Dries Van Noten, who retired from the runway earlier this year, said he has “complete confidence” in Julian Klausner as his successor.
On Monday, the Puig-owned fashion house announced the appointment of Klausner, who designed womenswear alongside the Belgian founder for the past six years.
This confirms a WWD report on Nov. 26 that Klausner was poised for a big promotion.
“He is not only a talented designer, but also a clear choice to take over after my departure,” Van Noten said in a statement. “His deep understanding of the brand and its values will ensure a seamless transition and a bright future.”
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Klausner is to present his first womenswear collection on the runway on March 5 during Paris Fashion Week. The Dries Van Noten men’s collection for fall 2025 will be revealed “as a look book format directed by Julian Klausner,” the house said.
“I am beyond thrilled to oversee the upcoming seasons as we begin the next chapter for this house,” Klausner remarked. “The incomparable legacy that Dries is leaving behind is monumental, serving as an endless source of precious inspiration. I look forward to embarking on new ambitious challenges while honoring the heritage we all cherish.”
A 2016 graduate of the renowned Brussels visual arts and fashion school La Cambre, Klausner interned at Thom Browne, Kenzo and Maison Margiela before being hired in 2016 as a junior designer at the latter house, according to his LinkedIn profile.
As the new creative director of Dries Van Noten, he has been charged with advancing “both menswear and womenswear, ensuring that the brand’s distinctive and strong identity remains at the forefront of his vision…. Julian Klausner represents a natural connection between the past and the future.”
WWD broke the news last March that Van Noten, a beloved and singular designer, would be stepping down after nearly four decades in fashion — and a glorious, slow-building fashion career.
“In due time, we will announce the designer who will continue the story,” Van Noten told WWD at the time.
His swan-song show was staged last June during men’s fashion week in Paris, and the Belgian designer sat front row at the spring 2025 Dries Van Noten womenswear show in Paris last September, which was executed by the studio team and received largely positive feedback from press and buyers. Klausner was among the group of designers who strolled out for a bow.
Van Noten continues to play an advisory role at the house he sold to Puig in 2018, mostly on the beauty side. Last August he unveiled four new Dries Van Noten fragrances, dressing the bottles in unique colors and striking prints, his chief calling cards.
Synonymous with dignified dressing tinged with exotic details, Van Noten is one of the original Antwerp Six that put the Belgian city on the international fashion map in the ‘80s — and he is arguably the one who has had the most enduring impact on womenswear and menswear.
Born into a family of tailors and a graduate of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Van Noten launched his label with menswear in 1986 and established a flagship store in his hometown in 1989.
Today, Dries Van Noten counts 10 retail stores and more than 400 retail accounts globally, with 500-plus doors total.
