If I were forced to edit my favorite designers to a top three it would be extremely difficult but they would be Belgian designer RAF SIMONS (for JIL SANDER & RAF SIMONS), Japanese designer REI KAWAKUBO (Comme des Garcons) and American but recently French designer RICK OWENS.

Now right after those three proceed the rest of my favorites and they’re all BELGIAN like RAF. I’m such a Belgian designer devotee and feel like a NKOTB fan when I see their collections. These illustrious Belgians are: KRIS VAN ASSCHE (DIOR HOMME & KRIS VAN ASSCHE), DRIES VAN NOTEN, MARTIN MARGIELA (even if he has left his namesake brand) and ANN DEMEULEMEESTER. They are brilliant and the clothes they create excite me. Their designs are wearable and novel.

I find it compelling that Belgium has produced such individually gifted designers who’s each unique talent has impacted the fashion world. Is it in the water? Should I be drinking water from a well in Belgium to accelerate genius? I’ll start with Chimay and pommes frites.

(photos via style.com)