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Dirk BikkembergsBelgian fashion shoe and clothing designer
Date of Birth: 02.01.1959
Country:  Belgium |
Biography of Dirk Bikkembergs
Belgian fashion designer of footwear and clothingDirk Bikkembergs was born in Bonn, Germany in 1959. After finishing school, Dirk initially planned to study law and jurisprudence, but he quickly changed his mind and enrolled in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium. It was there in Belgium that the young designer gained his first experience in the fashion industry. By the early 1980s, Dirk was already part of the group of prominent Antwerp fashion designers known as "The Six".
In 1985, Dirk received the prestigious Golden Spindle award for Best Young Designer. The following year, he introduced his first men's footwear collection, which featured military-inspired details such as leather inserts and durable double seams. Soon after, he launched his brand "Dirk Bikkembergs Man" and expanded his collection to include men's clothing. In 1988, he showcased a full summer collection in Paris, predominantly featuring knitted garments.
Dirk ventured into women's fashion in the early 1990s, with a focus on showcasing "feminine masculinity" through robust fabrics, long coats, and trench coats. Despite the masculine influence, his designs exuded femininity. The military-style aesthetic that Dirk embraces is said to have been influenced by his father, who served in the Royal Army.
In the year 2000, Dirk fulfilled his long-standing dream by launching his denim collection, "Bikkembergs Jeans and Streetwear" (Red label). The same year, he received the "Espirit du Siecle" award from Moët et Chandon.
Since 2003, Dirk has been the official designer for the Italian football club Internazionale, creating sportswear that flawlessly combines fashion and athleticism. He successfully highlighted the concept of "sporty chic" and brought attention to the beauty of the athletic body. In 2007, the footballers themselves presented an extravagant collection of underwear called "Bikkembergs Underwear". That same year, Dirk was named the "Businessman of the Year" by Men's Health and received the "Best Leisure Brand" award.
Dirk's diverse design interests, ranging from military-inspired styles to sportswear, keep the fashion industry closely watching his projects. His portfolio includes everyday wear, leisure wear, sportswear (including designer football boots), underwear, knitted garments, and denim. The underlying motif in all his designs is masculine erotic brutality. In interviews, Dirk often expresses his love for simple white t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers, stating that when he first started in fashion, his favorite items were white t-shirts, Converse All Stars sneakers, and Levi's 501 jeans. He promised himself that he would only work with denim when he could create something that wouldn't be ashamed to be seen next to Levi's.
Dirk is famously quoted as saying, "Fashion is my wife; we had a wedding."
