NIGHTFALL

NIGHTFALL is a new online shop and digital platform that focuses on the previously non-existent intersection of fashion and erotica.

NIGHTFALL was co-founded by Filip Arickx (A.F. Vandevorst) out of a passion for beauty, fashion and innovation in the world of design and a fascination for Eros as a discipline. NIGHTFALL breaks through dogma, proposes a new language within erotica and invites multi-disciplinary artists to reinvent the genre and take it to an unprecedented aesthetic level. The result is an entirely new category of erotic accessories within the luxury and fashion industries.

NIGHTFALL's beating heart and creative studio will be based in Antwerp, working with Antwerp entrepreneurs and internationally renowned artists and designers.

What are you doing to get the products to the right audience?  

Eveline Rigouts: "We put a lot of effort into PR and it pays off. In D-La Repubblica, the fashion supplement of the influential Italian newspaper, one of our toys shines alongside jewellery and accessories from Louis Vuitton, Bulgari and Chanel. We have also received an application from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris to participate in their next exhibition. The ball is rolling and the response has been very positive. Many people are happy that we are showing erotica in a new light.

In the future, we will present our products in disruptive venues to make them more accessible. We also want to focus more on collaborations and partnerships."

What are the obstacles you already encountered?

Eveline: "Definitely. Meta considers sex toys to be an illegal product that cannot be advertised. This means that we cannot do paid advertising on Instagram and Facebook, which is a big hurdle. That's why we'll also be targeting retail and the luxury travel segment. I would also like to develop an ambassador programme."

When I see who you are working with to make Nightfall a success, I can only come to one conclusion: this is a real Antwerp product.

Eveline: "From a creative point of view, many Antwerp talents have already worked on Nightfall - including Bjorn Tagemose, Inge Grognard/Ronald Stoops and, of course, An Vandevorst (Filip's partner). We are also supported by Antwerp agencies such as The Dot Society for digital communication, Mr Henry for webshop development and Jelle Jespers for graphic design. There is a lot of creative talent in Antwerp, it would be crazy not to use it. Besides, many of Antwerp's creative companies have something avant-garde, rebellious and stubborn about them, just like Antwerp fashion. And that suits us perfectly."