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In November next year, it will be 10 years since Ann Demeulemeester left fashion. An irrevocable decision. She communicated it in a letter, handwritten to no one's surprise. "Dear friends," she headed the letter in her elegant handwriting. And he explained: "A new time has come, both for my personal life and for the Ann Demeulemeester brand. I understand that it is time to go our separate ways." Like the rock band that gets tired and leaves by mutual agreement. Like the couple that breaks up, but maintains the friendship. Something similar. "It was a conscious step, very meditated," says the Belgian designer (Cortrique, 1959). "I started considering it when I turned 50 and realized I was, more or less, halfway through my life. Then I said to myself: 'Is there anything else you want to do? Because this would be the time to think about it: what do you want and how do you want to do it.' I felt like I was stuck on the fashion bullet train, although I couldn't jump off it either. I had a huge responsibility, to the company, to the team, to the workers who could lose their jobs because of my departure, which I was not going to allow. But, searching my heart, it was what had to happen. I love creating, but I wanted to choose other avenues, to be free to try something different. And I had to tell the world clearly and honestly. I couldn't lie, I respect too much those who wear my clothes, the people who support me and the friends I've made over the years.
The creator, a member of the legendary Antwerp Six, the contingent of students of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of...