Biography
Born in Antwerp in 1958, Dries Van Noten is the third generation in a family of tailors. At the age of 18, Dries entered the fashion design course of Antwerp’s Royal Academy. On graduating, he began to freelance as a consultant designer before starting his own collection of menswear in 1986. Since its beginnings Dries Van Noten has presented collections for women and men for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter each year. He celebrated his 50th fashion show in 2004 and 100th fashion show in 2017.
In June 2008, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honoured Dries Van Noten with its International
Designer of the Year Award. 2014 began with the grand opening of Dries Van Noten, “Inspirations”, a first
ever exhibition featuring his designs and influences at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Another
configuration of the exhibit moved to Antwerp in 2015. In July France decorated Dries Van Noten with the
honour of ‘Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.’ In October 2016, Dries Van Noten wins the Culture
Award from The Province of Antwerp for his contribution to Culture.
In June 2018 Puig entered the capital structure of Dries Van Noten as majority owner. The designer remains, over the long term, a significant minority shareholder and continues his role as chief creative officer and chairman of the board.
2019 saw Mr Van Noten collaborate with world renowned fashion designer Mr Christian Lacroix on his
collection for Women, Spring/Summer 2020. In June 2020, and September 2021, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has again nominated Dries Van Noten for its International Designer of the Year Award.
Timeline
1981
Dries Van Noten graduates from the Fashion Design Course at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium
1986
Dries Van Noten debuts his first menswear collection, which is soon stocked in Barneys New York and Whistles in London
1987
Dries’ partner Patrick Vangheluwe joins the company
1989
The first flagship store opens in Antwerp at ‘Het Modepaleis’ a historic former menswear store
1991
Dries Van Noten makes his debut at part of Paris Fashion Week with his menswear SS92 collection
1993
The first womenswear SS94 Show in Paris. Ever since, Dries stages two womenswear
and two menswear shows each year
1997
Opening of the Hong Kong Flagship store with Joyce
2004
Dries Van Noten marks his 50th show with a dinner for 500 at one long table which afterwards becomes the catwalk
2007
The House opens its Paris flagship for the women’s collections on 7, Quai Malaquais
2008
Dries Van Noten wins the ‘International Designer of the Year Award’ from the CFDA
and receives the title ‘Royal Designer for Industry’ an acknowledgement from the Royal Society of Arts, in London
2009
Opening of the flagship store in Tokyo with Tomorrowland, as well as a standalone men’s
store near the women’s at 9, Quai Malaquais, in Paris Dries is honoured with numerous
awards: an induction into the ‘Galerie des Eminents’ by the Flemish Chamber of Commerce, ‘The gold medal’ from the Flemish Royal Academy of Belgium and the ‘Award for Artistry of Fashion’ given by the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT in New York
2014
The Musée Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris unveils ‘Inspirations,’ an exhibition exploring the inspirations behind Dries Van Noten’s collections, in addition to a book of the same name.
It marks the first show by a Belgian designer in the museum’s history. This exhibition then travels to the MoMu in Antwerp
2015
France honours Dries Van Noten with the Officier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
2017
The Dries documentary debuts, an insight into the designer’s life and work by filmmaker Reiner Holzemer.
The King of Belgium appoints Dries Van Noten a Baron in recognition of his enrichment to cultural life in his home country. To coincide with his 100th show, a special book to mark the occasion titled Dries Van Noten 1-100 is released
2018
Puig becomes the majority shareholder in the company
2019
Dries Van Noten collaborates with couturier Christian Lacroix on his spring/summer womenswear collection
2020
Expansion in mainland China sees the opening of a store in Shanghai, followed by Chengdu in 2022
The first flagship store in the US opens, an 800m² store on La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles with a designated gallery space, called The Little House
2022
Dries Van Noten launches beauty, with 12 gender fluid fragrances, 30 lipsticks in refillable packaging and a range of accessories.
Tatler UK names the Dries Van Noten lipstick “Best Design” of the year.
Selfridges elects Dries Van Noten Refillable Fragrance and Lipstick as one of the year’s
standout products.
WWD names Dries Van Noten Eaux de Parfums as “Product of the Year” in the fragrance category
2023
Opening of the Galerie Quai Malaquais in Paris devoted exclusively to fragrance, beauty and accessories.
Dries Van Noten receives the ‘Designer of the Year for both his women’s and men’s collections’ award from WWD.
The brand wins Elle Belgium’s Beauty Award “Must-have” Dries Van Noten, Soie Malaquais is awarded best “Design & Packaging” at the Fragrance Foundation UK
2024
In June 2024 Dries Van Noten presents his last collection for the House. He steps down as Creative Director but is still involved in the House.