The work of the belgian fashion designer, Dries Van Noten, is featured at the musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris. This is the very first exhibition devoted to the artist’s work. As Dries Van Noten takes us on an intimate journey into his artistic universe, he reveals the singularity of his creative process which he illustrates with his various and numerous sources of inspiration. The show also includes photographs and videos, film clips, musical references, as well as artworks by renowned artists, from public and private collections, that have triggered the designer’s imagination throughout his life and career.

Dries Van Noten Paris fashion week

The exhibition also includes video footage of the Indian embroiderers who have worked on Dries Van Noten collections since 1987. An obsession with textile runs through the label’s 37 year history. The collection currently in store featured, in its catwalk showcase, a modern reproduction of a floral brocade found by Van Noten in the archives of the museum when he was researching his exhibition. He used the fabric inside out in some pieces, the better to celebrate the bundled threads of silk yarn that the designer felt expressed the craftmanship that lies at the heart of beautiful fabric.

“Unexpected elegance” was Van Noten’s considered backstage soundbite, after the debut of his autumn 2014 collection in the majestic hall of the Hotel de Ville. “I was interested in moving between 2D and 3D, he said of clothes which featured hand-painted and woven poppies and ornamental three dimensional silk lilies. “I like the freedom of hand-painting against very controlled, graphic lines.” Flowers are a recurring motif in Van Noten’s work – he is a keen gardener – and for autumn, flag-width strips of vivid florals were alternated, circus-tent style, with solid sequins or matt jersey. A simple navy sweater with a spray of silver flowers woven over one shoulder looked likely to be a particularly winning piece.

The exhibition takes place on March 1st – August 31st 2014.

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