The Belgian fashion industry mourns the loss of Marina Yee, a prominent member of the renowned Antwerp Six. Yee passed away on November 1, 2023, at the age of 67 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her death was announced by the MoMu Antwerp fashion museum, which acknowledged her profound impact on both local and global fashion scenes.
Marina Yee’s Early Life and Education
Born in 1958 in Antwerp, Marina Yee became a significant figure in the world of fashion. She studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, alongside notable designers such as Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, and Walter Van Beirendonck. This group would later become known as the Antwerp Six, a name that first emerged during the 1986 British Designer Show in London.
The Rise of the Antwerp Six
The Antwerp Six included:
- Ann Demeulemeester
- Dries Van Noten
- Marina Yee
- Walter Van Beirendonck
- Dirk Van Saene
- Dirk Bikkembergs
Following their showcase in London, the group traveled to Paris, where they significantly influenced the fashion landscape. Their innovative designs brought international attention to Belgium’s fashion scene.
Career Highlights
After graduating in 1981, Marina Yee worked with various Belgian brands, including Gruno & Chardin and Bassetti. In 1986, she launched her own label, “Marie.” Although she shifted her focus away from fashion in the 1990s—exploring theater costumes, interior design, and art—she never fully left the creative world.
Teaching and Later Career
Yee transitioned into academia, teaching at institutions such as:
- École Supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc de Tournai
- Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent
- Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
In 2018, she re-entered the fashion industry with the M.Y. Collection, focusing on upcycling designs. The collection gained traction and was relaunched formally in 2022, boasting over 40 stockists worldwide, including notable fashion destinations in New York, Los Angeles, and Beijing.
A Lasting Legacy
Marina Yee’s creative contributions were recognized with a jury prize at the Belgian Fashion Awards in 2024. Her work will be celebrated in a future exhibition dedicated to the Antwerp Six at MoMu Antwerp. Scheduled for 2026, this exhibition will highlight the individual journeys of these influential designers, further cementing Yee’s legacy in the fashion world.
Kaat Debo, the director of MoMu, expressed deep admiration for Yee’s unique vision, stating that her designs were “radically honest and poetic,” rooted in respect for people and materials. Marina Yee’s legacy will undoubtedly resonate through her work at MoMu and beyond.
