An unlikely collaboration with Christian Lacroix results in exuberant, fanciful Dries Van Noten dresses, coats, and trousers
If you follow Belgian designer Dries Van Noten, you may have noticed a marked departure for the current Spring-Summer 2020 collection. We certainly did.
In collaboration with the former haute couture designer Christian Lacroix, Van Noten gave us something entirely fresh and new for 2020: instead of the label’s signature subtlety and restraint, there are big, bold colors, abundant floral and animal prints. As Vogue put it following the runway presentation: “maximalist, eccentric escapism.”
While the two designers may seem at opposing ends of the stylistic spectrum—Van Noten hailing from the cold north, from a cohort of infamously minimalist and severe designers like Ann Demeulemeester, and Lacroix from the sunny South of France—they share an appreciation for embellishment and fine brocaded fabrics. And, Dries Van Noten dresses have always had a certain quiet decorative quality.
Throughout this collection, you’ll notice varied floral patterns, the brightest of which nod to Lacroix and other, more subdued florals which feel much more at home in Van Noten’s more conservative environs. There are also bold graphic prints—this black and white print is one of our favorites—and bejeweled accessories like this grosgrain belt.
Men aren’t excluded from the fun, as many of the same principles from both designers were applied to the spring summer 2020 men’s ready to wear collection too. We love pieces like this abstract-print viscose shirt, which looks summer party-ready, these bright “Panthero” denim jeans (above), and this turquoise and brown Hibiscus-print t-shirt (below).
This collaborative effort between Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix has simply brought out the extroverted side of Dries Van Noten’s aesthetic and helped democratize and boost the wearability of Christian Lacroix’s design ethos.
The duo’s final output is a collection of truly special garments that feel like just what the world needs, in a spectacular range of prints and motifs, with cuts, silhouettes, and embellishments that do both geniuses equal justice.
Discover the entire and very special Spring Summer 2020 collection of Dries Van Noten dresses, separates, and accessories here on italist.
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About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.