Walter Van Beirendonck (Brecht, 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: NA magazine, published by Artimo, now called A MAGAZINE curated by. WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK

"My goal is to change the boundaries of fashion"

-Walter

We all have our favorite fashion designers right? Does that mean when you favor something it speaks to you the loudest? Or is it just the nicest out of the crowd?

WELL! Walter is a designer I just discovered from a book I been reading..

To start- I AM SO INSPIRED! One thing I must say is his trademark definitely stands out in all of his collections, I love when you see a collection on the runway and without being told who the designer is YOU JUST KNOW! Its like a fun guessing game lol one great example would be ALEXANDER MCQUEEN! Alexander is so great! that he can purposely forget his label and you know its him! all Because of that one significant trademark. For a lot of you this may be common sense. I feel to have a significant trademark is such a big deal; especially in everything you present to people, its as close as painting your face to a white t-shirt PEOPLE JUST KNOW. My conclusion: DONT FIT IN OR PEOPLE WONT KNOW YOU EXIST! Walter Van Beirendonck

Flemish fashion designer He was born in Belgium in 1957

Designed for Oke sportswear from 1977-1980 Designed for Gianfranco Ferre till 1992, while creating his own label Changed his label in 1995 to "Wild and Lethal Trash" He also designs for rock groups Known for his witty, cyberpunk, and pop art shows Was a teacher at Royal Academy of Fine arts in Antwerp Was the first designer to use the Internet and Cd's to showcase his designs Won the title of "Cultural Ambassador of Flanders" in 1999 Materials that used in his designs are: synthetic and high tech fabrics with bold bright colours and graphics His inspirations are the visual arts, literature, nature, and ethnic influences

PERSONAL FACTS RECENT ACTIVITIES INSPIRATION EXHIBITIONS CURATOR PROJECTS COOPERATIONS PUBLICATIONS

PERSONAL FACTS: Born: 04.02.57, Brecht, Belgium Studies: Fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp First breakthrough: British Designer Show / London in 1987 as part of The Antwerp Six (with Dirk Van Saene, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester and Marina Yee).

 Since 1983 collections under the label Walter Van Beirendonck

RECENT ACTIVITIES: Artistic Director for Scapa Sports Childrens Collection ZULUPAPUWA for JBC

Designer collection Walter Van Beirendonck Cloud #9 - Spring/Summer 2012 Hand on Heart - Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 Read My Skin - Summer 2011 Take a W-ride - Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 Wonde - Spring/Summer 2010 Glow - Autumn/Winter 2009-2010 eXplicit - Spring/Summer 2009 SKIN KING - Autumn/Winter 2008-2009 SEXCLOWN - Spring/Summer 2008 STOP TERRORISING OUR WORLD Autumn/Winter 2006-2007 RELICS FROM THE FUTURE - Spring/Summer 2006 WEIRD - Autumn/Winter 2005-2006 SUPERNATURAL - Spring/Summer 2005 CLOUDY STARS - Autumn/Winter 2004-2005 FUTUREDAY - Spring/Summer 2004

1999-until 2004: stheticterrorists by walter PIXYDUST - Autumn/winter 2003-2004 RESPECT RETHINK REACT - Spring/Summer 2003 FLY OR VANISH - Autumn/Winter 2002-2003

BODY:XtensionXfashion - Spring/Summer 2002

1999-untill 2002: Walter Van Beirendonck REVOLUTION - Autumn/Winter 2001-2002 STARSHIP EARTH - Spring/Summer 2001 DISSECTIONS - Autumn/Winter 2000-2001 GENDER? - Spring/Summer 2000 NO REFERENCES - Autumn/Winter 1999-2000

Since 1985 is Walter teaching in the fashion-department from the Royal Academy of Arts-Antwerp/Belgium

In 1998 opened Walter Van Beirendonck ,'Walter' , a multilabel store,with annex the 'window'-gallery, St.Antoniusstraat 12 - Antwerp/Belgium

Between I993 and 1999:designer of W.&L.T./Wild and Lethal Trash Last collection designed by Walter was: Hi Sci Fi: Spring/Summer 1999

INSPIRATION: top top

Since his early collections, Walter has been inspired for his designs by art, music and literature, all mixed with ethnic and nature influences.

Walter Van Beirendonck is considered to be one of the main trend-setters in mens fashion by the professional press.

His designs are very recognisable by either strong graphics or innovating cuts and unexpected colour combinations .

The red thread throughout his collections is his sense of humour, sex with an eye-wink and his concern about safe sex'. His continous statements about the fashion-world,earth,nature, contempary life and society are collected in prints and slogans. Often 'double bottomed'! Always in a complete unconventional context. Since 1983 carries every collection a well-defined name.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: top

Walter works besides the collections,regurarely on projects: Designing costumes for theater, ballet and film,curating expositions,designing objects, think-thank for commercial projects and products,image-making for pop-groups, illustrating books,designing commercial collections... Walter is buyer for the 'Walter'-store and co-curater for the 'Window'-gallery. Due to Walter's intrest in 'Cyber'-technology,W.&L.T. was the first fashionlabel,which launched a full-CD-rom and Website, showing besides the collections, information and selfdesigned games.

EXHIBITIONS Walter Van Beirendonck / Aestheticterrorists / W&LT by Walter Van Beirendonck from 1986

top

Momu Antwerp / Belgium Exposition : 'Dream The World Awake- 2011/2012 Selfridges London / UK Participation-exposition : Selfridges / Judith Clark - 2011 Galeri Peithner-Lichtenfels Vienna /Austria Participation-exposition : Anti Depressiva - 2011 Benaki Museum Athens / Greece Participation-exposition : ARRRHG! Monsters in Fashion - 2011 Song Song Vienna/Austria Exposition : 'Paradise Pleasure Productions' - 2010 Zand Eindhoven / Netherlands Participation-Exposition : 'Glass Works' - 2010 Momu Antwerp / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'Stephen Jones & the Accent of Fashion' - 2010 Art Brussels Participation-Exposition : 'Triple X - Wonde Gallery - 2010 Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands Participation-Exposition : 'The art of Fashion - Installing Allusions' - 2009 Galerie Polaris Paris / France Participation-Exposition : '2357' - 2009 Gemeentemuseum Den Haag / Netherlands Participation-Exposition : 'De ideale man' - 2008 Metropolitan Museum of Art New York / USA Participation-Exposition : 'Superheroes, Fashion and Fantasy' - 2008 Modemuseum Hasselt / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'Ten dans gevraagd' - 2008

Nationaal glasmuseum Leerdam, in Fort Asperen / Netherlands Participation-Exposition : 'De ideale man' - 2008 Oude Gevangenis Hasselt / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'Dichter op de huid' - 2008 Science Gallery Dublin / Ireland Participation-Exposition : 'Technothreads, What fashion did next' - 2008 Victoria and Albert Museum London / UK Participation-Exposition : 'Fashion V' - 2008 Benaki Museum Athens / Greece Participation-Exposition : RRRIPP!!, paper fashion - 2007 Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology New York / USA Participation-Exposition : 'Exotism' - 2007 Speelgoed museum Mechelen / Belgium Participation-Exposition : Speelgoed van... - 2007 Vlaam Parlement, de loketten Brussels / Belgium Participation-Exposition : '6+ Antwerpse Mode - 2007 MoMu Antwerp / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'De MoMu Collectie - Selectie II' - 2006 3. Biennale Berlin Germany Video Installation - 2004 Lille / France Dreamcube Installation - European Cultural Capital - 2004 MoMu Antwerp / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'Malign Muses, when fashion turns back' exhibition - 2004 Muse de design et d'arts appliques contemporains Lausanne / Swiss Participation-Exposition : 'Body Extentions' - 2004 Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago / USA

Participation-Exposition : 'Skin Tight / The Sensibility of the Flesh' - 2004

Forum - Fashion Nation Antwerp / Belgium Exposition : Ballet costumes designed for 'Not Strictly Rubens' - 2003 Lidewij Edelkoort Fort Asperen Netherlands Installation 'Weest steeds waakzaam' - Armour, the fortification of Man - expositions - 2003 MoMu Antwerp / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'Patterns' - 2003 Muse de la Mode Paris / France Participation-Exposition : 'Trop' - 2003 Museum of Applied Arts Cologne / Germany Participation-Exposition : 'Koerprnah - Koerperfern' - 2003 Selfridges London / UK Participation : Body Vision Project, representing the 'Playful Body' - 2003 MoMu Antwerp / Belgium Participation-Exposition : 'Backstage' - 2002 National Design Museum New York / USA Participation-Exposition : 'Skin', curated by Cooper Hewit - 2002 Victoria & Albert Museum London / UK Participation-Exposition : 'Men in Skirts' - 2002 Bon March Rive Gauche Paris - France Participation-Exposition : 'Les collections d'art des couturiers et crateurs mode' - 2001 Kobe Fashion Museum Japan Participation-Exposition : 'Mohr: Colour and Space part 5 Sayoko'- 2001 Metropolitan Museum of Art New York / USA Participation-Exposition : 'Extreme beauty' - 2001

Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology New York / USA Participation-Exposition : 'Belgian Fashion Design : Antwerp Style' - 2001 Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands Participation-Exposition : 'Exorcism / Aesthetic Terrorism' - 2000 CCAC San Francisco / USA Participation-Exposition : 'Fast Forward' - 2000 Elena Levi Roma / Italy Participation-Exposition : Curated by Haim Steinbach - 2000 Galerie Enrico Navarra Paris / France Participation-Exposition : 'Le Corps Mutant' - 2000 Grimaldi Forum / Monaco Participation-Exposition : 'Air Air' exhibition - 2000 New York / USA Installation Summer 2001 'Starship Earth'- collection - 2000 Hasselt / Belgium Installation-Exposition : 'In de Ban van de Ring' - 1999 Kuenstlerhaus Vienna Austria Participation-Exposition : 'Fast Forward' - 1999 Metropolitan Museum of Art Tokyo/Japan Participation-Exposition and catalogue : 'Vision of the Body : Fashion Invisible Corset' with Video 'Fetish for Beauty' - 1999 Biennale di Firenze Italy Installation at Stazione Leopolda (Fashion/Cinema) - 1998 Installation in context of New Universe / Personna - 1996

Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands Walter Van Beirendonck/W.&L.T. exhibition in collaborationwith Marc Newson - 1998

Design Museum London / UK Participation-Exposition : 'Welcome Little Stranger / Men in Black 'Erotic Design' - 1997 Louvre Paris/France Participation-Exposition : Muse de la Mode - 1997

Copenhagen / Denmark Installation - European Cultural Capital - 1996

Fashion Museum of Marseille / France Exposition : '10 years Walter Van Beirendonck 86-96' - 1996

CURATOR - PROJECTS

top

Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands Curator 'Surreal Things, Surrealism and Design' - 2007 Die Zeit Hamburg / Germany Art Director for a special fashion issue of 'Die Zeit' Phaidon Co-curator for the 'Fashion-Cream' Project (published - 2005) Selfridges London / UK Co-curator and designer of the windows for the Body Craze Festival - 2003 Sleazenation Anti-War poster - 2003 Fashion show in Moscow and St. Petersburg - 2002

Mode 2001 Landed-Geland Antwerp / Belgium Curator from 1999-2002 : Landed/Geland. Fashionproject conceived for the city of Antwerp 4 Exhibitions : '2 Women', 'Mutilate ?', 'The Radicals', 'Emotions' A,B, C Magazine, Exhibition - Catalogues, Merchandising - Project - 1999-2001 Realisation video: Revolution - Autumn/Winter 2001-2002 Mot & Chandon Lesprit du Sicle-award for the Six of Antwerp - 2000 Awarded title Cultural Ambassador of Flanders - 1999

Nomination Fashion Awards in New York - 1998

Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands Curator 'Kiss the future'. 'Shop-Installation'- Project with Marc Newson - 1998

COOPERATIONS

top

U2 / BONO Outfits for the 'Popmart' tour Mustang Creatin gthe W&LT - Universum Coca Cola Coke - can for the 'Coke light Fashion Edition Belgium' Eastpak Limited Edition by Walter Van Beirendonck

Nissan Makeover of a Nissan Micra for the Brussels Automobile Fair. It was sold in favour of the Aids Research department at the Antwerp Tropical Institute. Theater Company Amsterdam Costumes for 'The massacre at Paris' (Director : Ivo Van Hove) Royal Ballet of Flanders Costumes for 'Not Strictly Rubens' Rei Kawakubo Cooperation for Landed 2001 / '2 Women' - Art Directin 5 shows of Comme des Garons in Antwerp Marc Newson Cooperation for Shopconcept W&LT presented on 13 and 14 March in Paris 'Kiss the future' Exhibition in the Boijmans-Van Beuningen Museum Rotterdam

Orlan Cooperation for Catalogue 'Believe' Juergen Teller Cooperation for fashionshoots and publications Lidewij Edelkoort Cooperation on different levels Tropical Institute Antwerp department Aids research Fundraising through regular projects Liveball Vienna Benefit Fashion show 2000 / Vienna - Austria Amnesty International design of Amnesty International T-shirt on the occasion of their 40th Anniversary for fundraising Ronald Stoops Cooperation for photoshoots

Inge Grognard Cooperation for Make-up - projects Mondino Cooperation for photoshoots and Portraits of Walter Bloomingdales Interactive Windows, New York Fashion Week: exclusive W.&L.T. shopwindows / New York - USA Starlab Consultant for intelligent clothing / I - Wear Project / Brussels - Belgium Woolmark Lecturer and guest of honour / Melbourne - FFashion Festival Australia Belgian Television VTM In cooperation with JBC, Art Director for Levenslijn - Fundraising Project 'I love Stars' Bang & Olufsen Lecture about colour for Bang & Olufsen, Denmark Paul Boudens Cooperation for Graphics, catalogues and magazines Vivienne Westwood Regular invitations as jury member - Hochschule der Bildenden Kuenste, Berlin Mr. Pearl Cooperation on the Mr. Pearl - Room - Landed/Geland 2001 Stephen Jones Cooperation in several 'Hat - Projects' the Avalanches- Australia T-shirt-project - 2002

Joan Morey Text-contribution to catalogue of Bad Boys-project/Bienale of Venice

Dear iDEALS, Walter Van Beirendonck is one of Antwerp Six, which stands on its own as a tittle to carry (a rather heavy one one might say). I am happy to reveal to you this nice converation I had with Mr Beirendonck, perhaps the most influential and breakthrough menswear designers of our time, having mentored the famed Bernhard Willhelm as well as other young emerging talents who are lucky enough to have him as their tutor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. For the moment his is exhibiting 2357, an art installation at Polaris Gallery in Paris. See more of that here, on Diane Pernet's Shaded Blog.

Filep Motwary: What are the most memorable moments in your career so far, acquaintances and collaborations? Why? What has been your career high to date? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: Every new collection is a highlight for me. I love to work together with other creative people. Bono (U2), Marc Newson, Jurgen Teller, Rei Kawakubo, Mondino, Ronald Stoops, Inge Grognard, Orlan, Dirk van Saene..are a few of the people which I enjoyed working with. Some off my huge fashion shows back in the nineties you surely can call career highs.

(Photo Ronald Stoops)

FilepMotwary: Belgium made its entrance on the map of Fashion during the mid 1980s thanks to you, Ann Demeulemeester, Margiela...Could you describe this wave back then, the difficulties and the whole evolution in General that today, still remains as the most sophisticated part of the worlds fashion industry? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: We (the six + 1) were totally innocent, not knowing how to deal with the real fashion world after graduating from the Antwerp royal academy. But we wear ambitious, sticked together, got finally out of Belgium and rocked the fashion world. Im also really proud that Im teaching in the academy for more that 26 years. I teached great new talents who became also well known names in the fashion world. Of course is my favourite: Bernard Wilhelm. Since two years Im head of the fashion department and sure to deliver more talents in the future. Belgium raised students (coming from all over the world) do rock the fashion world once again!

FilepMotwary: Your work is like a canvas full of messages, Can fashion be a protest? Can a protest be fashionable? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: Fashion should be rethink , react and renew. Fashion designers, as all creative people, should have the role to criticize, reflect our contemporary society. The rhythm and pace of fashion is a perfect way tot protest-anything can be fashionable Why not! Obama is very fashionable and isnt that politics? FilepMotwary: Classicism as we know it today requires balance and order in colors or shape. Yet, your work moves towards another dimension. How do you translate what you do? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: My final goal is not to do achieve a kind of classicism. But even in my work, balance and order of colour, and shape is extremely important. Of course the final result is a real personal vision and view. What I do: My personal challenge is to change and let evolve the boundaries of (mens) fashion. I like to experiment and thinking about the possibilities to express my vision, view, thoughts and ideas in my collections and project.

FilepMotwary: From 1985 to this day, you are head of the 3rd Bachelor and Master at the Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp. Describe the contradiction of showing your work as a designer and at the same time, teaching fashion to young students. W.V.BEIRENDONCK: I dont see it as a contradiction. My strong fantasy gives me the real possibility to guide and help young talents. I get into their heads, think for them and try to push their limits. Thats what is called: teaching and learning

FilepMotwary: What do you think it means to categorise you as a 'Belgian designer'?

W.V.BEIRENDONCK: We are all rather different, but what all Belgians (or designers raised in Antwerp) do have in common, is that we want to tell a story or do a statement in our collections. This we reach trough research, and we all inject a big dose of our own charter and interest in the world, in our collection. We dont care for glam, glitz and stars on the first row. FilepMotwary: What does fashion mean to you? What does it need in your opinion? What is modern and what is old? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: Fashion needs passion, experiment, soul, risks, changing. I love it and hate it at the same time. It is great to realize (afterwards) now dominant fashion trends are visible in the world. We try to avoid following trends, but we cant avoid to be influenced by them, even the most forward-thinkers.

FilepMotwary:How do you think the interns help fashion these days? How important is for you having young people working around you? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: I select every season 2/3 interns which work intensively in my studio. I love the dynamic energy from this young people, and I do like to teach them new things. FilepMotwary: How different are the needs you had when you fist started compared to where you stand today? Please, could you include your ideals and beliefs as a person? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: The needs are still the same: getting money together to do what I like to do in my work.Despite the fact that my career was a rollercoaster ride, going up and down, Im proud that I always achieved to do what I wanted to do, and despite the fact that most of the fashion world is a scary, money business, superficial and killing.. I keep on believing.

FilepMotwary: How was your upbringing? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: Simple and caring, in a small town in the countryside. loving animals and nature. (Stefan Van Fleteren)

FilepMotwary: Do you think that one chooses his path of life depending on the influences he has from childhood or is it some sort of decision we take based on personal choices? How was Walter Van Beirendonck as a teenager compared to the students you teach? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: As a teenager I was innocent, but ready to discover the world.. Now, students are informed by the web. Seeing and googling a lot, but missing the right contexts.

FilepMotwary: Has the economic crises affected the way you think or work? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: Definitely the more commercial projects Im involved in! FilepMotwary: Could you share with us any short coming plans and projects? W.V.BEIRENDONCK: W6YZ

Note: The interview is part of the 5th FASHION ISTEROGRAFO, supplement of Phileleftheros Cyprus.

Walter Van Beirendonck is represented by TOTE