Dries Van Noten Is Stepping Down as Creative Director
by Adriano Batista
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, few names have stood the test of time with the grace and innovation of Dries Van Noten. Now, the Belgian designer has announced his decision to step down as Creative Director of his namesake label. A move that marks the end of an era.
Van Noten’s journey began in 1986, and his rise to prominence was meteoric. As a member of the “Antwerp Six,” he, alongside contemporaries like Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester, redefined the fashion industry throughout the 1990s. His designs were not just clothes, but statements of art, culture, and individuality.
For 38 years, Van Noten has been at the forefront of the fashion scene, consistently delivering collections that are as much a feast for the senses as they are wearable. His unique vision has been a guiding light in an industry often criticized for its fleeting trends and constant change. Yet, in a statement that reflects his thoughtful nature, Van Noten expressed a desire to explore life beyond the runway. “I want to shift my focus to all the things I never had time for,” he said, signaling a shift towards personal growth and exploration.
The announcement of his departure comes with a bittersweet acknowledgment of the need for fresh perspectives. “I feel it’s time to leave room for a new generation of talents to bring their vision to the brand,” Van Noten remarked. This generous gesture is a testament to his belief in the cyclical nature of creativity and the importance of nurturing new voices in the fashion dialogue.
As the SS25 womenswear collection looms on the horizon, the fashion house, now under the stewardship of Spanish perfume conglomerate Puig, faces the difficult task of finding a successor capable of carrying the torch Van Noten has held for so long. The collection, to be designed by his studio, will serve as a bridge between the past and the future, a final homage to Van Noten’s legacy before a new chapter unfolds.
MODALISBOA FOR GOOD Backstage!
ZABRA present ‘LIMBIC LANDMARKS’ at Sónar Lisboa
Desigual and BOTTER have joined forces to create High Tides, a collection that combines the Caribbean spirit of BOTTER with Desigual’s Mediterranean roots.
Tennis style gets a fresh perspective with Y-3’s latest high-performance collection, merging athletic function with avant-garde design.
This capsule is about the beauty of daily life, shaped by the free, easy feeling of the 1970s Mediterranean coast.
After a successful first collaboration in 2024, the festival teams up again with The Queer Archive, an international art collective, to spotlight queer creativity in all its forms.
The PUMA’s H-Street is the star in this new Fucking Young! editorial, starring Duot and Valera photographed by Noah Pharrell and styled by Elisa Sanz.
The “DUALITY” collection by A Sinner in Pearls isn’t about choosing sides but about holding two truths at once.
Santino Calvani, Bigoa Biel, Christian de Putron and Micah Walk shot by Julia Godoy and styled by Agustina Rey Francos, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
The collection pulls from Tommy’s archives, mixing nautical vibes with technical upgrades.
Stig Lübben at KULT MODELS Germany photographed by Fred Elfeld and styled by Nawid Qureischi, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
There’s something quietly special about hobbies, those small rituals that give us space to breathe, to focus, and to connect with something real. Forét’s FW25 collection, Hobby Market, is a love letter to those moments.
Saint Laurent Rive Droite just teamed up with award-winning hearing protection brand Hears to drop a limited-edition pair of earplugs that combine luxury design with acoustic innovation.
Dylan Wrona photographed and styled by Keyr Castro, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Ilona Staller, better known as Cicciolina, is turning up the heat this Ferragosto with a limited-edition T-shirt series.
Salomon’s XT-Whisper Void is a shoe built for movement, but made for personality.
It’s the bag you put inside another bag or the one you stuff full of everything else. It doesn’t care what it carries; it’s built to hold whatever you throw at it.
Jhona Burjack photographed by Gustavo Zylbersztajn and styled by Thiago Biagi, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Carhartt WIP’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection keeps the brand’s rugged workwear spirit while mixing in fresh elements.
Billionaire Boys Club’s second drop for Fall/Winter 2025 is a celebration of Jamaican sound system culture.
“MiMa is first and foremost a space for discovery and inspiration. That was a core idea from the very beginning, both in the way we curated the selection and in how we designed the space itself.”
FANG NYC’s FW25 collection pulls from creative director Fang Guo’s travels, from Georgia’s concrete Kartlis Deda monument to Crete’s pink sand beaches, to play with contrasts.
Reebok and multitalented artist Tobe Nwigwe are back with the second chapter of their collaborative “Reebok x Chukwu” partnership.
Rihanna’s FENTY x PUMA collaboration returns with a fresh take on football-inspired fashion.
To celebrate the release of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on PlayStation 5, Ninja Theory has teamed up with London’s Passarella Death Squad for a limited capsule collection.
ERL marks its fifth anniversary with a new version of its signature skate shoe, the Electric Blue Vamp.
Skepta and PUMA are back with a tight, all-black collection that strips streetwear down to its essentials.
Wood Wood enters a new chapter with its FW25 Double A campaign, the first collection under creative director Brian SS Jensen and head of design Gitte Wetter.
Leandro da Silva photographed by Emil Huseynzade and styled by Vladimir Frol de Moura, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
PUMA is re-releasing its special 2003 H-Street sneakers in two Jamaica-inspired colorways, just in time for Notting Hill Carnival.
Delvinas and Antón lensed by Willy Villacorta and styled by María Hernandez, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Viegas is someone who grew up immersed in music and community, with a desire to create spaces where people feel seen and free.
