Red Sebastian Designer Dresses Princess Delphine on July 21
Princess Delphine of Belgium will wear a creation by emerging Belgian fashion designer Bert De Coninck for the National Day celebrations on 21 July, blending royal tradition with contemporary fashion in a celebration of homegrown creative talent. The 31-year-old Ghent-based designer, who previously created the stage outfits for Belgium’s Eurovision 2025 contestant Red Sebastian, was personally selected by the princess after she discovered his work at a fashion show last year.
A Royal Discovery
Princess Delphine (58) first encountered De Coninck’s work at a fashion show at the Academy of Sint-Niklaas, where she attended with her daughter and stylist Jody Van Geert. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the princess was immediately struck by his creativity. “There were many good students, but Bert immediately stood out,” she said. “I saw immediately how creative he was. He went much further than just designing clothes. He also brought a story and used a lot of humor.”
De Coninck’s journey to this commission began with a teacher’s recommendation. Stylist Jody Van Geert, who works with both Red Sebastian and Princess Delphine, asked a teacher at the academy for a designer recommendation. That teacher pointed to De Coninck, setting in motion a chain of events that would lead from the Eurovision stage to the royal parade.
From Eurovision to the Royal Palace
Bert De Coninck studied fashion technology and interior design before interning at the Antwerp fashion house of Raf Simons and at the Belgian shoe brand Rombaut in Paris. Seeking more creative expression, he enrolled in the fashion program at the Academy of Sint-Niklaas in 2020, graduating in 2025.
His big break came in May 2025 when he designed the stage outfits for Red Sebastian (Seppe Herreman) for the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. As Marie Claire Belgium reported, De Coninck created a powerful, mysterious podium ensemble that served as a visual extension of Red Sebastian’s song “Strobe Lights.”
A 100% Belgian Team
The design of the National Day outfit remains a closely guarded secret until the military and civilian parade in Brussels on Tuesday, 21 July. However, stylist Jody Van Geert has revealed that the style draws inspiration from David Bowie, with “love and tolerance” as central themes. The outfit is being customized in collaboration with Maison Rubaiyat, an Antwerp artist duo who previously worked with Dolly Parton.
Princess Delphine has emphasized that the entire ensemble is 100% Belgian: Bert De Coninck designed the dress, Elvis Pompilio created the hat, Maison Rubaiyat crafted the gloves, Annelies Timmermans designed the handbag, and Morobé produced the shoes.
A Unique Role in the Royal Family
Unlike her half-siblings — King Philippe, Princess Astrid, and Prince Laurent — Princess Delphine cannot wear a military uniform during the National Day parade. As Wikipedia notes, she was legally recognized as a Princess of Belgium on 1 October 2020 following a landmark paternity case that confirmed King Albert II as her biological father. She first joined the royal family at the National Day celebrations in 2021.
“I can’t wear a military uniform at the parade, like my brothers and sister,” Princess Delphine told Het Laatste Nieuws. “That’s why I really want to show that other, creative side of our country. We have so much incredible talent here! Everything I wear is therefore one hundred percent Belgian.”
Implications for Belgian Fashion
This commission represents a major career breakthrough for Bert De Coninck, placing him alongside a proud tradition of Belgian fashion that includes the “Antwerp Six” and global names like Raf Simons and Dries Van Noten. Dressing a princess for the most-watched royal event of the year will bring significant national and potentially international attention to the young designer.
Princess Delphine’s annual National Day outfit choices have become a tradition in their own right, reinforcing her integration into the royal family and her personal brand as a patron of the arts. The design will be revealed on 21 July, when thousands of spectators in Brussels — and viewers across Belgium and beyond — will see the culmination of this unique collaboration between royalty and emerging creative talent.
What to Watch For
The dress will be unveiled during the military and civilian parade in Brussels on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. Fashion critics and royal watchers alike will be watching closely to see how De Coninck’s signature style — described as expressive, artistic, and inspired by music — translates into a royal occasion. The question remains whether this commission will open international doors for the young designer and whether Princess Delphine will continue her tradition of working with emerging Belgian designers in future years.