Dries Van Noten’s right-hand man, Julian Klausner, has been named creative director of the Belgium-brand. The news comes six months after Van Noten himself stepped down from his beloved eponymous label, waving goodbye after 38 years, 150 collections and 129 shows.

Having designed alongside Van Noten for the past six years, Klausner was the likely choice for his replacement, with Van Noten himself stating that he has “complete confidence” in his successor. “He is not only a talented designer, but also a clear choice to take over after my departure,” he continued in a statement. “His deep understanding of the brand and its values will ensure a seamless transition and a bright future.”

2025 is shaping up to be a big year for the fashion industry – at least, it should be, if certain significant vacancies are soon filled. Klausner is set to present his first womenswear collection for the brand in March 2025, during Paris Fashion Week AW25.

Before spending more than half a decade under Van Noten, Klausner graduated from La Cambre in 2016, the esteemed Brussels-based fashion school whose alumni includes Bottega’s Matthieu Blazy, Marine Serre and Anthony Vaccerello. After that, he went on to intern at Thom Browne, Kenzo and Maison Margiela, where he was later hired as a junior designer. Though today’s news was somewhat expected, finally, the fashion industry has had one of its many flying rumours confirmed.