Mar

ch 2

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#2S.O.S

WALTER VAN

BEIRENDONCK

WALTER VAN

BEIRENDONCK

WALTER VAN

BEIRENDONCK

« Nice to meet you Mr Walter van Beirendonck »

OH. MY. GOD .

Yes, you may be asking yourself, who is this guy (Walter von Beirendonck) and what is this ( a m a z i n g ) picture of a couple dancing the tango with crazy gas masks ?« A Fetish for Beauty » Spring/Summer 1998.

That picture is one of the many facets of Walter von Beirendonck, whose work is rich, vast and fascinating.

I was introduced to him during my fashion studies; years ago for a class project that I had chosen to do without really knowing the (personal) discovery that I was about to make.

Since then, he never left my mind…

« NICE TO MEET YOU MR WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK »

«  Nice to meet you Mr Wa l te r van Beirendonck ».

I hope this is what you are going to tell yourself after reading this second issue of S.O.S. At least that’s what I did at when I discovered his work.

I find him fascinating because the meaning behind his art is mindful and pertinent at the different times that he presents it. An expression of emotions through clothing.

Colorful, positive, nature, disturbing, ethnic tribes… Adjectives that scream « M.E ! » (joking, but not really). Those words resonate so much with me because I can find myself in his plurality.

I’m so happy to share with you my love for this artist; and God knows how much I’m not vibing with colorful/extravagant designers.

In today’s world where true fashion designers are cruelly missing, i you truly love Fashion he is someone you should get to known.

Here is a major fact about him you may not know.

He is a member of The Antwerpen Six, Belgium’s most influential avant-garde fashion collective.

(do not worry, this S.O.S issue is in the making).

« Fun » fact, Walter van Beirendonck designed a collection for IKEA.

Other « fun » fact, The Greg Green was his intern.

At 60 years old, he continues to provoke and question our society through fashion.

In 2011, a retrospective exhibition «  Dream the world awake » celebrated his work, where a wall of his inspirations and workbooks were unveiled.

YOUR MASK, YOUR TRIBE

Nature, society and the human soul will lead to spirituality such as rites and paganism.

Manifested with masks, tribal and ethnic inspirations, his art provokes a shift between deeply rooted traditional inspirations and a modern fit.

Another theme is sexuality, which seems to be a recurrent one. He explores society’s sexualities and questions the audience about it. S&M, genders, Aids, love

and beauty standards.

Some masks remind me of European pagan cultures well described and illustrated in the series Wildermannn from the photographer Charles Fréger.

The link between paganism and clothing reminds me of ancient rituals and costumes that people used to wear during celebrations performance.

Indeed, in ancient cultures ornaments, precious fabrics and masks use to be tools to impersonate and invoke spirits.

Clothing had a spiritual dimension and was soulful, conferring powers to the ones who were wearing them.

Playing a holy role in pagan societies.

the artist has other inspirations such as BDSM, Lucha libre fighters masks and also wool and colored ski masks from 70’s.

GOOD VIBES ONLYOther characteristics of Walter van Beirendonck’s, is the constant good vibe that he truly

shares.

His catwalks are filled with positive messages. Despite the critics of our society, Walter is still a true optimist. The colorful creations

empower this good feeling message. Even tho through out the years a lot of so called « fashion critics » had a hard time to take his fashion seriously. They did not understand

his talent and missed out on his vision. As if color doesn’t equal serious. Walter proves that they are wrong with the deep meaning behind his collections.

Indeed, it’s interesting to analyze in which fashion environment Walter van Beirendonck started to showcase his collections.

Fashion was, in the early 90’s, all about the extravaganza. The bling bling, shows of designers such as Versace, Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Karl Lagarfeld for Chanel

and Christian Lacroix, etc… Walter came with a proposition close to the modern art /new realism movement. To me

he’s like the Niki de Saint Phalle of fashion, but bigger and better. He was already questioning our society and fashion systems in the same line as the movement of « anti

fashion » (which I love).

Definitely you can tell that Walter van Beirendonck uses his brand as a platform of expression, sending only good vibes, even though the theme selected had negative

connotations. The message he conveys will always be positive/optimistic.

Messages are more relevant than ever now a days. After all, is it what we are all longing for ?

A person that is here to reassure you by telling you that everything is going to be alright.

COLORFUL ≠ SERIOUS ?

WHERE & WHAT CAN YOU BUY ?

FOR WOMEN

WVB Vintage sequin pants

455€

W&LT Vintage alien world tee

150€

WVB Vintage slogan jeans

344€

WVB Vintage slogan tee

141€

WVB Vintage graphic jumper

187€

WVB Vintage mini dress

408€

WVB Vintage deer blouse

370€

W&LT Archive sexy killer jumpsuit

454€

WVB Archive knitwear

145€

FOR MEN

WVB Vintage aesthetic terrorists shirt

720€

WVB Vintage oversized puffer jacket

1327€

WVB Vintage abstract jumper

1516€

WVB Vintage walter tee

427€

WVB Vintage lust sweatshirt

370€

WVB Vintage printed tee

319€

WVB Vintage printed tee

306€

WVB Vintage wildermann tee

270€

WVB Vintage bomber jacket

2634€

WVB Vintage pagan wheel tee

70€

And an extra …

For you, I gathered some of the best articles online about WvB,

Walter van Beirendonck, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Van_Beirendonck

DO YOU WANT SOME MORE

WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK

?

DO YOU WANT SOME MORE

WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK

?

« Walter Van Beirendonck makes anti-terror statement for AW15 », by DAZED: http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/23326/1/walter-van-beirendonck-makes-anti-terror-statement-for-aw15

« Walter Van Beirendonck on his obsession with masks », by DAZED: http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/37846/1/walter-van-beirendonck-obsession-with-masks-power-mask-exhibition-rotterdam

« Walter Van Beirendonck rallies against an intolerant world », by DAZED: http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/29327/1/walter-van-beirendonck-rallies-against-an-intolerant-world

« Walter Van Beirendonck is collaborating with IKEA », by DAZED: http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/24752/1/walter-van-beirendonck-is-collaborating-with-ikea

« Walter Van Beirendonck », by BOF: https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/walter-van-beirendonck

« Walter Van Beirendonck VIDOS », by VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/waltervanbeirendonck

INSTAGRAM:@SUBZERO_QUEEN

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