US fashion retailer honours the Antwerp Six

American fashion retailer Opening Ceremony is ‘all about Belgium’ this year, writes Vogue’s Sarah Karmali. The brand has chosen the country as its focus for 2013-2014 and will launch a dedicated collection featuring collaborations with both emerging and established Belgian designers - to introduce them to a wider international audience. ‘Opening Ceremony: USA vs Belgium’ will pay tribute to the original ‘Antwerp Six’ (a group of six ground-breaking designers who graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in the early Eighties - including Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten); as well as celebrating other names including Raf Simons, Christian Wijnants, Cédric Charliet and Véronique Leroy. The assortment will also feature pieces from recent graduates of the academy - which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its fashion department this year. "Belgian fashion mania is hitting Opening Ceremony," said the brand's founders, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim. "It has been especially exciting to put together this yearly focus because we have the icons and the new masters of Belgium fashion, as well as the fresh young talents all in store." The Opening Ceremony: USA vs Belgium will be available to buy in Opening Ceremony stores worldwide as well as online at openingceremony.us.