Walter Van Beirendonck Celebrates 40 Years with Five Lessons on Independence and Creativity

Walter Van Beirendonck, the last active member of the Antwerp Six, marked 40 years of his eponymous label in 2024. His anniversary collection, titled "Dreaming the World Awake," debuted in June during Antwerp's Fashion Festival. The collection reflects his philosophy of blending dreams with reality, addressing social issues like safe sex, anti-war stances, and LGBTQ+ rights. In an interview with AnOther, Van Beirendonck shared five lessons from his career: using a public voice responsibly, maintaining independence, developing a signature over time, seeking external inspiration, and embracing limitations. He began his label in 1986 when he and five Belgian friends presented at the British Designer Show in London, an event mythologized as the start of the Antwerp Six. Van Beirendonck, former head of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp's fashion department and now a mentor at Polimoda, emphasizes the importance of perseverance and creativity despite financial constraints. His Spring/Summer 2027 collection was photographed by Ronald Stoops.