The Belgian designer will step down as creative director of his namesake fashion house following its June menswear show, he announced in a letter to fashion editors Tuesday.

With new product categories and retail experiences, the Belgian designer has recast himself as a fashion storyteller. Ahead of his Paris men’s show, Van Noten discusses the past, present and future of the Dries Van Noten brand with Laurence Benaïm.

The Paris Fashion Week that closed on Tuesday offered both sparks of originality and shameless theft, writes Angelo Flaccavento.

Five members of the legendary Antwerp Six — Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee — discuss the pressures of being a designer, how the industry has changed and staying true to yourself, courtesy of Belgian magazine Knack Weekend.

‘I can’t complain about the business,’ said the designer as he turned a rundown 18th-century mansion in Paris into a Wunderkammer for his latest collection and the launch of his new fragrance and beauty offering.

… and the fashion industry said goodbye with a 45-designer salute and a major tycoon turnout, writes Tim Blanks.

His work has always cast a dark shadow, as a kind of elemental counterpoint to the rest of fashion.

Consumers are rethinking how much they buy, while brands are realising that simply stocking more products does not drive better financial results. Winning companies must reduce complexity and inventory levels by taking a more focused and responsive approach to their assortment.