Walter Van Beirendonck SS25
Presenting his SS25 collection entitled “I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE…”, Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck reflects on the “endlessly dramatic” state of the world. “Extremes everywhere, extremists getting the last laugh. Big situations to fight against. Meanwhile, we have to continue to find our bliss,” he states in his press release. It was this line of thinking which led him to the idea of the clown — a figure which performs the concept of happiness, but one who is oftentimes the saddest person in the room.
In the outdoor garden of the Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, a parade of 40 models donning Charlie Chaplin-esque silhouettes — think: smaller, form-fitting tops paired with larger, balloon-like bottoms — and a melange of polka dot, gingham, and striped prints strutted down the manicured lawn as circus themed music played in the background.
“I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE…” also features an exclusive preview of the G-Star RAW x Walter Van Beirendonck SS2025 capsule collection. Consisting of glue-bonded pieces reinforced with red taping, the collaboration introduces a new and innovative method to assemble clothing.
This cutting-edge method was used in the development of Van Beirendonck’s Alcantara puzzle piece garments. Using the durable, suede-like textile, the designer created oversized, cape-like coats ending in circles or arrows that can be left open or cleverly slid inside slashes. The garments themselves move with the wearer as they walk, as the graphic circular cut-outs whimsically bounce with each stride.
"I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE…" masterfully contrasts sheer, delicate textiles with bulky, opaque ones; pairs slim, skin-tight silhouettes with oversized, billowing pieces; and explores contrasting concepts of happiness and sadness. A collection of duality, Walter Van Beirendonck ingeniously explores these contrasts through the motif of the clown. Seemingly jovial and light-hearted on the surface, deeper reflection reveals a more morbid and darker sentiment, making "I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE…" both thought-provoking and visually captivating.
photography DONALD GJOKA
words by NABI WILLIAMS
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