Professional
of the Year 2024
WINNER
— Daniel Henry
For fifteen years, figure skating was Doornik-based textile designer and plastic artist Daniel Henry’s first form of expression. Gala costumes encouraged an interest in textiles and led Henry towards the textile creation department at La Cambre, where he graduated from in 2001. Since then, he has consulted for the textile industry, working as a researcher, designer and artistic director in fields ranging from furnishing textiles to wall coverings and the car industry. In fashion, clients have included Rabanne, Nina Ricci, Y-3 and Sébastien Meunier. Recent highlights include his ongoing work for Maison Margiela by John Galliano and the recently unveiled canopy in the wedding hall of the Brussels town hall.
Picture © Daniel Henry for Maison Margiela
— Aya Noël
Now a freelance fashion journalist, Aya Noël is the former online and print editor of London-based fashion education platform 1 Granary. Co-curating a festival on the re-invention of fashion at MAD Brussels in 2021, she has become one the industry’s most remarkable young voices on today’s challenges. Last year, she was the driving force behind 1 Granary’s Issue 7 This Is Not About You(th), collecting over 100 anonymous interviews with professionals on the state of the fashion industry and topics like ageism, gender equality and diversity. She is currently working on an exhibition on the 40th anniversary of Stijl, the renowned Brussels fashion store run by her mother Sonja Noël.
Picture © Rein De Wilde
— Ruth Van Soom & Dries Vriesacker / ENFNTS TERRIBLES
In 2016, broad interests and a rebellious spirit inspired fashion bloggers and social media experts Ruth Van Soom and Dries Vriesacker to join forces and launch ENFNTS TERRIBLES. Since then, the Antwerp-based online magazine and platform is known for its avant-garde approach to fashion, culture and lifestyle, bold editorial choices and edgy aesthetic. Under the leadership of Van Soom and Vriesacker, ENFNTS TERRIBLES covers topics as diverse as fashion trends, art and social issues and has established itself as a source of information and inspiration amongst trendsetters and tastemakers.
— Baloji
Poet, songwriter, rapper, art director, costume designer, actor and filmmaker: the work of multidisciplinary artist Baloji defies categorization. A co-founder of hiphop collective Starflam, Baloji went solo on the album Hotel Impala in 2007. After his fourth album 137 Kaniama in 2018, he turned towards directing short films and acting and started working on his first feature-length film Augure, which took home the New Voice Prize at last year’s Cannes film festival. Increasingly leaving his mark on fashion, Baloji curated the A/part parcours in Antwerp in 2021, directed short films for LVMH and worked for the likes of Miuccia Prada, Virgil Abloh, Jacquemus and Burberry. Last year, an exhibition at Antwerp’s MoMu further highlighted his role as a relentless visual storyteller.
Picture © Omen/ Wrong Men
— Christophe Coppens
Former drama student Christophe Coppens was just 21 years old when he embarked on a career as an accessory designer. For more than two decades, his clientele included royalty and pop stars such as Rihanna, Grace Jones and Róisin Murphy. Since closing down his brand in 2012, he has focused on his work as a multidisciplinary artist, combining his own art practice with projects such as the development of a kids trail for the KMSKA in Antwerp and the artistic direction of Brussels-based fashion house Natan for the jubilee year in 2023. Further proof of his multi-faceted creativity is found in his work as an opera director at La Monnaie/De Munt, including productions such as Foxie! The Cunning Little Vixen (2017), Norma (2021) and this year’s Turandot, all of which with set and costume design by Coppens himself.