Walter van Beirendonck steps down from Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, successor announced

Fashion designer and performance artist Brandon Wen will take over from Walter van Beirendonck as the artistic coordinator of fashion training at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, starting in September 2022.

Wen will also teach at the academy and supervise students. Walter van Beirendonck announced his departure from the academy earlier this year. He has been head of the fashion department since 2007.

Wen is also a former Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp student. He has worked for brands such as Rick Owens, Michèle Lamy, Maison Lemairé and Chanel. “I couldn't be more excited! It is a dream come true, one I accept with immense gratitude, dedication and joy. I immediately fell in love with the academy because of its tradition, creativity and artistry characteristics. To have the opportunity to inspire a new generation of artists and designers to manoeuvre at the intersection of fantasy and reality and to work with a generation that has the guts to claim a place in the world and develop the necessary tools with authenticity, creativity and fun. As well as to grow together and redefine our love for wonder and beauty in fashion," said Wen in a press release. “As a teacher and artistic director, I want to face life with the same guts as I did in my personal and artistic journey. I am filled with humility and pride and can't wait to start."

Johan Pas, head of the academy and chairman of the selection committee, added: “Brandon Wen convinced us with his abundance of creativity, strong drive, fresh ideas and great connecting force. Exactly what the academy and our fashion education need. With Brandon Wen, we are radically opting for an international, interdisciplinary and innovative profile. Together with the team of teachers and colleagues from the academy, Wen will further put fashion education on the international fashion map and empower it for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century."

Antwerp fashion academy starts a new chapter with the appointment of Brandon Wen

Last May, it became clear that Walter van Beirendonck was retiring from the fashion academy. But, he will continue his work as a designer. Like Wen, Van Beirendonck is a former student of the academy. He graduated in 1980. He has worked there as a teacher since 1985, and in 2007 he became head of the fashion department. He indicated that he was in no way involved in the choice of his successor.

This article was originally published on FashionUnited.be, and it was translated by Andrea Byrne.