Emerging Talent
of the Year 2024
WINNER
— Marie Adam-Leenaerdt
Marie Adam-Leenaerdt, a graduate of La Cambre in Brussels, launched her eponymous fashion brand in 2023. Her designs draw inspiration from everyday objects, resulting in timeless clothing that evokes surprise and emotion across generations. Her creations are characterized by strong cuts, precise constructions, and luxurious materials, reflecting a personal and original vision of fashion that transcends trends and borders on art. The designer quickly gained recognition as a Grand Prize finalist for the 2024 Andam Fashion Awards and is also a contender for the prestigious LVMH Prize.
Picture © Alessandro Garofalo
— Eunji Oh
After completing her Master’s degree in Accessories Design at La Cambre, Eunji Oh embarked on a journey that led her to master leather craftsmanship at the Institute of Arts et Métiers in Brussels. Her debut collection, ‘Overweight’, received critical acclaim for its intimate exploration of her relationship with her body, influenced by her Korean heritage and the clash between Korean and Western beauty standards. She won the MAD Graduation and Tremplin Prize and was a finalist in the ITS Contest in Italy. Eunji’s talent was further recognized when she was selected as a finalist for the 39th Festival of Hyères.
— Julie Kegels
MA graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Julie Kegels honed her skills through internships at Meryll Rogge and Alaïa before launching her namesake label in 2024. Her Ready-To-Wear debut collection, ‘50/50’, was showcased at Women’s Fashion Week FW24-25 in Paris. Kegels’ designs blend contemporary elegance with playful innovation, featuring unexpected pairings such as above-the-knee socks with translucent backs and wool skirts with denim accents. Her creative process focuses on exploring fashion’s transformative power, merging elements from past and present to craft a unique, unconventional aesthetic that challenges traditional archetypes.
— Romain Bichot
Romain Bichot, a graduate of La Cambre in Brussels, has joined the womenswear studio at Balenciaga Couture right after his studies. After proving his marks at Couture during his first year, he now also works on Ready-To-Wear collections as a junior designer. This year Romain is participating in the prestigious Festival de Hyères, presenting a new collection in October. Through his work, he intends to question clothing’s archetypes and codes, exploring the limit between object and garment. Influenced by his early experiences in theatre, he explores the narrative and transformative power of clothing, seeing it as both a form of social disguise and self-expression.
Picture © La Cambre Mode(s) & Jorre Janssens
— Gille Peeters
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Gille Peeters founded her jewelry brand, Fragille, in 2020. The brand is celebrated for its distinctive and expressive aesthetic, combining playful shapes with high-quality materials and state-of-the-art craftsmanship. These elements come together in designs that blend refined technical expertise with a unique, organic aesthetic. Fragille appeals to a diverse audience that values an unconventional approach to luxury: timeless, gender-neutral, and nonconformist. Gille Peeters chose to establish her practice in Antwerp’s diamond quarter, bringing a new, youthful energy to the area.