Why is Dries Van Noten so expensive?+
Dries Van Noten sits in the upper tier of designer fashion, and the pricing reflects its design-led approach. The label is known for distinctive prints, colours, original fabrics and layering, the kind of work that takes real development. As a designer, Van Noten was described by The New York Times in 2005 as one of fashion's most cerebral designers, and that ambition shows up in the clothes.
Is Dries Van Noten worth it?+
If you love expressive, print-driven design rather than logos, many shoppers find it very worth it. The pieces are made to be worn and kept, and the aesthetic is genuinely singular. It is a buy for someone who wants an artful wardrobe rather than the loudest brand name on the rack.
What is Dries Van Noten known for?+
The work is characterised by its use of prints, colours, original fabrics and layering, an eccentric, painterly sensibility that stands apart from minimalist fashion. The brand offers no haute couture; everything is ready-to-wear and meant to be sold and worn, which is a principle Van Noten spoke about openly.
Which Dries Van Noten piece should I buy first?+
Lead with what the house does best: a printed or richly coloured piece that shows off its signature fabrics and layering. That is where the label's voice is clearest, and it is the most rewarding entry point if you are building toward a more artful, print-forward wardrobe.
Who is Dries Van Noten?+
Dries Van Noten is a Belgian fashion designer, born in Antwerp on 12 May 1958, who founded his eponymous brand with CEO and business partner Christine Mathys. He came from a family of garment makers, his father owned a menswear shop and his grandfather was a tailor, and he graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 1980.
Is Dries Van Noten part of the Antwerp Six?+
Yes. Van Noten launched his menswear line in 1986 and that same year presented his first menswear collection in London as part of the Antwerp Six collective. That moment helped put Belgian fashion on the international map and led to early orders from retailers like Barneys New York.
Is Dries Van Noten still designing the brand?+
No. In March 2024 Van Noten announced his retirement from his namesake label after 38 years in fashion, with his final collection being Menswear Spring/Summer 2025. He had also been granted the Belgian noble title of baron by royal order in 2017.
Who owns Dries Van Noten?+
In 2018 the brand was acquired by Puig, the family-owned Spanish fragrance and fashion firm, with Van Noten himself remaining a minority shareholder at the time. For most of its history it was run as a private company, so its financial details have stayed largely undisclosed.
Where is Dries Van Noten made and sold?+
The brand is rooted in Antwerp, where its first store, Het Modepaleis, opened in 1989, followed by shops in cities including Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and Singapore. Beyond its own boutiques, the label has been carried in some 400 fashion shops around the world.
Which celebrities wear Dries Van Noten?+
Cate Blanchett is the most closely linked: Van Noten dressed her for the 2008 Academy Awards and has continued to dress her for red-carpet events since. Other notable customers include Queen Mathilde of Belgium and actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, and a Dries van Noten suit was famously featured in the television show Killing Eve.
How should I care for Dries Van Noten pieces?+
Because the appeal is in the prints, colours and original fabrics, treat each item gently: follow its care label closely, favour professional cleaning for delicate or layered pieces, and store them well so the colour and fabric hand stay intact. These are clothes designed to be kept and worn for years.
