IDEA Books present Belgique: Antwerp 6 and Beyond

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From Isolated Heroes by Raf Simon and David Sims, published
From Isolated Heroes by Raf Simon and David Sims, publishedCourtesy of IDEA Books

An exclusive look at IDEA Book's curated selection of books, launching this week

Who? One of our favourite SUPER booksellers, David Owen and Angela Hill (IDEA Books) are releasing a very special selection of books at their space in the basement of Dover Street Market London later this week.

"The best collection of Belgian fashion books and magazines ever offered for sale"

What? Martin Margiela to Raf Simons by way of the Antwerp Six. IDEA Books present Belgique – the best collection of Belgian fashion books and magazines ever offered for sale.

Why? The emergence of the Belgian fashion designer began with Martin Margiela, who graduated from the Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1979, going on to assist Jean Paul Gaultier, before founding his own label in 1989. Graduating from the same school in the following two years were Walter van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee AKA The Antwerp Six. In 1986, the six designers rented a truck, drove to London Fashion Week and announced their arrival. Raf Simons interned for Walter van Beirendonck in the early nineties and saw his first show in Paris in 1995 – Kate Moss modelling in the Margiela all white collections. Kris van Assche, Veronique Branquinho and Olvier Theyskens are all Belgian too.

IDEA Books' Belgique collection represents all of the key Belgian designers in monographs of group overviews. The collection is particularly strong on books on or by Martin Margiela and Raf Simons. Assembled over six months, Belgique includes two copies of the super rare La Maison Martin Margiela: (9/4/1615) book and four copies of Raf Simons’ iconic Isolated Heroes.

Here, AnOther presents an exclusive preview.

Belgique launches at Dover Street Market London on January 16.