If you love fashion and follow it today, you likely know about Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Demna Gvasalia, Ann Demeulemeester, and Haider Ackermann. These are just some of the most prolific designers who are or have worked in the industry. Beyond their prominence, there's another thing that these iconic designers have in common—the
Royal Academy of Arts. Located in the beautiful Belgian city of Antwerp, this is undoubtedly one of the best fashion schools in the world. Beyond its notable alumni, the school is a great training ground for creatives who want to pursue a career in fashion.
Source: Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Facebook Page
History of The Royal Academy of Fine Arts
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts is perhaps one of the oldest art and
fashion schools in the world. David Teniers the Younger, painter to the Archduke Leopold Wilhelm & Don Juan of Austria, founded the academy in 1663. But it was only in the 19th century that the Royal Academy of Fine Arts transformed into an internationally acclaimed educational institution. Around this time, the likes of Vincent Van Gogh and Henry Van de Velde enrolled here, though the former only spent a short time before leaving for France. And in the late 20th century, specifically around the ‘80s and '90s, graduate designers known as the “Antwerp Six” elevated the school's acclaim within the fashion industry.
What Does The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Look Like?
The academy's stark white Neoclassical entrance gate—designed by Belgian architect Pierre Bourla—is perhaps the school's most iconic part. It captures the grandeur and artistry behind the school's long history and extensive artistry. Upon entering it, you'll eventually see that the academy's campus is made up of equally historic buildings, each grander than the next. The museum-like halls further stress the “fine arts” aspect of the school, even more so since they all house studios, ateliers, and more where students create their art. At the same time, it also has the standard facilities you'd usually find in any other school, especially
European fashion schools.
Source: Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Facebook Page
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Student Body
From painters like Vincent Van Gogh to the “Antwerp Six” fashion designers, you'd think the Royal Academy of Fine Arts would be as big as the
top universities in London, for example. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. Today, the school only welcomes about 600 enrollees per year, and that includes returning students who have yet to graduate. This relatively small student body, even for an art school, is a testament to how exclusive the school is. It may draw countless fashion aspirants to learn in the same school that Martin Margiela studied, but they have to work hard just to get in!
Royal Academy of Fine Arts Best Programs and Courses
Unsurprisingly, the academy's fashion design programs are among its most popular. The school offers both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree course, allowing a myriad of students the chance to study here no matter their age. Both serve as a great training ground for aspiring designers, teaching them technical skills and providing vital information to take the industry by storm. At the same time, as proven by its most notable fashion alumni, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts encourages its students to go above and beyond in exploring their creativity too.
Source: Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Facebook Page
Royal Academy of Fine Arts Prerequisites
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts's prerequisites are more or less the same as any other
prominent school in Antwerp. For the Bachelor's Degree programs, you need to submit your secondary education diploma and pass the artistic entrance exam. For the Master's Degree programs, you'll need at least a Bachelor's Degree in any related field and a language certificate that proves you are proficient in the English language. Moreover, it'll help if you present a well-curated portfolio of your work. Once you're selected, the school will conduct an online interview to get to know you more. This will decide whether they'll accept you or not.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts?
Even with all its prestige, Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts is surprisingly more affordable compared to other fashion schools out there. This is because the tuition is already subsidized, even for foreign, non-EU students. This makes the tuition fee only about €238.00 per year for EU students and €967.00 per year for international students. Additionally, you'll also have to pay a €25.00 administration fee upon enrolling for the new school year. These are, however, on top of the costs you'll have to pay for your materials and the
living costs in Antwerp.
Source: Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Facebook Page
Where is The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp?
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts is located at Blindestraat 35 in Antwerp. The city itself, while a fairly big metropolis, is fairly peaceful. Practically all of the
neighborhoods in Antwerp are far quieter compared to even the underrated districts in other, major cities in Europe. So as a whole, you can live a relatively peaceful life here. Though it’d be best if you live near the school, you can practically choose any district and you'll find it a fairly safe place to stay. It helps that the crime rates in Antwerp range from moderate to low.
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Famous Graduates
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts's fashion alumni reads like a who's who of Europe's most prolific designers. The iconic “Antwerp Six,” (Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, and Marina Yee) for example, gave the school a new level of acclaim when they took the industry by storm in the late 1980s. But even before them, the elusive Martin Margiela also graduated from here. He joins the likes of Miuccia Prada in being one of the most influential fashion designers who started in the late 20th century. And though he's not in fashion, it's also worth mentioning that the legendary Vincent Van Gogh also studied here for a bit.
Source: Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Facebook Page
From Martin Margiela and Dries Van Noten to Demna Gvasalia and Haider Ackermann, Anterp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts has produced some of the best designers out there. Though it's not in a fashion capital, this is still one of the best fashion schools in the world.
