Fashion Unleashed: Experience the Beating Heart of Fashion in Antwerp
Fashion Unleashed Antwerp: Inclusive & Sensory-Friendly Fashion
Antwerp breathes fashion. On 3 February, that energy comes together at Fashion Unleashed—a fashion event in Antwerp where startups, established brands, and emerging designers meet. It’s an evening defined by honest stories, sharp ideas, and the courage to build differently.This event celebrates the 2026 edition of the Start it Fashion accelerator programme and brings the entire fashion ecosystem together in one place. What is Fashion Unleashed? Fashion Unleashed is an evening for anyone who sees fashion as more than aesthetics. Supported by the City of Antwerp, the event centres on connection, innovation, and the future of fashion as a system—where creativity, responsibility, and long-term vision come together. Keynote: Honest Entrepreneurship in Fashion The international keynote is delivered by Romain Liot, co-founder and former COO of Adore Me.His talk isn’t about slogans—it’s about discipline, focus, and the courage to design within constraints. A grounded perspective on building a fashion business today with both ambition and patience. Core message of the evening: Be brave. Mentors & Voices from the Industry Alongside the keynote, you’ll hear insights from mentors in the programme, including: Tom Depoortere, Creative Director at Essentiel Antwerp Felix Bevernage, representative for Nathalie Vleeschouwer Startup Booths & Meaningful Encounters Throughout the evening, you can explore a range of startup booths—from innovative materials to fresh fashion labels. Blusss will also be present. Blusss at Fashion Unleashed Founder An Luyten will be there with a stand showcasing the latest Blusss sensory solutions. A calm space to connect, ask questions, and find inspiration—at your own pace. Sensory-Friendly Fashion: Where Inclusion Becomes Felt Fashion innovation doesn’t only live in new materials or business models. Sometimes, it begins in the body. In how clothing feels against the skin. In what it allows—or prevents—someone from doing. That’s where Blusss fits into the broader conversation at Fashion Unleashed. Based in Antwerp, Blusss designs sensory-friendly, inclusive clothing for children and adults who experience sensory sensitivity, chronic stress, or nervous system overload. The brand approaches fashion not as a trend, but as a form of physical support—something that helps the body feel safer and more regulated. From Fashion Capital to Sensory Awareness Antwerp has long been known as a global fashion city—home to conceptual design, strong silhouettes, and bold creative voices. What’s emerging now is a quieter evolution: fashion that listens to the nervous system. Blusss represents this shift. Instead of asking “How does this look?”, the starting question is:“How does this feel to live in?” That perspective aligns naturally with the values behind Fashion Unleashed: courage, honesty, and designing within real human boundaries. Designed in Antwerp, Rooted in Lived Experience Blusss was founded by An Luyten, whose work grew from personal experience with sensory sensitivity. Rather than creating fashion that pushes bodies to adapt, Blusss designs garments that adapt to the body. Key principles behind Blusss clothing include: Soft, non-irritating materials Pressure and weight used intentionally to support regulation Minimal seams and tags A calm aesthetic that doesn’t overstimulate This approach places Blusss at the intersection of inclusive fashion, sensory design, and well-being-led innovation—a space that’s increasingly relevant within the European fashion landscape. Why Sensory-Inclusive Clothing Belongs in the Fashion Conversation Sensory sensitivity affects far more people than is often acknowledged—children, adults, neurodivergent individuals, people recovering from burnout, or those living with chronic stress. By making sensory needs visible within a fashion context, brands like Blusss expand the definition of inclusivity. Not as a label or a campaign, but as a design responsibility. At events like Fashion Unleashed, this perspective matters. Because the future of fashion isn’t only about speed or scale—it’s about care, intention, and human fit.
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