19 Brands Like Dries Van Noten for Avant-Garde Fashion
If you’re a fan of Dries Van Noten, you appreciate fashion that feels more like wearable art. The brand's masterful mix of bold prints, innovative textiles, and sophisticated tailoring attracts those who want their clothes to have a point of view. It's eclectic, poetic, and effortlessly cool - a refined rebellion against the boring and basic.
For anyone looking to expand their closet with designers who share that same love for craftsmanship and avant-garde style, we've got you covered. From dark, conceptual visionaries to masters of minimalist luxury, here are 19 brands to explore next.
1. Marni
Marni brings a playful, artistic energy to fashion, focusing on bold prints, vibrant colors, and unexpected fabric combinations. Much like Dries Van Noten, Marni has a passion for eclectic patterns and artful details, but its vibe often leans more toward a whimsical, boho-luxe aesthetic. The brand is also a go-to for statement accessories that pack a punch.
2. Loewe
Known for its unreal leather craftsmanship and avant-garde designs, Spanish luxury house Loewe creates pieces that feel truly sculptural. While Dries Van Noten is celebrated for textiles, Loewe is the master of handbags and accessories that push creative limits. Both brands champion artistic expression, making Loewe a perfect stop for anyone seeking statement pieces that feel like modern art.
3. Ann Demeulemeester
A fellow member of the Antwerp Six, Ann Demeulemeester offers a darker, more poetic vision of fashion. Where Dries Van Noten uses color and print, Demeulemeester favors draped silhouettes and a rebellious, monochrome palette. It's an excellent choice for those who love avant-garde style but prefer a moody, gothic-inspired aesthetic.
4. Haider Ackermann
Haider Ackermann is all about luxurious fabrics, fluid tailoring, and a dark, elegant sensibility. His collections are known for beautiful layering and asymmetric cuts that create a sense of movement. While he shares Dries Van Noten’s sophisticated and experimental spirit, Ackermann’s work tends to be more subdued in color, focusing on rich textures over vibrant prints.
5. JW Anderson
JW Anderson perfectly marries playful, refined, and streetwear elements. The brand is beloved for its innovative shapes, surprising details, and a dynamic mix of textures, from exaggerated silhouettes to quirky statement bags. Like Dries Van Noten, JW Anderson challenges conventional shapes, but with a distinctly youthful and contemporary edge.
6. Sacai
Japanese label Sacai is the undisputed master of hybridization. Designer Chitose Abe brilliantly fuses different fabrics, textures, and garments into single, cohesive pieces. This deconstructed, layered aesthetic echoes Dries Van Noten’s love for clashing textiles, but Sacai takes it a step further with an experimental approach to form that is consistently striking and cool.
7. Berluti
Primarily a menswear brand, Berluti is famous for its exceptional leather goods and timeless tailoring. While its focus is more classic, the innovative use of rich patinas and textures - especially in its shoes and bags - shares a creative spirit with Dries Van Noten’s textile experimentation. For a touch of luxury with an artistic, crafted finish, Berluti is a must-see.
8. Rick Owens
Rick Owens is synonymous with a dark, avant-garde aesthetic. His signature lies in sculptural silhouettes, goth-futuristic vibes, and a predominantly monochrome palette. Like Dries, Owens is committed to personal artistic expression, but his vision is far more stark and rebellious. It’s for those who love fashion that makes a dramatic, unapologetic statement.
9. Craig Green
British designer Craig Green is celebrated for his conceptual menswear that feels almost architectural. Using innovative volume, straps, and thoughtful layering, he creates garments that are like wearable sculptures. His artistic and thought-provoking work has a similar appreciation for texture as Dries Van Noten, but with a more utilitarian and functionalist edge.
10. Jil Sander
Jil Sander represents minimalist luxury at its finest, known for clean lines, precise tailoring, and an understated elegance. While it’s the aesthetic opposite of Dries Van Noten’s pattern-heavy world, both brands appeal to a shopper who values superior craftsmanship. Jil Sander offers a pared-back alternative where quality and subtle detail do all the talking.
11. Yohji Yamamoto
A true icon of avant-garde fashion, Yohji Yamamoto is known for his poetic, oversized silhouettes and embrace of black. His designs play with asymmetry and fluidity, resulting in deeply conceptual, artful garments. He shares Dries Van Noten's ability to create wearable art, but his signature is defined by dramatic volume and a darker, intellectual mood.
12. Issey Miyake
Issey Miyake is world-renowned for developing groundbreaking textile techniques, particularly its signature pleating that creates sculptural shapes with incredible movement. This experimental approach to fabric innovation aligns perfectly with Dries Van Noten's love for texture, though Miyake's work often feels more futuristic and rooted in technology and functional form.
13. Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons is a pioneer of conceptual, deconstructed fashion. Founder Rei Kawakubo’s experimental take on shapes, fabrics, and layering shattered mainstream conventions decades ago and continues to innovate. The brand’s avant-garde approach is in a similar league to Dries Van Noten's, though CDG often veers into more radical and unconventional territory.
14. Acne Studios
The Stockholm-based brand Acne Studios mixes minimalist Scandinavian design with an artsy, fashion-forward perspective. Known for its perfect denim, high-quality knitwear, and cleverly tweaked silhouettes, Acne offers a more low-key take on avant-garde style. It's the ideal brand for modern, wearable pieces that still have a creative, intellectual edge.
15. The Row
The Row, founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, is the definition of quiet luxury. It’s significantly more minimalist than Dries Van Noten, but their shared devotion to impeccable tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and incredible craftsmanship makes them kindred spirits. If you appreciate the quality of Dries but seek a more refined, understated elegance, The Row is for you.
16. Celine
Under the creative direction of Hedi Slimane, Celine delivers a vision of sleek, modern luxury built on razor-sharp tailoring and powerful silhouettes. It’s a departure from the maximalist prints of Dries Van Noten, but Celine’s focus on high-quality materials and clean lines offers a polished, contemporary alternative for those who love expertly crafted, high-fashion investment pieces.
17. Vetements
Vetements is known for its rebellious, streetwear-heavy designs that play with oversized fits and cultural irony. Its deconstructed, boundary-pushing aesthetic offers a different flavor of avant-garde than Dries Van Noten’s artful elegance. Vetements is for those who want statement pieces with a tougher, more disruptive edge.
18. Maison Margiela
Maison Margiela is a master of deconstruction and conceptual fashion. The brand’s experimental use of unconventional materials and reconstructive techniques completely redefined luxury. Margiela’s focus on textile innovation is a strong parallel to Dries Van Noten's work, but its designs often embrace a more radical and artistic concept.
19. Bohme
Previously known as Bohême, Bohme is a brand with an expressive, artsy vibe that focuses on layered silhouettes and textured garments. Its boho-chic aesthetic, which champions handcrafted details and eclectic prints, offers a more accessible entry point for those drawn to the complex layering and textiles of designers like Dries Van Noten.
Written by
Ash Read
