BORN IN COLOMBIA, WITH FRENCH PARENTS, HAIDER ACKERMANN GREW UP LIVING IN VARIOUS CITIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND AFRICA. AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN THE NETHERLANDS, HE THEN JOINED THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS IN ANTWERPEN. ACKERMANN FINALLY SETTLED IN PARIS TO HONE HIS SKILLS AND BECOME ONE OF THE LEADING DESIGNERS IN THE WORLD. IN MARCH 2001, HE PRESENTS HIS FIRST COLLECTION IN PARIS, A COLLECTION ACCLAIMED BY THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS. IN 2004, HAIDER ACKERMANN WAS THE WINNER OF THE PRESTIGIOUS SWISS TEXTILE AWARD. HAIDER ACKERMANN'S WORK IS ABOUT CONTRAST. THE MIX BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW CULTURE, ELEGANCE AND STREET LIFE. HE IS INTRIGUED BY CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND CULTURAL FORCE. THE PURITY AND SIMPLY AESTHETIC OF FORMS MIXED WITH THE ACTIVITY AND VITALITY OF LIFE ITSELF.