Designer Profile: Jurgi Persoons - Remembrance of Things Past

To invoke the title of Marcel Proust's masterpiece is to invoke a flood of memories about moments that have left some imprint on you. It is also to invoke the things that passed and will probably not return. It is both nostalgic and sad. Such an imprimint was made on me when I first encountered Jurgi Persoon's work. I remember an iconic image of being completely stopped in my tracks while rushing through Barneys racks by clothes of staggering beauty and craftmanship. These clothes were designed by Jurgi Persoons, a young Belgian, who graduated Antwerp Royal Academy in 92.

Jurgi no longer designs. He was driven out of business by economic reasons - his clothes were very expensive because of a significant amount of difficult manual work they required. The "nervous" assymmetrical stitching, highest quality fabrics, such as Dormeuil wool and a large amount of panels that went into each garment demanded a premium. Unfortunately Jurgi could not get the client base required to keep him afloat. Yet, in my mind he remains a genius. I've collected some pictures (thanks to my friend Scott), and would like to share them with you. His pieces are still displayed in the MOMU museum in Antwerp.

"Mirror" presentation - dispensing with traditional catwalks












Multi-layer kilt from the Scotland-inspired collection - A/W 02

















Coat embellished with chiffon - A/W 99

















Skirt from A/W 99 (check out the stitching!) - must brag, wife is a proud owner of that museum piece.

















Sweater detail - best example of the "nervous" stitching














Pant detail














Sweater