The fashion world is ‘afraid’ of Trump, says Belgian Van Beirendonck at Paris Fashion Week

Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck said on Wednesday that the fashion world was “afraid” of US President Donald Trump and was not speaking out against him for commercial reasons.

Speaking to AFP after his men’s fashion show at Paris Fashion Week, Walter Van Beirendonck said he hoped more creative people and fashion leaders would take a stand on the ‘disgusting’ rhetoric by Donald Trump.

Walter Van Beirendonck’s show featured models wearing jackets with “peace, not war” badges and ended with “Give Peace a Chance” from John Lennon and Yoko Ono. “I think everyone is concerned about this issue. It’s horrible what’s happening in the world right now,” he said. “Too many wars, too much right-wing extremism.

The 67-year-old said he wanted to respond to Trump’s inauguration on Monday “and I also hope more creative people respond.” “They should talk more,” he told AFP. “They are all afraid of selling less, money is a problem, that’s why we see the most incredible things happening and no one reacts.”

The Antwerp-based independent designer’s comments, who mince no words, come two days after Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, which was attended by French fashion mogul Bernard Arnault and two of his children.

LVMH boss Bernard Arnault and his daughter Delphine, who runs Dior, have been placed prominently behind outgoing President Joe Biden and other former US leaders.

The European fashion industry, dominated by LVMH and Kering, is known to be worried about the possible impact of a trade war between the United States and Europe under the presidency of Donald Trump.

If Donald Trump imposes tariffs on high-end European clothing and leather goods, American consumers will have to pay higher prices at a time when the luxury market faces a global slowdown.

Walter Van Beirendonck’s Wednesday show featured pops of his usual bright, vibrant colors, as well as more classic loose suits in brown and navy plaid tweeds. He continued his usual theme of meeting extraterrestrials, which he has used in the past as a symbol of diversity and aliens.

Paris men’s fashion week kicked off Tuesday with Louis Vuitton creative director Pharrell Williams’ presentation of his fifth collection for the brand at the Louvre museum.