Igor Dieryck

“Affond,” or “ad fundum” in Dutch, refers to the act of drinking a glass of beer in one go. Ad Fundum is also the name of the collection designed by Igor Dieryck, in which he explores and critiques the customs and traditions associated with hazing. Drawing inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of his native country while incorporating political and geopolitical changes in our societies, he reinterprets the role of the uniform in Belgian folklore. This collection provides an analysis of the culture of student “baptism,” which is still very common in Walloon and Flemish academia, and the excesses that flow from it. Every year, Belgian society is shaken up by cases involving abusive or humiliating behaviour, which may have serious consequences for the victims. Sometimes these excesses are tolerated under the guise of tradition. Where do you draw the line between preserving deeply rooted folklore and ensuring a respectful and safe environment, despite the intoxication that surrounds this period in students’ lives?
In this collection, Igor Dieryck combines elegant evening wear, echoing the classic uniform of the “baptised” student, with more casual outfits inspired by the “difficult aftermath” of a hangover.
The very essence of the collection draws its inspiration from the clothing associated with practices of hazing. It continues the designer’s reflection on the role of the uniform, initiated in his previous collection, Yessir. What meaning does it convey? Is there a way to make the uniform your own, to regain power over your role in society? Ad Fundum, meaning literally “to the bottom” in Latin, is the contrast between the skullcap (the emblematic headgear of students), the strict three-piece suit (worn for various formal ceremonies) and a sweatshirt from the streetwear wardrobe that reflects the reality of these young people’s clothing.
Igor Dieryck
Collection created in collaboration with Métiers d’Art Lesage and Ateliers de Verneuil

Collaboration with Lesage
To enhance his collection, Igor Dieryck turned to the Lesage workshops, renowned for their mastery of haute couture embroidery. Together they created a complex pattern in which yellow and orange beads, enhanced with white touches, may appear abstract at first glance, but reveal a powerful symbolism: that of beer, the emblematic liquid of student culture. He wanted to make beer, and he did, with foam and beads imitating condensation droplets on the glass. This choice illustrates not only the central place of beer in Belgian student life, but also the idea of exalting an everyday object while desacralising the work of haute couture. The artist thumbed his nose at the traditional fashion system, where couture excellence is usually reserved for exceptional pieces. The aim was to give new life to a garment that had once belonged to a student: a vintage, worn-out hoodie, bought for just 15 euros. This contrast, between the ordinary and the sublime, was one of the driving forces underlying the collaboration. This collection, dedicated to Belgian culture and humour, combines the trivial with excellence, the mundane becomes couture thanks to the exceptional craftsmanship of the Lesage workshops.

Collaboration with the Ateliers de Verneuil
Igor Dieryck collaborated with the Ateliers de Verneuil-en-Halatte to create an emblematic piece that embodies both high-quality craftsmanship and a tribute to Belgian culture: a leather shopping bag inspired by the iconic shape of the beer crate. With proportions identical to those of the crate, this collection of leather handbags echoes the Belgian Surrealist readymades, in which everyday objects are diverted from their original function to become works of art. This leather shopping bag transcends its functional nature by adopting the shape and characteristic elements of the beer crate, a commonplace object in everyday life, and by incorporating metal elements that echo the characteristic contours of this familiar object. The handles chosen are highly symbolic, as they are similar to the original, reinforcing the reflection on the transformation of the utilitarian object into a luxury item. The complexity of this shopping bag lies in the apparent simplicity of its design. The minimalist exterior of the bag conceals a complex structure in which the leather oscillates between rigidity and suppleness. This right balance gives the bag a shape that is both stable and supple. It comes in a range of sizes and colours. Some of the shades of leather chosen echo the iconic colours of the Belgian flag. Ready for a drinking session!