BRAND

Walter Van Beirendonck is a Belgian fashion brand known for its gleefully irreverent and avant-garde approach to men's wear. The brand has been pushing boundaries and offering vibrant, unconventional alternatives to traditional menswear for over three decades. With a focus on innovative creativity and visually challenging designs, Walter Van Beirendonck's collections question the rules of fashion and design, drawing inspiration from literature, nature, anthropology, and the visual arts.


HISTORY

Founded in 1983, Walter Van Beirendonck started presenting his own collections and quickly gained international acclaim for his highly alternative and controversial designs. As one of the main protagonists of the influential Antwerp Six, a group of avant-garde designers from Antwerp, he played a significant role in shaping the Belgian fashion scene. In 2006, he became the Head of the Fashion Department at the Royal Academy and has since mentored and influenced talented designers such as Kris Van Assche and Raf Simons. Notable milestones include being awarded the title of "Cultural ambassador of Flanders" in 2001 and a retrospective exhibition at the Antwerp Fashion Museum in 2012 called "Dream The World Awake," showcasing his amazing creations. Over the years, Walter Van Beirendonck's brand has garnered significant attention in pop culture and gained celebrity acclaim. His fashion shows have been characterized as performance art, captivating audiences with their unique staging and storytelling. Collaborations with renowned institutions like the Dallas Contemporary museum have allowed his collections to be showcased as art installations, blurring the boundaries between fashion and the art world. The brand has also made waves through collaborations with notable brands and designers, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.


DESIGNER

Walter Van Beirendonck, the founder and designer of the brand, is a visionary figure in the fashion industry. His unconventional aesthetic reflects his design philosophy, combining vibrant colors with sinister head masks and bizarrely named collections that defy mainstream fashion. He is recognized for his continuous experimentation and ability to push boundaries in men's fashion, believing it offers more adventure and possibilities for creativity. Van Beirendonck's influence extends beyond his own brand, as many successful fashion designers, including Raf Simons and Kris Van Assche, were once his students. His work has been showcased in prominent museums worldwide, including the V&A, the Louvre, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, blurring the lines between art and fashion. Throughout his career, he has consistently challenged industry norms, addressing societal issues and exploring themes of sex, fetish, humor, and gender in his thought-provoking collections. By fearlessly pushing boundaries, Walter Van Beirendonck has created a brand that embodies innovation, creativity, and a distinctive aesthetic. With a legacy of inspiring new generations of fashion designers and continuously challenging the norms, the brand continues to captivate audiences with its strange and beautiful universe.