Walter Van Beirendonck’s collaboration with G-STAR, originally unveiled at Paris Fashion Week last June, is now available in selected stores worldwide. The unisex capsule collection showcases the Belgian designer’s bold denim explorations, merging avant-garde design with G-STAR’s innovation-driven craftsmanship.G-STAR South Africa tapped local rapper YoungstaCPT, a trailblazer in hip-hop and street fashion, to bring a fresh and local edge to the global narrative. Known for his unapologetic lyricism, Cape Malay heritage, and deep-rooted connection to Cape Town’s streets, YoungstaCPT embodies the fearless spirit of the ‘Denim with Balls’ collection.
Denim with BallsVan Beirendonck has combined his legendary craftsmanship with G-STAR’s denim expertise to create an innovative capsule collection, titled ‘Denim with Balls’. The avant-garde designer was given full carte blanche and decided to experiment with denim and unconventional garment-making. For this project, Van Beirendonck used minimal stitching, focusing on alternative methods like gluing and taping.”I aimed to challenge and reimagine traditional methods. Why are clothes still being stitched when we have the potential to explore so many other techniques? This project is all about innovation, research, and pushing the conventions of fashion. It was great to be given total creative freedom by G-STAR.” – Walter Van BeirendonckThe 19-piece limited-edition collection features bold styles such as the Square Jeans, Wader Jeans, Embossed Pamflet Jeans, and Future Proof Jacket, featuring embossed dots, taped seams, and exaggerated details. All denim pieces are made with certified Cradle to Cradle fabric. Elsewhere, the capsule includes 3D-knitted tops and sweaters, with Van Beirendonck’s slogans ‘Future Proof’, ‘Wow’, and ‘Stitch Less’. The embossed dots, used throughout the collection, showcase the playful ‘Denim with Balls’ concept.YoungstaCPT, a longtime advocate for individuality and self-expression, effortlessly aligns with these themes, making him the perfect fit for the local campaign. His ability to fuse nostalgia with modern street culture mirrors G-STAR’s balance of craftsmanship and innovation.”YoungstaCPT represents everything this collection stands for – bold, disruptive, and unapologetically original. His influence on South African youth culture and streetwear makes him the ideal ambassador for this collaboration.” – G-STAR South Africa“Van Beirendonck is one of the most important fashion designers of our times. His unique vision, playfulness and extreme creative mind are why we decided to work with him. ‘Denim with Balls’ is a testament to our shared vision of challenging norms and redefining what denim can be.” – Gwenda van Vliet, CMO at G-STARCampaign shoot with WalterThe campaign captures designer Walter Van Beirendonck himself through the lens of Paul Kooiker, the Dutch photographer known for his bold and avant-garde visual style. Shot entirely with an iPhone, Kooiker brings an unfiltered, surreal edge to each frame, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion imagery.Locally, YoungstaCPT, captured by photographer Shezan Waggie, embodies the collection’s energy and rebellion. The campaign fuses his signature hip-hop style with Van Beirendonck’s bold designs.The G-STAR x Walter Van Beirendonck capsule collection is available EXCLUSIVELY at G-STAR.COM Prices range from R2999 to R14999.
