UNITED WE STAND: “Stop Terrorising Our World.” It was a slogan on a tunic from Walter Van Beirendonck’s fall 2015 collection, and now a message Belgium’s marquee fashion schools — Antwerp’s Royal Academy and Brussels’ La Cambre – are getting behind.
In a show of solidarity with the victims of the March 22 terror attacks in Brussels, the two institutions are jointly using a poster featuring that tunic to advertise their annual graduate fashion shows.
“It is time that we get rid of the alleged separation between fashion in Antwerp and Brussels. Plus, obviously this is also a political message against terrorism,” said Van Beirendonck, head of the Royal Academy’s fashion department.
“While our school programs are often played off against each other, Walter and I have never personally clashed but we have also never collaborated,” noted Tony Delcampe, head of La Cambre. “It is great to be united and come out with one clear message.”
La Cambre’s shows are scheduled for June 3 and 4, while the Royal Academy’s are on June 10 and 11.