Read on FashionNetwork.comBelgian Designer Marina Yee, Member of Antwerp Six, Dies at 67
Belgian designer Marina Yee, a founding member of the revolutionary Antwerp Six collective that transformed global fashion in the 1980s, has passed away at age 67. The Antwerp Fashion Museum announced her death on Sunday, noting her name remains 'inextricably linked to the legendary Antwerp Six collective, which put Belgian fashion on the world map.' Yee was part of the group of six Flemish designers who famously packed their creations into a van in 1986 to showcase their work at London's British Designer Show, introducing their sober, raw, and deconstructed aesthetic that contrasted sharply with the era's dominant fashion trends.
The fashion world mourns the loss of Marina Yee, a pioneering Belgian designer and member of the influential Antwerp Six collective, who passed away at the age of 67. The Antwerp Fashion Museum confirmed her death on Sunday, marking the end of an era for one of fashion's most revolutionary movements.
The Antwerp Six Legacy
Marina Yee's name remains forever linked to the legendary Antwerp Six collective, which fundamentally changed the fashion landscape in the 1980s. As the Antwerp Fashion Museum emphasized, her contribution was instrumental in 'putting Belgian fashion on the world map.' The collective emerged from a group of six young Flemish designers who graduated from the prestigious Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
Revolutionary London Debut
In 1986, the six designers—Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene, Marina Yee, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, and Dirk Bikkembergs—made fashion history by packing their creations into a van and traveling to London for the British Designer Show. Their unpronounceable Belgian names led to their collective branding as the Antwerp Six, a title that would become synonymous with avant-garde fashion innovation.
Distinctive Design Philosophy
The Antwerp Six introduced a radical departure from contemporary fashion trends with their sober, raw, and deconstructed designs. Their aesthetic stood in stark contrast to the sequins and shoulder-padded jackets dominating the 1980s fashion scene. This minimalist, intellectual approach to fashion challenged conventional beauty standards and established Belgium as a serious contender in global fashion.
Varied Career Paths
Following their breakthrough, the Antwerp Six members experienced dramatically different career trajectories. While Marina Yee maintained relative anonymity compared to her peers, other members achieved international acclaim. Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester became celebrated designers from Tokyo to New York, while Dirk Bikkembergs found success with athletic-inspired collections embraced by sports enthusiasts.
Legacy and Future Recognition
Before Yee's passing from cancer, the Antwerp Fashion Museum had already planned an exhibition dedicated to the Antwerp Six in 2026. This exhibition will commemorate the 40th anniversary of their international breakthrough, ensuring that Yee's contributions and those of her colleagues will be properly celebrated and remembered by future generations of fashion enthusiasts and professionals.
The death of Marina Yee marks the closing of a significant chapter in fashion history, but her legacy lives on through the continued influence of the Antwerp Six aesthetic and the ongoing success of Belgian fashion on the global stage. Her pioneering spirit and commitment to artistic integrity continue to inspire designers worldwide.
