Collection: CdA X LARS MERTENS

LARS MERTENS (BE)

ANTWERPFASHIONMASTERS 2026

My introduction to Cecil Beaton began with a single photograph of him wearing a bathrobe. I was immediately drawn to the effortless elegance and playfulness he expressed through clothing. Through my research, I discovered Beaton not only as a photographer and designer, but as someone who transformed self-presentation into an art form.
Inspired by his tailored suits, extravagant parties, use of colour, texture, and embellishment, this collection explores the balance between refinement and playfulness. I wanted to reinterpret classic elegance through my own perspective, creating a wardrobe that feels mature yet expressive.
While researching Beaton, I rediscovered the joy of dressing and the power of fashion as a form of self-expression. This collection celebrates that feeling — a world where elegance, fantasy, and individuality come together.