It was in 1957 in Brecht (a small county in Antwerp) that this thread and needle avantgardist was born. He started by taking drawing lessons in high school before entering the Royal Academy of Antwerp's fashion department in 1977. He completed 4 years, enough time for him to put into action his profound and original stylistic pursuit for ethnically inspired art wear based on aggressive graphism and flamboyant colours.
He collaborated with his fellow classmates Margiela, Demeulemeester, Bikkembergs, van Saene, Van Noten and Marina Yee to create what would be known as the famous group of SIX. He launched his first collection (called « Sado ») in 1983 while assuring different collaborations (like the sportswear line of Gianfranco Ferre for which he ensured the design for 3 seasons). He became a professor at the Royal Academy of Antwerp in 1985.
In 1993, he was approached by the Mustang group who were working on a project called « Jam, Jean and Music », with the aim of associating their products to the production of concerts and rock cds. An agreement was made, and Walter was the artistic director of “W” until 1998. In that same year, he opened «Walter », a shop that sells and promotes new Belgium designers and artists in Antwerp.
For his men's Spring/Summer collection 2006, Walter Van Beirendonck makes his big comeback in Paris with force, creativity, panache and modernity. His collection is composed of an explosive array of dress codes from the military uniforms of the XVIIIe century and the detailed trims and finishings of the Oceanus Rapanui tribe. His collection masters with virtuousity the traditional handmade art, original fabrics and the technology of laser cutting