Diane Von Furstenberg Supports Her Fellow Belgians

This New York Fashion Week, an intimate brunch was hosted at the New York Times building by Flanders Fashion Institute/Showroom Antwerp to celebrate and promote Belgian designers. Belgium, particularly Antwerp and Brussels, has become well-known for its cutting edge style — and many attribute the small country's confidence to Diane Von Furstenberg.

Von Furstenberg was born in Brussels to Jewish immigrants; her mother was a Greek-born Holocaust survivor. She met a prince at age 18, whom she later married and became a princess herself. Though she no longer carries the title (she and her first husband Prince Egon of Fürstenberg divorced), she has become American royalty in her own right as one of the most prominent, beloved designers in the world and the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Inspired by Furstenberg and the rich, multicultural heritage around them, Belgian designers (including Dries van Noten and Martin Margiela), have become well-respected voices in the fashion industry. Savvy fashion insiders flock to boutiques like Jeffrey New York to pick up interesting new Belgian pieces.

DVF took time out of her busy schedule — she had a runway show to put on herself — to visit with the young designers. She combed through each of their collections and gave the speech below in support of their work.

"My shop and my office is right across the street from Jeffrey, so I will be checking on your progress," she said. Check out some of the hot new Belgian designs below!

This necklace from the Avalon collection by Marc-Philippe Coudeyre is inspired by armor, calling forth images of the Knights of the Round Table.

Designer Anke Loh uses actual concrete in her jewelry.

Hybrid swimming suits like these were shown in many colors by Lenny Leleu.

Photos and video by Annie Scott.