A couple of years ago, Van der Steen, together with two other like-minded fashion lovers, founded a non-profit organisation to promote Ghent’s designers. The three of them decided to try to even the playing field a little between Ghent-based designers and creatives who have to compete with the better-known Brussels and Antwerp markets.

“When you graduate from the academy in Ghent, there aren’t many organisations that will help you find a job or a way to show your work to an audience,” she explains. “So we decided to create a means to promote these people.”

Thus begins the story of Fashion Forward, which has been nothing but successful right from the start. Thanks to the efforts of the team, which is now so busy it took on a fourth member, the rest of Belgium has picked up on Ghent’s creativity. “We invite everyone to join us, as long as they have a connection to Ghent,” says Van der Steen. “We don’t use the 100% Ghent logo idly.”

Fashion designers, textile designers, shop owners…all of them can add a preview of their work and their contact details to the database on Fashion Forward’s website, which now holds more than 120 names. But the organisation does more than just compile information; it finds ways to bring them all in touch with possible partners, buyers and consumers.

This weekend, the second edition of Wardrobe will take place in the Hoet-Bekaert Gallery in the centre of Ghent. An extremely popular event last year, this time 15 designers are invited to show their collections to the press and to the public, who get the opportunity to buy what they like. Rather than running from store to store, they’re all here, collections in hand – from skirts to T-shirts to lingerie to bags and accessories.

With that air of casual cool that Ghent exudes, Wardrobe is an original combination of a fashion fair and a market place, with different activities to keep you entertained. On Saturday, photographer Thierry Van Dort, stylist Julie D’Hooge and make-up artist Annelien Debusschere will let you take a peek at a live fashion shoot. Via Fashion Forward’s website, you can register to join a cosy BBQ on Sunday.

But of course the truly enticing part will be the stalls of the participating designers. We can’t wait to discover Elisabeth Leenknecht’s new collection of colourful glass jewellery or Little Miss Y’s whimsical children’s clothes line. Make sure you check out Forêt Féerique as well: we predict a great future for this brand new label (pictured).

www.fashionforward.be