Ann Demeulemeester black gladiator wedge sandals with belts over the front (37) — spring 2010

Ann Demeulemeester is a Belgian designer, graduating from the Royal Academy of fine arts in Antwerp.

In 1986, Ann Demeulemeester went to London during fashion week to showcase her collection together with fellow graduates Walter van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee.

From this point on, they would be known as the iconic ‘Antwerp Six’.

Ann Demeulemeester is known for her love of black. Her style draws influence from goth, punk, bohemian and Japanese subcultures. Her collections are often described as dark, funerary, yet poetic and very emotional. In 2000 for example, she designed a collection from a sheer materials, embroidered with quote’s from Patti Smith’s ‘Woolgathering’. Typical Ann Demeulemeester silhouettes are very elongated, decorated with feathers, chains. She is also known for her iconic heavy boots, her triple lace boots and the lace-up gladiator sandals being street style photographers’ favorites.

She left her brand in 2013, meaning that only vintage Ann Demeulemeester clothing is still designed by her.