Belgian designer's autumn-winter collections inspired by Japanese art

Christian Wijnants has established himself as an up and coming force in the fashion industry. The Antwerp-based designer, famed for his knitwear, was awarded the prestigious International Woolmark Prize last year, and the offers have since been pouring in.

On top of developing womenswear collections for his own eponymous label, Wijnants has been working together with Chinese concept fashion brand EQ:IQ. What began as a single-season capsule collection has turned into a full-blown collaboration.

"When they approached me in Paris three years ago, we decided to start off small. Things grew bigger and bigger, and now I come to Hong Kong every three or four months," he says.

EQ:IQ stores carry both the partnered collection and Wijnants' own label, and at the presentation of the two autumn-winter collections in Hong Kong last week, Wijnants revealed that the inspiration for both came from the Japanese artist Tsuguharu Foujita.

Known for his bowl haircut, toothbrush moustache and a love of cats and birds as much as for his art, Foujita's influence can be seen all over these collections.

"I very much like Foujita's poetic sense, his very sensitive, very subtle approach and his use of soft colours," says Wijnants.

Foujita's fondness for animals is reflected in Wijnants' use of paw prints, faux fur and illustrations inspired by cats and dogs.