Nobody does upscaled and inverted elegance quite like Dries Van Noten. Taking to a columned, concrete expanse for its Thursday evening slot in Paris, the Belgian brand showcased a heavy hitting collection smothered with all the crisp tailoring and polished silhouettes fans have come to love.
Inspired by a collision of opposing ideas, each garment was skilfully crafted to reflect the beauty in duality. Sweeping, tidy coats were engulfed by thick, knitted scarves while wide-shouldered blazers were paired with loose fitting slacks. Traditional shapes were reimagined, with oversized sweaters peeled open by sloping side zips and chunky arm warmers that snaked up past elbows. A delectable dichotomy between the structured and comfortable, the offering was a masterclass in elevated tailoring.
Differences in texture were a consistent theme, with heritage fabrics taken from traditional British mills and decorated with soft accents. Old-school knitting techniques like intarsia and needle punching were used to develop garments with a distinctly modern feel.
Sophisticated in the collection’s cool-tone colours, models swept down the runway in muted coral and light pink, whilst navy and inky black kept the showcase sharp and sleek. An enlarged pixel pattern and gradient-like effects were infused throughout to remind people that although DvN may be clean cut, it’s never boring.
Photography courtesy of Dries Van Noten.