Dries Van Noten
Puig · Belgium
Dries Van Noten is a Belgian luxury fashion house founded in Antwerp in 1986 by designer Dries Van Noten, one of the Antwerp Six. Spanish group Puig acquired a majority stake in 2018, with the founder remaining a minority shareholder. Julian Klausner became creative director after Van Noten retired in 2024.
| Founded | 1986, Antwerp |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dries Van Noten |
| Owner | Puig (majority since 2018) |
| Creative director | Julian Klausner (since December 2024) |
| Headquarters | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Wholesale reach | About 400 retailers worldwide |
| Website | driesvannoten.com |
What is Dries Van Noten?
Dries Van Noten is an Antwerp-based house known for prints, colour, original fabrics and layering. It produces men's and women's ready-to-wear, with no haute couture, and presents four main collections a year. It is majority owned by Puig, the Spanish group behind Carolina Herrera, Rabanne and Jean Paul Gaultier.
History
Dries Van Noten launched his menswear line in 1986 and showed in London alongside the designers who became known as the Antwerp Six; Barneys New York placed the first order. In 1989 he opened his first shop in Antwerp, Het Modepaleis. Paris and Singapore stores followed in 2007.
The brand received the CFDA International Award in 2008, and in 2014 the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris staged an exhibition on its work. Puig acquired a majority stake in 2018. In March 2024 Van Noten announced his retirement after 38 years, with his final show for menswear spring/summer 2025. Julian Klausner, who had worked on the women's collections for several years, was appointed creative director in December 2024. In 2026 Puig celebrated the launch of the Fondazione Dries Van Noten in Venice, a cultural initiative founded by Van Noten and Patrick Vangheluwe.
Products and positioning
The house sits in the luxury segment with a design-led, low-logo identity. Its range covers:
- Women's ready-to-wear
- Men's ready-to-wear
- Footwear, bags and accessories
Business model and distribution
Dries Van Noten has historically relied on wholesale, with collections carried by about 400 retailers worldwide. It also runs its own stores in cities including Antwerp, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore and sells online. The brand is known for not using traditional advertising.
Why it matters
Dries Van Noten is a reference for independent, design-led luxury that grew without heavy marketing. Its founder succession under Puig is an important test of whether such a personal creative signature can continue beyond its creator.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Dries Van Noten?
Spanish beauty and fashion group Puig acquired a majority stake in Dries Van Noten in 2018. The founder remains a minority shareholder.
Is Dries Van Noten still designing?
No. Dries Van Noten retired in 2024 after 38 years, with his last show for menswear spring/summer 2025. Julian Klausner, a long-time member of the studio, succeeded him as creative director.