Published
December 9, 2024
Dries Van Noten has announced “with great enthusiasm” the replacement for its founder and former creative chief who recently stepped down from the label. The company has named Julian Klausner as creative director and said he’ll lead both the women’s and men’s collections.
It’s interesting that the company hasn’t opted to bring in a big name from outside to replace the revered Belgian designer at a label that has a very distinctive and individual style. Instead it said that “thanks to the years spent at Dries Van Noten… Klausner represents a natural connection between the past and the future”.
He, understandably, added that he’s “beyond thrilled to oversee the upcoming seasons as we begin the next chapter for this house. The incomparable legacy that Dries is leaving behind is monumental, serving as an endless source of precious inspiration. I look forward to embarking on new ambitious challenges while honouring the heritage we all cherish.”
Clearly, his tenure will see no major reset of the brand’s look with expressions like “honouring the heritage”, “legacy” and “natural connection” underlining the continuity we can expect. However, there will no doubt be a degree of evolution and change. If handled well, this could mean a major creative and commercial success story (such as that seen at Alaïa under another Belgian designer, Peter Mulier).
Van Noten himself said he has “complete confidence in Julian’s creativity and vision. He is not only a talented designer, but also a clear choice to take over after my departure. His deep understanding of the brand and its values will ensure a seamless transition and a bright future”.
The 66-year-old Van Noten launched his first eponymous menswear collection in London in 1986 as part of the Antwerp Six collective. He later moved into womenswear too.
His popularity waxed and waned in subsequent years depending on whether the dominant trend fitted in with his maximalist style, but he’s been revered as a pioneer for much of this century and has a devoted following among those who buy his brand, among press, buyers and many celebrities.
His privately-held business was acquired by Puig in 2018, although he retained a minority stake. He announced his exit in March this year with the SS25 menswear collection his final creative output.
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