Accessory Designer
of the Year 2026
— BERNADETTE
Mother-daughter duo Bernadette and Charlotte De Geyter founded Antwerp-based label BERNADETTE, building a distinctive universe around colour, femininity and modern luxury. Known for its rich archive of hand-drawn prints and its blend of vintage references with a contemporary sensibility, the brand has gradually expanded beyond ready-to-wear into a broader lifestyle offering. Today, the BERNADETTE world also encompasses accessories, shoes, homeware and tableware, while retaining the strong visual identity at the heart of the label. The recent launch of its accessories line marks another step in that evolution and quickly attracted the attention of both buyers and press. Alongside the expansion of its product range, BERNADETTE continues to grow its retail presence and strengthen its international recognition, further establishing the Antwerp label as a fully fledged lifestyle brand.
Picture © Zeb Daemen
— Dries Criel
Belgian jewellery designer Dries Criel founded his eponymous label with a vision rooted in the relationship between jewellery and the body. Inspired by movement – in dance as well as through space – his work is defined by sculptural forms, architectural clarity and a refined tension between strength and sensuality. Combining traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary visual language, Criel pays close attention to proportion, material and detail, creating pieces that have a distinct presence while remaining intimately connected to the wearer. In 2025, the designer reached several new milestones. He unveiled his first high jewellery collection in Paris and opened The Vault, his first showroom and creative space in Antwerp. At the same time, the label made significant inroads into the US market, further expanding the international reach of Criel’s singular approach to contemporary Belgian jewellery.
Picture © Mutant
— A.F.Vandevorst
Since founding A.F. Vandevorst in 1997, An Vandevorst and Filip Arickx have established themselves as one of the most distinctive duos in Belgian fashion. Known for deeply personal and conceptual collections, they developed a visual language that has left a lasting mark on Belgian fashion. Although AF Vandevorst eventually paused its runway activities, the duo continued to develop the label’s product offering and preserve the designs that have become part of its identity. That legacy recently took centre stage with the return of the iconic X010 boots. Brought back by popular demand from long-standing stockists, their reissue introduces one of AF Vandevorst’s signature designs to a new chapter. At the same time, it demonstrates how the label continues to draw on its own heritage, transforming an archive icon into a contemporary product while reinforcing its enduring cultural and commercial relevance.
@afvandevorst
afvandevorst.com