Walter Van Beirendonck

Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 1996 runway presentation was beset by numerous mishaps out of his control, including a last minute venue change due to the wave of terrorism which riddled France all summer, and crucial production material being tied up in customs after being mistaken for cocaine. Despite these bizarre acts of misfortune, the final product displayed much of the left-field brilliance which defined his label. The inspirations for the presentation were characteristically oblique, with visuals drawn from Bavarian castles...

For Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 1995 show, "Paradise Pleasure Productions," he wrapped his models in latex, obscuring their faces and bodies, and dressed them atop their new rubbe...

The Western world was brought to a crossroads in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The fall of the Berlin Wall, Reaganomics, the dissolution of the Soviet Union and other nation altering...

Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 1998 collection was produced during a time of turmoil between him and Mustang, the company which owned his label. The colorful, rave aesthetic that dominated the ‘90s was dying off, with designers like Helmut Lang and Miuccia Prada shifting the zeitgeist towards a more subdued, sportswear-inspired aesthetic. His creative control was hamstrung as Mustang attempted to strong-arm the label’s commercial output into a new direction. Walter was led to the inevitable conclusion that he would not be returning after his contract expired, but instead of letting such fatalism demoralize him, it injected him with a renewed vigor to prove the worth of his aesthetic sensibilities. The presentation opened with a parade of young children modeling his youth line. Though Walter had long been producing kid’s clothes...

Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 1996 runway presentation was beset by numerous mishaps out of his control, including a last minute venue change due to the wave of terrorism which riddled France all summer, and crucial production material being tied up in customs after being mistaken for cocaine. Despite these bizarre acts of unfortunate chance, the final product displayed much of the left-field brilliance which defined his sub-label. The inspirations were characteristically oblique, (as one would expect from the mind of a man who once detailed his key inspirations as “horses” and “Papua New Guinea”) with visuals being drawn from Ken dolls and Bavarian castles...

Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 1996 runway presentation was beset by numerous mishaps out of his control, including a last minute venue change due to the wave of terrorism which riddled France all summer, and crucial production material being tied up in customs after being mistaken for cocaine. Despite these bizarre acts of unfortunate chance, the final product displayed much of the left-field brilliance which defined his sub-label. The inspirations were characteristically oblique, (as one would expect from the mind of a man who once detailed his key inspirations as “horses” and “Papua New Guinea”) with visuals being drawn from Ken dolls and Bavarian castles...

Walter’s fall 1997 collection was titled “Avatar.” Though now common lexicon for one’s internet stand-in for their material body, the concept was relatively new at the time, and originated from a late-80s science fiction novel “Snow Crash...

Vintage Wild and Lethal Trash silk abstract print skirt set with bubble hem tank and full length cotton skirt with drawstring front angled pockets designed by Walter Van Beirendock. ...

Vintage Wild and Lethal Trash squiggle print cotton long sleeve A-Line t- shirt dress designed by Walter Van Beirendonck. Excellent Condition. Size: Medium Measurements: Bust 34in...

Vintage Wild and Lethal Trash multi fabric cotton maxi skirt with back slit and elastic waist. Neon orange and purple cotton print top with Velcro center panel. Designed by Walter Va...

Rare Wild & Lethal Trash by Walter Van Beirendonck Winter 1997/1998 "Avatar" top. Red long sleeve dye sublimated spandex top. Multi-color crochet figure graphic at front. Crew neckli...

1990's Walter Van Beirendonck "Wild & Lethal Trash" Label black organza overlay evening gown featuring black and silver glittered circle print at top and whimsical char...