Photo by Magdalena Piotrowski
“Let’s be honest: if you like a coat, then you won’t be bothered if it’s for ladies or men, will you?” is what Niels Peeraer asks his interviewerin the latest issue of Show Off #4 by the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts. But if you’re familiar with the collection by the 22-year-old’s graduate of the renowned Antwerp Academy, then this statement won’t come as a surprise.
Photo by Tana Schaechtele
Niels’ men’s fashion is not androgynous, it is feminine. Almost fairytale-like. The young designer sees fashion as a mouthpiece with which to convey his own universe and he experiments with taboos. Each one of his collections is based on visual inspiration.The picture behind his master’s degree work is an Asian boy who eats sweets all the time and dips a lollipop into his coffee. The corresponding dresses (which even include a wedding dress!), skirts and bodysuits are based on the pastel colour palette of cupcakes and donuts. The materials feel soft to the touch. Highlight of the collection is an accessory: a pale pink handbag that Niels designed for the traditional Belgian leather luxury goods label Delvaux.It is reminiscent of a bento box that can be laced up with a linen cloth. For this collaboration Niels made the prototype of the bag himself, before Delvaux produced it in a limited edition this year. The bag, of which only 5 were produced, was available for 3300 euros and was sold out as soon as it was released on 16 June
The world of Niels Peeraer may well be ahead of our time and we remain curious to see what he will inspire, irritate or enchant us with in the future.
