Van Beirendonck: The fashion world is afraid of Trump

Van Beirendonck said he hopes more creatives and leaders in fashion take a stand on Trump's "disgusting" rhetoric.
Belgian designer Walter van Beirendonck said the fashion world is "afraid" of US President Donald Trump and is not speaking out against him for commercial reasons. 
Speaking to AFP after his menswear show at Paris Fashion Week, Van Beirendonk said he hoped more creatives and fashion leaders would take a stand on Trump's "disgusting" rhetoric. 
In a typically futuristic show, Van Beirendonk sent models out with jackets bearing badges that read "Peace, Not War," and ended with the song "Give Peace a Chance" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. 
"I think this is on everyone's mind. It's terrible what's happening in the world right now," he said. "Too many wars, too many far-righters." 
The 67-year-old said he wanted to react to Trump's inauguration on Monday, "and I also hope that more creative people will react." 
"They need to speak out more," he said. "Everybody is afraid to sell less, money is an issue, so we see the most amazing things happen and nobody reacts." 
The Antwerp-based independent designer's comments come two days after Trump's inauguration in Washington, which was attended by French fashion mogul Bernard Arnault and his two children. 
LVMH boss Arnault and his daughter Delphine, who runs Dior, were given important seats behind outgoing US President Joe Biden and other past American leaders. 
The European corporate fashion business, which is dominated by France's LVMH and Kering, is known to be worried about the possible impact of a US-Europe trade war under a Trump administration. 
High-end European clothing and leather goods could be subject to tariffs from Trump, which would raise prices for US consumers at a time when the luxury goods market is facing a global clash. 
Van Beirendonk's show on Wednesday featured spots of his usual bright, clashing colors, along with more classic loose-fit suits in brown and navy tweed. 
He returned to his usual theme of encountering alien life, which he has used in the past as a symbol of diversity and outsiders. | BGNES