Dries Van Noten is a master of pattern, colour and detail. He puts things together that shouldn’t work, but they do. Take for example, this striped shirt. The simple addition of the fuchsia pink floral on the placket and around the hem lifts this into fashion artistry.

Left - Dries Van Noten - Ladderstitch Shirt - £535

I recently visited Dries Van Noten’s flagship store in Antwerp. The first Dries store I have ever been to. Opened in 1989, but built in 1881, it was formerly the 'Het Modepaleis' (the Fashion Palace) and is a listed landmark and historically home to a gentleman’s outfitters, a peer of Dries' grandfather. The wooden counters, tiled floors and wide curved windows - all of which are unique - helps the building retain it authenticity.

The lipstick red seats, dark wood floors and shelving made me instantly think ‘Paul Smith’. Dries Van Noten is Belgium’s Paul Smith, which seems so glaringly obvious I’m not sure how that didn’t cross my mind until now. The store is beautiful in its proportions and product. Men’s upstairs and small intimate rooms to explore and discover. It could get expensive in there.

It proves the importance of mono-brand retail, especially to designers with strong identities. It really helps you enter their world and understand it all in wonderful 360 degrees.

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