The Fashion Maverick

One of the Antwerp Six, Walter Van Beirendonck, has been an advocate for non-conformity and independence. The avant-garde designer continues to challenge the boundaries of fashion.

- Rachana Nakra

It has been over 30 years since Walter Van Beirendonck launched his eponymous label, after completing his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. It is here that he met Dirk Van Saene, Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Marina Yee, and Dirk Bikkembergs, and formed a collective that went on to be called the Antwerp Six. They took offto London with nothing but a strong story to tell. Thoughtful but outspoken, Beirendonck has through the years made strong statements about sexuality, identity, and even terrorism in his collections of menswear—always underpinned with his signature vibrancy and idiosyncrasy. Since 2007, he has been the head of fashion at his alma mater, inspiring the next generation of designers such as Raf Simons, Demna Gvasalia, Kris Van Assche, and Craig Green. Bazaar catches up with the designer responsible for putting Belgian fashion on the global map.

What has been the most memorable phase of your long career?