Following in the estimable footsteps of Prada, Ralph Lauren and RoccoBarocco, Belgian fashion designer Walter van Beirendonck is now trying his hand at uniforms. He's been commissioned by the city of Antwerp to design the couture for the trendy burg's 1,900 municipal workers.
    Not one to shy away from bold gestures, the ursine Belgian conjured a design concept that refashions old gray uniforms as something practical and "even a little bit flashy," according to Frank Van Zoom, Antwerp's director of civil coordination. The updated look recalls the original "Star Trek" while also ensuring that Antwerp's workers will be, as Van Zoom puts it, "recognizable, stylish and safe."
    Part of the recognition factor stems from Van Beirendonck's intuitive use of color: dark green for employees who work outdoors in Antwerp's parks and cemeteries, reflective orange for those who work on or near the street and burgundy for technicians.
    Van Zoom says the new skinny ties and sleeveless, V-neck sweaters-already in use by the managerial staffhave been well-received. Teething problems, involving the initially scratchy reflective bands, have since been overcome. The remaining uniform elements, such as overalls and jackets, will be released by October.
    Antwerp has invested roughly $1 million in the project, which further enhances the city's profile as a burgeoning fashion mecca. (Luminaries such as Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten and Raf Simons also got their start here.) Indeed, early prototypes produced a year ago have already become collector's items, and Van Beilrendonck fans from as far afield as Japan have contacted the city about how to get hold of them. Van Zoom says the demos might one day be sold or auctioned off, but that for the moment, "They've been safely tucked away." DOUGLAS HEINGARTNER