When the maverick of the Antwerp fashion scene bags a retrospective in his hometown's ModeMuseum, then things can't help but get interesting. Especially when it's exceptional talent Walter Van Beirendonck we're talking about, who studied at the famous Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and, since his breakthrough at the "British Designer Show" in 1987 in London was named one of the "Antwerp Six", together with his fellow students Dirk Van Saene, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester and Marina Yee. It's definitely a must-see. And from Düsseldorf it's only a two-hour drive. It's a trip that is well worth it for the enchanting city alone, with its unusual boutiques and picturesque cafés.
The exhibition "Dream the World Awake" shows Van Beirendonck's most significant creations, spanning three decades, and divided up into the six most important sources of inspiration: "Fairytales", "Alien Spirits", "Techno Crafts", "Alterations", "Rituals" and "Actions/Reactions".
On first sight the pieces simply appear crazy and slightly daunting: a lot of patent leather and latex, wild knitted creations, transparency, a whole lot of colour and accessories like diverse masks and gigantic headdresses. But on closer inspection, the comic prints, S&M masks and penis-jewellery begin to make sense. Of course, the collection's items are overwhelmingly unwearable and are certainly not Haute Couture, but they don't make any pretensions to be. Instead, in his singular and often extreme way, Walter Van Beirendonck questions the prevalent thought patterns with his work.
An information panel and a short film give us additional insight into his sources of inspiration and working methods. As well as that, the Belgian, together with world-famous photographer Nick Knight, stylist Simon Foxton and British magazine GQ Style, has designed a photo panel with an accompanying video project that shows a selection of items from the collection live in action. With a fitting electro soundtrack.
You have the chance to delve into this amazing artist's world until 19. February 2012.
