Superficiality as self-empowerment
For Van Dyck, her final collection at the Royal Academy began with self-reflection on the role make-up routines had in her life, seemingly superficial, but in fact an important self-empowerment act. “Superficiality is often received as something shallow or empty, but I wanted to use it as an empowerment tool for women,” Van Dyck noted. “This collection examines how superficiality can become an act of self-preservation and an emotional armor… It was also a very personal project this year, more personal than the previous ones.”
“All the fabric manipulations, the fringes, and everything is cut by hand to represent this beauty routine, almost as a meditation for myself,” said Van Dyck. The collection is a masterful exercise in sculptural and dynamic silhouettes. Feathers, latex, leather, and metal, Van Dyck uses to balance seduction and edge with protectiveness and sensuality. The silhouettes reflect their defensive nature, yet feel confident and almost wildly dangerous.
