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‘Mystical clothing'
The poetic, avant-garde designs by Peter Pilotto (b. 1977) defy any simple definition. They are usually extravagantly decorated designs filled with intertwined imagery. Pilotto's graduation collection, ‘Carried away by a moonlight shadow', was inspired by the clothing and lifestyle of Sinti and Roma gypsies. On the basis of this collection - in which recycling is also a theme - the Flanders Fashion Institute hailed this young Austrian as the ‘most promising graduating student'.
Since then, his colourful designs have been shown on video in the ‘window gallery' of Walter Van Beirendonck's boutique in Antwerp and elsewhere. From the start, video installations have contributed to the design of Pilotto's world of mystical ideas.
Pilotto has been collecting accolades by the dozen, including the Belgian Coccodrillo Shoe Award, the Unit F Award in Vienna, and the Maria Luisa Award at the ITS#THREE fashion competition in Italy in 2004.
After a short period spent studying art and design in London, Pilotto worked as a window dresser for Vivienne Westwood for many years. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2004.