The Belgian fashion designer, Dries van Noten, is a bit of an ‘odd bird’. Unlike many of his counterparts, he acts as the creative director and CEO of his company {perhaps a bit of a control freak?}
That said, the 53-year-old designer is all about his ready-to-wear collections and is more interested in making clothes that can be worn versus clothes for fashion/runway shows. His styles and clothing are clean, slightly complicated or embellished, but always genius. If you’ve never heard of him or his clothing, don’t fret because, unlike his peers (again), he doesn’t believe in advertising. “It’s a story. It’s not a person. I don’t have a muse,” he said. “You have to choose a model. Then people will say that is the only kind of person to wear the clothes and that is not for me…people will buy the clothes for the clothes and not for the label.”
Check out some of his fabulous looks here, but keep reading to get a few more insights on this wonderful designer who is proving that you can be a bit of a know-it-all and succeed:
- 2008 winner of the CFDA International Award
- hails from a family of garment makers and traders
- he creates four collections each year (men’s and women’s, summer and winter)
- his brand does no haute couture; everything is ready-to-wear
- signature styling: prints, colors and layering
He’s a man of mystery yet undoubtedly a man of the people. He was once quoted as saying, “I’m a little naive but I don’t like the idea of showing things that you don’t sell in a store” thus everything is available retail at 400+ locations.
