Walter Van Beirendonck (Brecht, Belgium, 4 February 1957) is a Belgian fashion designer. He graduated in 1980 from the Royal Arts Academy in Antwerp. Together with Dirk Van Saene, Dries van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Marina Yee (graduated in 1981) and Dirk Bikkembergs (graduated in 1982) they became known as the Antwerp Six.Since 1983, he issues his own collections. They are inspired by the visual arts, literature, nature and ethnic influences. His unusual color combinations and a strong graphic influence are characteristic for his collections. In 1997, he designed the costumes for the U2 "PopMart Tour". In 1999, he was awarded the honorary title of "Cultural Ambassador of Flanders". In 2001, he curated the 'Fashion 2001 Landed-Geland' project in Antwerp. Next to five large exhibitions, a new magazine was launched: N°A magazine, published by Artimo, now called A MAGAZINE curated by.
The Autumn/Winter 93/94 collection, for men and women, is called 'Souvenirs of the World'. 10 numbered pieces of knitwear, each with its own story: N°1 Double you W-America N°2 Fear of Flowers - Italy N°3 Fetish - for Madonna N°4 Wraaf - Friends Forever/Sado 80-91 N°5...
Invitation: "Walter presents the most weird, warm, wanted & wrapping garments of the season. Extensive Stock: ice proof sweaters, tricky trousers, casual coats, snowish scarves, tremendous T-shirts,... If you don't believe it, ... just come and see!!!"
The summer collection '88 'UN AUTRE MONDE’ (another world) endeavours to merge visions from greatly differing worlds. The world and visions of JULES VERNE (high-tech visions from the year 1870), the world of the African MASSAI, NUBA and WODAABE tribes, whose way of life is...
Walter van Beirendonck's first collection
Years ago I attended the Chinese opera, 'Havoc in Heaven'. One of the key-stories of the famous Peking opera. The protagonist, the cute and brave monkey-king, surprised and fascinated me. My attention was attracted recently by a beautiful book showing all the different...
Show: August 1994 at the Tanzbrunnen, Cologne, Germany Setting: A fountain in a park on the bank of the Rhine, where a gigantic white 'wedding cake' - style catwalk - was built. 120 models walked 'on water', then climbed the big set. At the finale, all models posed on the...
Show: July 1999 at Espace Austerlitz, Paris. This Spring-Summer Collection 2000 is a reaction against the standards of gender, which are universally accepted by our society. This conditioned thinking and these clichés find their origin in our education system and social...
