At Paris Fashion Week, Walter van Beirendonck's Spring/Summer '26 collection "Wink with starry eyes", delivered a dandy punk vibe. Held at the Théâtre de l''Odéon, the collection captured childhood optimism using oversized clothes and pixelated black and white family photos, that challenged traditional fashion. Wanting to stay the "starry-eyed boy" who believes in the best of humanity, Walter van Beirendonck admits that staying hopeful is getting harder. His solution to a darkening world? Pluck stars from the sky, glue them to your eyes, and set off on a time-warping, postmodern journey.
The starting point is simple: the strong spirit of a boy who still believes; van Beirendonck puts stars in eye sockets, uses surrealism to protect hope, and mixes pieces of history and fantasy. Paint-splattered artists' aprons meet 18th-century skeleton suits. The bold style of fashion icon Anna Piaggi shows up in wrinkled silks and big, gathered fabrics full of wild energy. And everywhere, you see the same main theme: 'Starry eyes', a sign of connection in a tired world.
The designer’s family photos are transformed into glitch art, shining through the 'digital noise' while floral patterns break through the pixels like memories fracturing time. Adding tactile depth to the collection are rare Italian fabrics featuring traditional ikat weaving. The collection thrived on contrast by perfectly balancing raw shock value with modern tailoring. The silhouette embraces a mix-and-match aesthetic through loose, and layered proportions, grounding this looks with bold details like giant pockets, large fabric buttons, wide cuffs, and contrasting silk collars.
Underneath its maximalist surface lies a strong foundation of intentional design, creating an aesthetic rollercoaster that feels like an ode to the unpredictable moods of childhood. What makes the collection sing is its sense of freedom—these are clothes that beg to be played in, experimented with, and lived in. By making space for contradictions, the collection proves that the most honest kind of creativity isn’t neat or refined. To push these boundaries, the designer blends art, fashion, and social commentary, ultimately guiding us out of modern darkness and into pure creative freedom.
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