The Power Of Escapism

Meryll Rogge cut her teeth at fashion greats like Marc Jacobs, which shaped her vision for her own label, as seen in her latest SS ’21 collection that focuses on the theme of “escape”.

- Debby Kwong

Not everyone would take a leap of faith and quit school to start their dream job, but Meryll Rogge did just that. The Belgian designer, who studied at the prestigious Antwerp Royal Academy of Fashion, left school when she got hired at Marc Jacobs in 2008. Rogge, who credits landing that job with having a good foundation in fashion, says a personal highlight was meeting Jacobs for the first time in August that year.

“The team was very small, so we did absolutely everything from the early research, fabric development, trim buying, embroidery development, design and fittings, to the show fittings. The way garments are made is touching perfection,” says the 35-year-old.

After seven years with the American label, she landed at another major label, Dries Van Noten, where she learnt to think of a brand as a whole. “We were involved in everything concerning garments, as well as show ideas, music, hair and makeup, and casting. I also learnt to think about the comfort of a woman, what will she like to wear, how will she wear it,” shares Rogge. Another career highlight was being part of Dries Van Noten’s 100th show, and having worked a few weeks on the Lacroix x Dries SS ’20 show.