In the Fall/Winter 2026 collection for Dries Van Noten, Creative Director Julian Klausner beckons us closer. The theme of the collection, Behind the Curtain, references all things stage and spectacle, interpreted through the archetypical Dries Van Noten aesthetic. However, rather than zoom out into the grandiose, Julian takes a micro approach… turning a magnifying glass on the unseen elements that layer a memorable experience. Think the plush, silken tassels that hold back the curtain, the gilded backplates of the sconce lighting, the arabesque patterns on an aisle rug worn soft by years of faithful attendance. These elements come to life in Julian’s hands, forming a collection rich, tactile and dripping with character.
For Julian, the details not only come from the accessory treatment for the season (believe us when we say the kitten heel included in this collection is intensely stylish) but from the smallest decisions in his designs. The length of a wrap tie that drapes along the backside, the cut of a trench coat’s yoke that hangs just so off the body, the cut leather tie that structures a silken tunic. These elements are minute, intimate, and oft overlooked by the untrained eye… but are crucial in taking a design from ho-hum to “Where did you get that?”
On the buying side, we enter the world of Dries with a puzzle in mind. Attending a couture runway is terribly fun, but translating what we see on the catwalk into a functional, buyable capsule is a another matter. We spend a lot of our time not only considering what is the coolest and best designed for the season, but also what is ultimately the best fit for those who shop our stores. (As much as we like them, floor-length, crystal-stitched trousers are hardly practical for the day to day!)
Our people, much like ourselves, are discerning, pragmatic go-getters with a lot to accomplish and not a lot of time to sit around and look pretty. So that is what we like to bring you—beautifully-made things that can be easily styled and lived in, while still embodying the core aesthetic of the brand. For panache and a bit of inspiration, we invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty and flash of Julian’s vision—please click below to watch the runway show!
The Drama in the Details
