Walter Van Beirendonck

Walter Van Beirendonck is known for his whimsical yet politically motivated collections and is often described as wild - 'Wild and Lethal Trash' was the name of his 1990s line with Mustang. He is also considered as one of the most famous fashion designers from Belgium. His quirky collections have received media attention since originally emerging as part of the Antwerp Six, bursting with vibrant color and critical sentiments - frequently in the shape of slogans lambasting anything from the Aids pandemic to capitalism. Van Beirendonck sees fashion as a platform for expressing societal problems, with the AW 2006/07 collection 'Stop Terrorising our World' being a prime example.

He has been publishing his own collections since 1983. They are influenced by the visual arts, literature, nature, and ethnicity. His collections are distinguished by unconventional color combinations and a strong graphic impact. He created the costumes for U2's "PopMart Tour" in 1997. He received the honorary title of "Cultural Ambassador of Flanders" in 1999. He curated the 'Fashion 2001 Landed-Geland' initiative in Antwerp in 2001.

Walter Van Beirendonck, who sports a frolicsome beard, is not your usual clean-cut fashion designer. His aesthetic mirrors his design philosophy, with a preference for bright colors amid scary, enigmatic head masks and oddly called collections that are everything but conventional. Van Beirendonck's eccentric and often funny designs have influenced men's fashion. He believes that many people, including the fashion journalists, do not take him seriously. Serious fashion magazines rarely feature his work. Fortunately, his clothing is catching the attention of a young audience. Some of his success might be attributed to the way he operates with his own rules: on a small scale and with a small crew.

Born: 1957
Nationality: Belgian
Brand: Walter Van Beirendonck