When it comes to fashion that balances heritage, artistry and bold reinvention, few names resonate as deeply as Dries Van Noten. At Camargue Fashion, we’ve been proud stockists of the Dries Van Noten collection for some time, offering Brisbane and Australia a portal to the rich textures, daring prints and considered craftsmanship that define the brand. In this post, we trace Dries Van Noten’s story, what makes the label distinctive, and take a close look at the much-anticipated AW25 collection, Behind the Curtain, under new creative direction.
A Brief History: From Antwerp Roots to Global Luxury
Dries Van Noten is one of the most celebrated names to emerge from the Antwerp Six, the group of avant-garde Belgian designers who in the 1980s pushed boundaries and redefined the direction of European fashion.
Founded in 1986, the Dries Van Noten label quickly earned acclaim for its fearless use of colour, eclectic prints, intricate tailoring and willingness to juxtapose unexpected fabrics. Van Noten, trained in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, became especially known as a master colourist.
Over the years, the brand expanded into womenswear, menswear, accessories and fragrance, while remaining committed to craftsmanship, subtle subversion, and fashion that tells a story. In recent years there has also been a major transition: Dries Van Noten announced his intention to retire, stepping down as Creative Director, and in late 2024 the brand appointed Julian Klausner as the new creative director.
Camargue Fashion & Dries Van Noten: A Lasting Partnership
At Camargue Fashion, we’ve watched Dries Van Noten evolve, season after season, and have remained committed to bringing their collections to our clientele. Our stock offering, from the pattern-rich dresses to the sculpted outerwear, from shoes and accessories to artisan jewellery, represents both the classic Dries Van Noten DNA and its continual evolution. Whether you’re seeking that signature print blouse, a striking coat in luxurious fabric or something that carries both elegance and edge, Camargue has long been one of the places in Australia where Dries Van Noten is accessible.
We believe fashion is more than clothes; it’s expression, identity, texture and detail. Dries Van Noten fits perfectly within that belief, and that’s why we stock it not as trend, but as enduring art form.
AW25: Behind the Curtain — New Vision, Bold References
AW25 marks a pivotal moment for the label, being the first full women’s collection under Julian Klausner's creative leadership. The show was titled Behind the Curtain, staged at the Palais Garnier in Paris, evoking the opulence, drama and theatricality of opera houses and costume boxes. Memories and rituals, transformation and play are central themes.
Key Elements & Inspirations
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Historical References & Theatre Aesthetic: The collection draws on opera décor, velvet, tassels, curtain motifs, and combinations of rich architecture and opulence. It’s a play between darkness and spotlight. There is an almost ritualistic sense to how clothing functions in this story: garments are parts of a performance, from corset belts to lithe drapery.
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Silhouette & Tailoring: Klausner carries forward Dries Van Noten’s deep respect for tailoring, but blends it with fluidity. Oversized collars, puffed sleeves, dramatic cuffs, exaggerated proportions juxtaposed with softer, almost worn-in pieces. Structured coats meet flowing draped gowns, or layered textures collide.
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Fabric & Materiality: As always, texture is pivotal. Fabrics range from rich velvets, jacquards, matelassé, to lighter, flowing silks and poplins. Embellishment is used sparingly but meaningfully: beadwork, whipstitching, appliqués, and ribbon-like details nod to craftsmanship and tactile beauty.
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Colour Palette: Jewel tones dominate: deep greens, violets, petrol blues, bottle greens, offset by neutrals, navy, charcoal, grey, and touches of blush and polka dots offering contrast.
What Makes AW25 Stand Out
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A New Creative Chapter: Klausner doesn’t try to erase the legacy of Van Noten; rather, he honours it while pushing its edges. AW25 feels like a bridge, acknowledging the past but steering toward fresh narrative and aesthetic tension.
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Wearability Meets Drama: Despite its theatrical inspirations, the collection never becomes purely spectacle. Many pieces retain usability, coats, structured outerwear, fractionally subversive dresses, that can translate into real wardrobes.
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Detail & Storytelling: From the costume boxes childhood metaphor to the opera, from embroideries reminiscent of stagecraft, to garments that feel like relics yet also new, the collection is full of narrative. It’s fashion you can look at and imagine stepping into.
In a fashion world of fast cycles, Dries Van Noten’s ongoing relevance comes from its unwavering commitment to artistry, craft, conflict (between structure and fluidity, between past and future), and elegance that isn’t timid. The brand doesn’t chase trends so much as it reinvents its own codes, something that both longtime fans and new shoppers can respect.
For Camargue Fashion, Dries Van Noten isn’t just one label among many; it embodies what we believe in: thoughtful design, beauty with substance, luxury that tells stories and lasts. AW25 under Julian Klausner reinforces that belief, it’s a collection that invites you to step Behind the Curtain, to engage with transformation, and emerge wearing art.