, almost architectural,
knitwear.
Many details in his collections suggest “heavy-duty” functionality.
This impression is created by little details. For example, in the 1997-98
Winter collection a classically tailored suit, with an extreme sharp,
modern cut, was worn with a tie knot which was replaced by a similarly
shaped metal ring.
