Walter Van Beirendonck waves to attendees after his menswear ready-to-wear Autumn/Winter 2025 collection as part of Paris Fashion Week. Photo: AFP
Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck said Tuesday (Jan 21) that the fashion world was "afraid" of US president Donald Trump and failing to speak out against him for commercial reasons.
Speaking after his menswear show at Paris Fashion Week, Van Beirendonck said that he hoped more creative people and leaders in fashion would take a stand on Trump's "disgusting" rhetoric.
In a typically futuristic show, Van Beirendonck sent out models with jackets bearing "peace, not war" badges and concluded with Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
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"I think it's on everyone's mind. It's horrible what is happening in the world right now," he said. "Too much war, too much extreme right."
The 67-year-old veteran said that he wanted to react to Trump's inauguration on Monday (Jan 20)
"I also hope that more creative people will react," he added.
"They should talk more," he said. "They are all afraid of selling less, the money is an issue, that's why we see the most incredible things happening and nobody is reacting."
A model wears a creation as part of the Walter Van Beirendonck Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. Photo: AP
The comments by the outspoken Antwerp-based independent designer come two days after Trump's inauguration in Washington which was attended by French fashion tycoon Bernard Arnault and two of his children.
LVMH boss Arnault and his daughter Delphine, who runs Dior, were given prominent seats behind outgoing US president Joe Biden and other past US leaders.
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The European corporate fashion business, which is dominated by France's LVMH and Kering, is known to be worried about the possible impact of a trade war between the US and Europe under Trump.
High-end European clothing and leather goods could be targeted by Trump for tariffs, which would raise prices for US consumers at a time when the luxury market is facing a global showdown.
Van Beirendonck's show on Wednesday (Jan 22) featured smatterings of his usual bright, clashing colours, along with more classic loose-fitting suits in brown and navy tweeds.
He returned to his regular theme of encountering alien life, which he has used in the past as a symbol for diversity and outsiders. – AFP
