Van Noten delivers this news in a direct, genuine, and sincere manner. He recounts starting from the origins. «In the early ’80s, as a young guy from Antwerp, my dream was to have a voice in fashion,» the letter begins. The designer’s intention is to dedicate himself to all the things he hasn’t had time for. A decision that comes after a prolonged period of reflection and will make room for a new creative director. For the more nostalgic, there is the Silent Archives section on the maison’s website, which allows you to review all the shows from 1992 to the present, a valuable resource for fashion students as well.

The choice not to follow the fast pace of the fashion world, the four presentations a year – two for women and two for men – and a communication strategy far from the usual chase for celebrities to dress, makes explicit the recipe for the maison’s success. Dries Van Noten’s departure thus marks the end of the activity of a unique creative, able to follow his instinct without necessarily looking at what others have done. The brand’s story, in any case, remains a happy one. Even after the majority stake acquisition by the Puig group in 2018, things remained the same. Furthermore, in his farewell letter, the designer makes it clear that he will continue to be involved. An certainly innovative approach and excellent news that gives us hope for the future of the brand.