Date: Belgian, born 1958

Biography: Beautifully shaped silhouettes made from brilliantly printed and lavishly embroidered textiles have become the signature look of Dries van Noten. The New York Times described van Noten as "one of fashion's most cerebral designers" and his contemporary riff on bohemian chic has become instantly recognizable. During his thirty year career, van Noten’s work has evolved to become the most perfectly executed balance of construction and ornamentation in fashion. Menswear-inspired jackets and coats for women, vintage-style pleated skirts, and puff-sleeved tunic dresses emerge onto the runway each season covered with an array of embroidery patterns culled from cultures around the world. A Belgian native, van Noten was born in 1958 into a family of garment makers and traders: his father owned a menswear shop and his grandfather was a tailor. After graduating from the Antwerp Academy in 1980, he began his career as part of the celebrated avant-garde collective known as The Antwerp Six. His business, still based in Antwerp, grew slowly and now includes four annual collections (two each for his men's and women's lines), and boutiques located in cities from Hong Kong to Paris. Like the media-shy designer himself, the Dries van Noten brand is a private company and does not advertise. Yet he continues to steadily gain attention and win internationally-recognized fashion awards. Although van Noten designs exquisite garments, he insists that his work is not just for display; it is practical, as well. His philosophy is that all his designs presented on the runway must be accessible to the client. He says, “I'm a little naive but I don't like the idea of showing things that you don't sell in a store.” The designer and his long-time partner in business and in life, Patrick Vangheluwe, reside in a nearly seven acre estate outside of Antwerp, where van Noten exercises his passion for gardening.