Dries Van Noten’s Farewell, Margiela’s “Kiss” Shirt and the Impeccable Style of Anna May Wong
Plus This Week’s Reading List With All Fashion Links You Need to Visit
Dries Van Noten's decision to step down as the creative director of his renowned fashion house after nearly four decades in the industry marked last week’s fashion agenda. In his statement, he reflected on his growing awareness of the importance of work-life balance and the need to prioritize personal well-being over the pursuit of a super-demanding fashion career. Which is rare.
The fashion industry has long celebrated the image of the "burned-out designer" as a symbol of creativity and artistic integrity, but Van Noten's departure challenges this notion. Instead, it emphasizes the value of longevity in a career and the revolutionary concept successful fashion designers do have a life outside the industry.
Van Noten often made the point he has many outside interests beyond fashion despite fashion being one of his passions early in life.“As a young guy from Antwerp, my dream was to have a voice in fashion. Through a journey that brought me to London, Paris, and beyond, and with the help of countless supportive people, that dream came true,” he told WWD in a statement. “Now I want to shift my focus to all the things I never had the time for. I’m sad, but at the same time happy.”
Van Noten's decision to step down is a much-needed reminder that success in the fashion industry can be attained without burning yourself inside the flames of overexposure. Is it also a testament to the evolving nature of the industry and the shifting priorities of its key players?
Many of us think not. But we remain optimists.
Fashion gems follow:
Soma Faitanin’s Spring 2024 Westminster BA graduate collection.
Joyce Spakman’s Blood Red crystal porcelain waspie corset.
Anatol Knotek’s visual poetry.
The RenaiXance limited edition, digital garment collection co-designed by RTFKT x The Fabricant on The Dematerialized.
Maison Martin Margiela: "Kiss" Shirt with the lipstick prints rumored to be made by the Maison's seamstresses.
The unique looks of old Hollywood actress Anna May Wong.
This week’s Reading List:
Have We Reached Peak Brand? by Viktoriia Vasileva on Substack.
Why High Fashion Brands Don’t Have the Luxury of ‘Eating the Rich’ by Oskar Zander for Contagious.
Death’s Signature Scent by Daniel Pearce on DIRT.
The Role of Black – in fashion and human history by Roberta Fabbrocino for Lampoon Magazine.
Oh, this is getting GOOD. Keep going, keep growing.