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Anne Kurris

@anne.kurris

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Antwerp based graphic designer. Founder of the former childrens’ brand Anne Kurris.

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Dries Van Noten — Antwerp Cultural Heritage T-Shirts ‘93

In 1993, Antwerp was named European Capital of Culture. While the city celebrated its cultural identity, Dries Van Noten decided to question what was left of it.

A series of T-shirts that went far beyond fashion. A silent protest against the destruction of Antwerp’s architectural heritage and its questionable cultural policies. A subtle attack on “Antwerpen ‘93, Culturele Hoofdstad van Europa”.

The idea originated in 1989, when Van Noten printed the invitation for the opening of his new store, Het Modepaleis, onto a T-shirt. What began as a single shirt developed into a series dedicated to Antwerp’s disappearing architectural heritage.

Together with graphic designer @anne.kurris ,Van Noten created designs featuring the Hippodrome, the Vlaamse Schouwburg, the Tolhuis and the Entrepot. Combining archival photographs, illustrations and historical typography.

From the Hippodrome, demolished in 1972, to the Tolhuis, featuring a 1977 photograph of protesters opposing its demolition. The series even addressed the Meir and the ugly plastic chairs popping up on every terrace. A criticism not only of what Antwerp had lost, but also of what had replaced it.

Ten designs, each limited to just 100 pieces.
On the back, a rather uncomfortable question:

“ANTWERPEN KULTUUR STAD?”

Van Noten questioned why historical buildings had to disappear for contemporary architecture. Pointing towards Barcelona, where old and new could coexist.

Interestingly, his own name was almost invisible on the shirts. As he explained:
“You have to look very carefully before you can even see my name on the shirts.”

Long before fashion became obsessed with archival references, Van Noten was already using clothing to preserve collective memory.

And quite a punk move from Dries. Using fashion not just to dress people, but to question the destruction of the beauty of the city he loves.

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Dries Van Noten — Het Modepaleis Opening T-Shirt SS’89

In 1989, Dries Van Noten opened his first flagship store, Het Modepaleis, on the corner of Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat in Antwerp.

However, it wasn't actually his first shop. In 1985, Dries had already opened a small boutique in Antwerp's then-iconic Nieuwe Gaanderij, a shopping arcade that also housed boutiques by Cocodrillo, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene and several other names connected to Antwerp's emerging fashion scene.

At the time, Nationalestraat was far from the fashion destination it would later become. Originally built in 1882, although the building itself bears the date 1881, it was designed by architect Louis Ravet for Abraham Arts as a clothing store. After decades of flourishing business, renovations and expansions, the building eventually stood empty for years. Purchasing it was considered a rather risky move.

Working with architectural firm Driesen Meersman Thomaes, Van Noten restored the historic building, preserving much of its original character. Rather than reinventing the space, he embraced its history, even retaining the name Het Modepaleis.

To celebrate the opening, a T-shirt was designed by @anne.kurris , an Antwerp-based graphic designer and collaborator of Dries Van Noten. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts around the same period, Kurris became known for her distinctive graphic language. Her work extended beyond clothing to invitations, lookbooks and printed matter for designers including Martin Margiela, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene and Jean Paul Gaultier.

What seemed like a risky decision in 1989 eventually became an important moment in Antwerp’s fashion history. Het Modepaleis helped transform the neighbourhood into a centre for Belgian fashion, becoming one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

A small piece of Antwerp fashion history, commemorating a store that would become a landmark for both the city and Dries Van Noten’s career.

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Loved the AlainPaul fashion show. ❤️. @alainpaul @anne.kurris

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@anne.kurris Re-edition of her 1987-1988 Antwerp six t-shirts in black & white, an honour to be able to exclusively present & sell this.
Thanks Anne.
Power to Antwerp !

Available with us at @labelsinc & @momuantwerp
Available in M & L.

Photographs Labels inc : @photographyyume

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Still in love with this beautiful invitation from Dirk Van Saene his Winter 1989/90 collection!
Kristina De Coninck photographed by the legendary Ronald Stoops, make up by Inge Grognard & graphic design by Anne Kurris. Can it get any better?

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When you love what you do.

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Antwerp Six – Zes groeten uit Antwerpen ‘87

The “Antwerp Six” were never defined by one unified SS88 collection. Each designer presented their own Spring/Summer 1988 vision following Antwerp’s explosive breakthrough in London between 1986–87. What made 1988 important wasn’t a singular runway moment, but the point where Antwerp stopped being an underground Belgian phenomenon and became internationally mythologized.

This shirt was printed in 1987 for the Summer 1988 season. It became a document of a city in transition. Printed on a Belgian blank and designed by @anne.kurris the piece positioned Antwerp as something beyond a harbor city framing it instead as an emerging underground fashion capital.

The shirt features archival tags from all six designers on the sleeve Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee. Alongside the Antwerp city crest and a map printed on the back. But this wasn’t an ordinary map. It charted the cultural hotspots that defined Antwerp’s creative ecosystem at the time.

Figures like @geertbruloot , founder of Louis, Cocodrillo, and Curator of many, were among the first in Belgium to truly believe in Antwerp as an international fashion capital, helping push its energy onto the global stage.

The SS88 presentations in Antwerp and London cemented, Antwerp as a legitimate fashion capital. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp as a true incubator of talent.
At the time, critics viewed the Antwerp designers as an antidote to the excess and glamour of the 1980s. Their work felt intellectual, raw, independent, and culturally aware rather than overtly luxurious.

This shirt captures the exact moment Antwerp stopped looking inward and the rest of the world finally started looking back. An item that shows the true cultural power of a simple T-shirt. Not just a souvenir from SS88, but a physical map of a movement that permanently changed contemporary fashion.

To celebrate 40 years of the Antwerp Six, @momuantwerp is currently hosting “The Antwerp Six” exhibition from March 28, 2026 until January 17, 2027 the first major exhibition ever dedicated entirely to all six designers.

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Lovely to see you in person @anne.kurris ❤️ We had a great chat about fashion, design and the creativity in future generations. We have admired her works since I was a fashion student, when I discovered Belgian designers!! (By reading @minawakatski fashion writings in Japanese magazines and UK fashion magazines such as @i_d and @thefacemagazine ) ❤️ Anne has been doing so many graphic design works for Antwerp designers. Lots of her design works are in #antwerp6 exhibition. Still, very contemporary & inspiring!! ✨✨✨
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Cafe at @momuantwerp ☕☕☕☕
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#fashion #graphics #ファッションの歴史 #fashionhistory

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The iconic t-shirt of the 6, designed by @anne.kurris 1987 from our archive featuring the old "og" labels of the six, a Antwerp fashion map & typical Antwerp symbolism.

"Not for sale, from our archive".

The six exhibition is still ongoing in the @momuantwerp !!!

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1989 Dries Van Noten Het Modepaleis Store Opening Shirt

#driesvannoten

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What the F*%^ is actually inside Enfnts Terribles magazine ISSUE 02? #EnfntsTerribles

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In April, we invite you to explore the legacy and influence of the Antwerp Six, both inside the exhibition and beyond.⁠
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We have exciting news: MoMu has been officially approved by kids, earning us this year’s blue @museumpassmusees badge! This month, we’re hosting Family Sundays and holiday workshops for all ages.⁠
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And there’s more: MoMu is open on Easter Monday, 6 April, and will stay open late on Thursdays, 9 and 16 April for those who prefer to linger after hours.⁠
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Plan your visit via the link in our bio.⁠
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—⁠ ⁠
[1] The Antwerp Six, 1988, published in Elle US May 1988 © Photo: @thierrybouet [2][3][5][6][8] @jeroenbroeckx [4] @boythecollector [7] @kellyfober [9] @wout.vloeberghs @orianeverstraeten_ @nathaliedembinski @jacksonghale [11] @roenlommelen

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