Every Luxury Label Ought to Operate Like Dries Van Noten
Dries Van Noten is the ultimate designer's designer. His is perhaps the one decades-old label in fashion everyone can agree on, even when it comes to the new DVN creative director.
With Dries the man taking a backseat role in his eponymous line from the Spring/Summer 2025 season, Dries the brand is welcoming Julian Klausner as its new creative director from 2025, with his first womenswear collection to be presented in March.
This is the most Dries Van Noten hire possible. And I mean that in a good way.
Klausner is a true DVN insider, having overseen DVN womenswear since 2018, two years after graduating from prestigious Brussels art school La Cambre. As CD, Klausner will be taking on both men's and women's collection.
With this hire ands always, Van Noten epitomizes the ultimate luxury ideal: A singular vision executed with grace and patience. Unlike labels that chase trends and seek external talent to boost shareholder value, DVN has remained an imprint content to create quality at a comfortable pace even when it was acquired by beauty giant Puig.
It's surprisingly rare that a fashion label of DVN's scale hires from within. Sarah Burton's appointment at McQueen, having been the late Alexander McQueen's right-hand woman, Karl Lagerfeld-trained Virginie Viard at Chanel, and former Gucci jewelry designer turned creative lead Alessandro Michele are three relatively scarce (and impressively saleable) examples.
Klausner's appointment represents a best-case scenario. Van Noten's uniquely approachable POV will likely remains intact as a handpicked successor forges a faithful future for one of luxury's true visionaries. It's about as holistic as things get in this industry and it's quintessential DVN.
"The incomparable legacy that Dries is leaving behind is monumental, serving as an endless source of precious inspiration," Klausner said in a statement. "I look forward to embarking on new ambitious challenges while honoring the heritage we all cherish."
"I have complete confidence in Julian’s creativity and vision," Van Noten added.
Typically, fashion's wild creative director turnovers breed uncertainty among even brands' most casual customers. What if the things they loved about the brand are stripped away by this unfamiliar face? What if the label they learned to love over the years slips away?
But you can always rely on Dries Van Noten.
