The Belgian fashion designer is officially retiring from his namesake label
Dries Van Noten, legendary Belgian fashion designer and a member of the “Antwerp Six” has officially announced his departure from his namesake label. Van Noten’s final show will be his Men’s Spring 2025 collection in June. A successor has yet to be announced.
In an Instagram post, the fashion designer penned a heartfelt letter revealing that he had been “preparing for this moment for a while,” and that he felt it was time for a new generation of talents to bring their ideas forward for the brand.
“In the early ’80s, as a young guy from Antwerp, my dream was to have a voice in fashion,” he wrote. “Now, I want to shift my focus to all the things I never had the time for. I’m sad, but at the same time happy, to let you know that I will step down at the end of June.”
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In 1986, Van Noten launched his namesake label. Known for his avant-garde, bold, and electric approach to fashion, the Belgian fashion designer was also a member of one of fashion’s most influential collectives, the “Antwerp Six.” Other members of the group included Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Walter Van Beirendonck, Marina Yee, and Dirk Van Saene.
In 2018, Van Noten sold a majority of his brand to the family-owned Spanish fragrance and fashion firm giant Puig.
“I feel such gratitude to all those at DVN. During these years, 38 to be precise, you gave me the chance and the energy to produce four collections a year, to stage shows, to open stores, and make DVN the success it is today,” the designer shared in his announcement.
To finish off the announcement, Van Noten posted an illustration of him and his beloved dog Harry, seemingly seated and filled with contentment.
