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Dries Van Noten (Antwerp, °1958) was initiated into the world of textiles at an early age by his family, who were in the business. He later, logically, entered the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Antwerp. Throughout his studies he created collections for Belgian and Italian labels as a young independent designer.
On leaving the Academy after obtaining his diploma in 1981, he enjoyed the enormous advantage of being fully conversant with problems concerning production, distribution and, consequently, the real nature of creating. He has three times been a finalist for the Golden Spindle: in 1982, 1983 and 1985.
As of 1985, Dries Van Noten launched his own business, presenting a limited collection in a small boutique in Antwerp. In 1986 the presentation of a men’s collection in London with the "Group of 6" - an informal but extremely talented and creative group that today enjoys international renown - brought him 3 orders: his first clients were Barneys of New York, Whistles of London and Pauw of Amsterdam. In October 1988, Dries Van Noten received the "Award of the Flemish Community" for his work as a whole.
In 1988 he signed a production and distribution licensing contract with Japan. The August 1989 opening of a new boutique in Antwerp, Het Modepaleis, personified the image of his label. In this building dating from 1881 and situated right in the heart of the old town, he is presenting his own collection - Men’s, Women’s and shoes - whilst also opening his doors to other fashion and accessory designers. A Paris fashion show for Men’s Ready-to-Wear week took him another step forward in 1991, followed by a catwalk presentation of his Women’s collection in October 1993.
Dries Van Noten excels in the art of marrying opposites - simple with sophisticated, classical with inventive - whilst still ensuring the perpetuation of certain traditions. By using subtle discrepancies he puts his personal touch to garments of classical appearance. His distinctive style also asserts itself through his great passion and great respect for fabrics, which increasingly often he has made exclusively for his use.
His work structure took an international turn with the joint opening of showrooms in Paris and Milan in January 1993. Dries Van Noten believes in maintaining direct, stable contact with his clients by conducting all sales in his own showrooms in Antwerp, Milan, Paris. Today he collaborates with around 15 sales outlets in Belgium, 160 in Japan and approximately 350 throughout the rest of the world. The company presently employs a salaried staff of about 50, the great majority of which are employed at headquarters. As a Flemish stylist, Dries Van Noten is faithful to Antwerp and his production line remains for the most part Belgian. He runs his company himself, his versatility permitting him to be assertive both in the creative process, as is to be expected, but also in production, marketing and communication.
For Rosas, Dries Van Noten created the costumes of Just Before (1997) and Drumming (1998) and Rain (2001).