The New Antwerp-Based Fashion House Marks Its First Public Chapter With Imagery by Willy Vanderperre and Backing From We Are One World
Olivier Theyskens will unveil the first chapter of his new fashion venture, Boloria, on July 5 ahead of Paris Couture Week, introducing an Antwerp-based house shaped by the designer’s romantic vision, technical precision and distinctly Belgian sensibility.
First announced last November, Boloria is backed by Belgian entertainment group We Are One World, the company behind the Tomorrowland electronic music festivals. The project marks what the house describes as the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on “multifaceted creative endeavors.”
Ahead of its debut collection, Boloria has introduced a black-and-white visual identity created by photographer Willy Vanderperre, offering an early glimpse into the house’s aesthetic language. The imagery, described by the brand as “anticipatory and allusive,” hints at a tailored and emotionally charged direction with touches of deconstruction that reflect Theyskens’ enduring approach to fashion.
Founded in Antwerp, Boloria positions itself around values of “sensitivity, integrity, emotional resonance” — qualities that have defined Theyskens’ work throughout a career spanning nearly three decades. Born in Brussels, the designer first emerged as one of fashion’s most celebrated young talents in the late 1990s after Madonna wore one of his designs to the 1998 Academy Awards. He later went on to lead Rochas, where his romantic and highly crafted silhouettes earned critical acclaim, before taking Creative Director roles at Nina Ricci in Paris and Theory in New York.
Alongside his work at major houses, Theyskens has continued to develop his own label, becoming known for a darkly poetic aesthetic rooted in couture-level construction and fluid femininity. His influence has extended across generations of designers, while his creations have entered the collections of major museums worldwide. In 2017, Antwerp’s MoMu staged the retrospective She Walks In Beauty, dedicated to his work and career.
More recently, Theyskens collaborated with French singer Mylène Farmer on costumes for her 2024 “Nevermore” tour, further underscoring his continued presence across fashion and performance culture.
The launch of Boloria also expands We Are One World’s growing ambitions beyond music and into lifestyle and fashion. Through Tomorrowland, the company has developed collaborations spanning fragrances, interiors and apparel, working with partners including Serax, Baobab Collection and Sarda.
Boloria’s first collection will be revealed in Paris on the eve of Couture Week, opening a new chapter for Theyskens while reinforcing Antwerp’s enduring influence on global fashion.