Walter Van Beirendonck Fall/Winter 2018 Is All About Pigs
Laden with symbolism or playfully unwearable?
Antwerp 6 member Walter Van Beirendonck has unleashed inscrutably light-hearted collections for decades now, unmoved by the constraints of fashion trends, and for Fall/Winter 2018, the designer readies another array of challenging, humorous goods.
Every Beirendonck collection is expansive and disparate, with a few generalized themes loosely linking the line. Here, the designer’s predilection for animal-influenced designs shined through once again, as pigs informed various looks and details; porcine-like ears poked out of colorful, torso-covering parkas, a painted pig appeared on a T-shirt, and a multitude of other items featured “PIG” prints in various typefaces and phrases, occasionally laid over a garment-covering print of buff, shirtless men. Some looks were too enigmatic to fully grasp, like a multicolored scarf tied over a bright yellow knit and matching boots, worn with tartan plaid pants. Several looks featured Beirendonck’s formidable tailoring skills, but hid the suits behind more oversized parkas and placed peacoats over leather jumpsuits.
Unless the designer himself comes forth to explain the specific motivation behind the collection, it’s up to the viewer to interpret Beirendonck’s latest. If you think you have the answers, let us know in the comments. Either way, stay tuned for our continuing Paris Fashion Week coverage.