The Six - Reiner Holzemer

Forty years ago, six young fashion designers from Antwerp conquered the international runways and permanently transformed the world of fashion. Through their avant-garde designs, Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee placed Belgium at the forefront of the international fashion scene.

They soon became known as The Antwerp Six, a label that, despite their differing visions, united them into a mythical collective. But was this group identity a reality, or mainly a construct created by the outside world?

In The Six, they share their personal stories, their vision of fashion, the impact of their friendship, and the enduring influence they have had around the world.

Reiner Holzemer has been working as a documentary film director since 1983. The portraits of internationally renowned artists, especially from the fields of photography and fashion, are the focus of his work to date. His films Dries (2016) about fashion designer Dries Van Noten, and Martin Margiela - In His Own Words (2019) have been screened at film festivals worldwide. In his most recent documentary (2026) he explores the cultural significance of the Leica camera and its lasting impact on visual history.