Walter Van Beirendonck SS2012 'Dream The World Awake' Slash Sweater
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
A key member of the ‘Antwerp Six,’ Walter Van Beirendonck’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection was presented just months prior to a huge retrospective exhibition celebrating 25 years of his creations in his hometown of Antwerp - an exhibition that would later travel to Melbourne. Just the reason for the designer to be on ‘Cloud #9,’ for which he aptly named the collection. "It's the highest state of happiness," he beamed backstage.
The runway was a paradise of tailoring and deconstruction met with the elaborate and the sculptural. Pastel jacquards and sorbet-coloured plaids were complimented by matching shoes, bowties and artificially sculpted quiffs. Preppy was soon met by deconstruction, however, in a paradoxical spirit that saw his immaculate tailoring torn to shreds; chaos and order always closely linked in Van Beirendonck’s vision.
In a typically exuberant show, an explosion of ruffles that were shaped and bulbous as hedges - made in collaboration with Austrian artist Erwin Wrum - engulfed the bodies of models. These sculptural forms later exhibited at the Middelheim Museum.
“On the one hand, I want to let people dream and create dreams, and on the other I want them to think about our society, about our world, about our person, about everything.”
Seen in look 20 of the runway, this sweater bears the slogan, ‘Dream The World…Awake,’ a favourite catch-cry of Van Beirendonck’s, it titled his retrospective exhibition as well as a series of books, published by the man himself. Softly coloured pastel letters emblazon the shredded white cotton base, while the slits - that featured in 10 consecutive runway looks - cut open an otherwise conventional silhouette. Each contributes to a curtain-like effect: for Van Beirendonck to peer out and view the world that he is attempting to fashion, or perhaps for the outside world to peer in.
A series of buttons line the seams at the sides of the body, from cuff to hem via the armpit, enabling the sweater to be liberated and opened. Versatile, it can be worn in a series of ways, including as a tunic with arms hanging free, as seen on the runway. The sweater is completed with an elastic hem and cuffs, as well as the classic bear pull tab at the side that features a cartoon manifestation of Van Beirendonck himself.
Made in Italy.
100% Cotton
Condition: Minor yellowing to inner collar and small mark at rear side.
SIZE & FIT:
Size: XL
Fit: True to size men’s Large, although the unbutton-able body allows for a wide range of sizes and a unisex fit.
Measurements:
Shoulder Width: 50cm
Chest Width: 65cm
Body Length: 70cm
Sleeve Length: 68cm
Hem: 50cm
All measurements are taken with the garment laid flat.
