At Dries Van Noten, Julian Klausner Rewrites the Rules of Menswear

Color. Print. Joy. That was the spirit—bold and unbothered—behind Julian Klausner’s much-anticipated menswear debut at Dries Van Noten. The 33-year-old designer, who previously oversaw the house’s womenswear collections alongside founder Dries Van Noten and was named Van Noten’s successor as creative director last year, showed his Spring 2026 collection at Paris Men’s Fashion Week on Thursday. And in a season where restraint so often masquerades as sophistication, he offered something else entirely: proof that play and polish can (and should) coexist.

fashion models showcasing bold clothing styles on a runway — LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

Klausner’s silhouettes were fluid but deliberate, with tailoring that spoke in a softer language: the perfect red jacquard jacket; satin car coats; beaded bombers; fabrics that moved with a sense of purpose. There was a confidence in the clash, with florals paired with acid brights and silk jockey stripes layered like a well-traveled postcard. But what lingered was a sense of unexpected refinement. A silk sarong, for example, was styled not as resortwear but as part of a weekday uniform. Can a sarong be office-ready? Absolutely. When cut just right, and grounded with a crisp shirt or tailored jacket, it becomes the foundation for a new kind of power dressing: intellectual; international; and gleefully unburdened by convention.

fashion models showcasing contemporary attire with unique layering and patterns — LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

Klausner isn’t designing for the man who wants to blend in. He’s designing for individual who wants to reframe the way we think about dressing. And frankly, women will want in too. The silk sarongs, striped shirts, and slouchy tailored trousers—they’re the kinds of pieces you eye on someone else and instantly want for yourself. A crisp double-breasted blazer here, a satin cummerbund there—all ripe for stealing, styling, and slipping into your own rotation. Klausner’s vision isn’t about shocking the system. It’s about rewriting (and even doing way with) the alleged rules with charm, grace, and a knowing wink. It’s menswear, yes. But more than that, it’s a mood—an adventurous, inspiring one that offers an exciting reset for summer. And not just for men.