Ann Demeulemeester announced Wednesday that she has decided to leave her company. Through a handwritten letter, she said that ”A new time is coming both for my personal life and the brand,” and she feels that the time has come to seperate the two.

The Belgian designer was rather nonspecific in her letter, not stating what she is planning to do next, nor who is taking over as head designer for her brand. Presumably, Ann Chapelle, whom Demeulemeester brought in as manager for her brand in the 90s, will be the new head of the company. Chapelle herself said to Antwerp Today however: “We have been partners for many years now, and will continue to be,” giving the impression that Demeulemeester will still have a central role in the company, but perhaps giving the main responsiblity over to Chapelle.

Demeulemeester designs are known for spare, asymmertrical tailoring and drapery, mostly in black or white. She is also well-known for the well-cut, untidy pants, filmy knits, and masculine jackets. Her designs are shown at Paris Fashion Week, and in New York they are sold mostly at high-end stores like Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Demeulemeester is known as being one of the ”Antwerp Six”, which is a group of six designer students that graduated from Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1981, who all have had great success with their brands. Dries Van Noten is also a part of the Antwerp Six, and they were first referred to under this name in 1986, when the six designers presented their designs in London together.

The designer has numerous times been featured in TWELV, and even though we think it is sad that she is leaving her brand, we cannot wait to see what is in store for the Ann Demeulemeester brand in the future.

WRITTEN BY: SINDRE SKOGEN