Fashion student Conor Turley designs queer capsule collection with Essentiel Antwerp

After working with the now graduated Paula Van Dyck, the Belgian fashion label Essentiel Antwerp is collaborating again with the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. The second collection is by third year student Conor Turley.

Together with the Essentiel Antwerp design team, Turley redesigned silhouettes from his previous collection. These were inspired by the Roaring Twenties and Berlin nightlife. Specifically, he was referring to a documentary about a queer community in Germany in the 1920s. The capsule collection includes a bomber jacket, dress, shirt and skirt. The handwriting of Essentiel Antwerp is clearly visible.

During the Academy’s annual graduation fashion show, Essentiel traditionally awards a prize to an outstanding talent. The aim is to provide start-up help. This year the award went to Turley. “It’s about encouraging wild ideas and giving young designers a platform to shine,” says creative director and co-founder of Essentiel Antwerp Inge Onsea. “We believe in the power of mentorship. Supporting new talent like Conor keeps our world unexpected and full of surprises.”

For example, Turley received support in selecting materials and switching from hand-made to machine-made production, in the design of its co-branding label, in the campaign shoot, in the product launch and in the window design.

The capsule collection from Essentiel Antwerp and the Antwerp fashion department with Conor Turley is available from December 4th. It is sold via the online shop and in the Essentiel branch on Huidevettersstraat in Antwerp.