As you read the names, 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' 'Cosmic Culture Clash,' and 'Kiss the Future,' you might be inclined to think of nursery rhymes rather than groundbreaking fashion collections from the 90s. But these are just a couple of collection names from Antwerp Six designer Walter Van Beirendonck's now-defunct brand, W.&L.T. (aka WILD & LETHAL TRASH, aka WALT.) From 1993 to 1999, the brand existed as part of Van Beirendonck's desire to appeal to the youth market he was so fascinated by. W.&L.T. showcased strong and original garments that were more affordable than his eponymous main line, so that his young customer could buy a piece right off the catwalk.
Looking back at the brand's archive images and videos from catwalks shows, The Rah Band's "I get messages from the stars" kept playing over in my head. Every collection was energized with futuristic themes with looks that could have been straight out of a sci-fi movie. Slogans like "prototype" and graphics of robots and television sets were emblazoned over shirts. Walter explained the cultural movement that influenced his designs: "I'm always reflecting the time and moment I'm living in while working on the collections. And that moment, the nineties, was an incredible time regarding new technologies: first websites, first CD-ROMs, first video games, the boom in techno music, dressing up for raves, and 'new' gender and beauty possibilities." His interest in new technologies wasn't confined to his clothes; W.&L.T. was also the first fashion brand to have a website and CD-ROM.
"I'm fascinated by the world, nature, art and artists, ethnic tribes and rituals, patterns and graphics, fairy tales, sex, fetish. I'm always questioning and searching for new kinds of beauty," Walter said of his day-to-day inspirations. No surprise then that he is the ultimate storyteller; you only have to watch a video from past W.&L.T. shows to be drawn into the elaborate sets that came to life on the catwalk. From incredible and hilarious scenes of rodeo dancing in 'A Fetish for Beauty,' to sci-fi style knights and robotic dragons in 'Killer / Astral / Travel / 4 D-Hi-D'—every show was a gigantic rave, attended by the fantasy characters that came to life by Walter's invention and design.
Today, pieces from these cult 90's collections are rare and hard to find, but in OC stores now you'll find an array of one-of-a-kind t-shirts and shirts from the W.&L.T. archives!
Watch some videos from past W.&L.T. shows below from Walter Van Beirendonck's Vimeo!
Looking back at the brand's archive images and videos from catwalks shows, The Rah Band's "I get messages from the stars" kept playing over in my head. Every collection was energized with futuristic themes with looks that could have been straight out of a sci-fi movie. Slogans like "prototype" and graphics of robots and television sets were emblazoned over shirts. Walter explained the cultural movement that influenced his designs: "I'm always reflecting the time and moment I'm living in while working on the collections. And that moment, the nineties, was an incredible time regarding new technologies: first websites, first CD-ROMs, first video games, the boom in techno music, dressing up for raves, and 'new' gender and beauty possibilities." His interest in new technologies wasn't confined to his clothes; W.&L.T. was also the first fashion brand to have a website and CD-ROM.
"I'm fascinated by the world, nature, art and artists, ethnic tribes and rituals, patterns and graphics, fairy tales, sex, fetish. I'm always questioning and searching for new kinds of beauty," Walter said of his day-to-day inspirations. No surprise then that he is the ultimate storyteller; you only have to watch a video from past W.&L.T. shows to be drawn into the elaborate sets that came to life on the catwalk. From incredible and hilarious scenes of rodeo dancing in 'A Fetish for Beauty,' to sci-fi style knights and robotic dragons in 'Killer / Astral / Travel / 4 D-Hi-D'—every show was a gigantic rave, attended by the fantasy characters that came to life by Walter's invention and design.
Today, pieces from these cult 90's collections are rare and hard to find, but in OC stores now you'll find an array of one-of-a-kind t-shirts and shirts from the W.&L.T. archives!
Watch some videos from past W.&L.T. shows below from Walter Van Beirendonck's Vimeo!
W< Summer 1998 from Walter Van Beirendonck on Vimeo.
W< Summer 1997 from Walter Van Beirendonck on Vimeo.
W< Summer 1996 from