Julian Klausner

Julian Klausner is the Creative Director of Dries Van Noten, appointed in December 2024 following the founder's retirement. An Antwerp native and graduate of La Cambre, Klausner worked at Maison Margiela before joining the womenswear design team at Dries Van Noten in 2018. His deep internal knowledge of the house and its creative processes made him the natural successor to lead its next chapter.

His leadership marks a transition for the Belgian house, tasking him with evolving the brand's identity while honouring its heritage of textile innovation and craftsmanship. Klausner’s work is characterised by a balance between the house's established aesthetic and a more contemporary flair. His appointment represents a commitment to maintaining the house's creative independence and its unique position in the global fashion landscape.

Design is focused on maintaining the established DNA of the house—characterised by rich textures and complex prints—while introducing a more contemporary, theatrical flair. Formal signals include the introduction of cinched waists and a more defined silhouette that contrasts with the traditional fluidity of the brand. This creates a balance between a casual, everyday aesthetic and high-impact 'eye candy' details, bridging the house's past with a transformative new vision.

The treatment of materials remains central, with a focus on how weight and ornament can be used to create a sense of visual drama. Proportions are often manipulated to suggest a more expressive and assertive form of femininity. This approach reflects a design philosophy that values the continuity of artisanal excellence while seeking to re-energise the house’s visual language through bold formal gestures and a renewed focus on the performative nature of dress.