Dear Shaded Viewers,
A special conversation between Walter Van Beirendonck and Sara Sozzani Maino took place at Dover Street Market Paris, celebrating both MoMu Antwerp’s The Antwerp Six exhibition and Walter’s 40th anniversary collection, presented during the Antwerp Fashion Festival.
Walter Van Beirendonck is one of the six Belgian designers who transformed Antwerp into one of the world’s most influential fashion capitals. Together with Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee, he became internationally known as the Antwerp Six after the group’s breakthrough in London in 1986. Although each developed a distinct creative language, their shared education at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and their independent spirit changed the course of contemporary fashion, proving that innovation could emerge far beyond the established capitals of Paris, Milan, and London.
Walter’s own universe has always stood apart. Throughout more than four decades, he has explored fashion through bold colour, graphic symbolism, sexuality, identity, science fiction, and social commentary, while also shaping generations of designers during his years leading the Fashion Department at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. His influence reaches far beyond his collections, extending into the way fashion is taught, discussed, and imagined today.
Reflecting on curiosity as the thread running through his career, Walter shared: “I enjoy it whether I go to a fine dining restaurant or a McDonald’s. Just stay curious and open to everything.”
Finale I filmed during Walter Van Beirendonck’s 40th anniversary fashion show in Antwerp presented on June 4 this year.
Sitting with Carla Sozzani during the event. She shared how she first met Diane years ago in New York City.
The queu before the event began, just before the courtyard was transformed by Rei Kawakubo’s new COMME des GARÇONS installation, now on view at DSMP.
All pictures by Robbe Wildiers.
Yours digitally,
Pedro
