Dries Van Noten A/W 2018

Scene setting: The Belgian designer held his A/W 2018 runway show inside the main hall of the historic Hôtel de Ville, a building brimming with Renaissance splendour, ornate guilding and enormous chandeliers. The location provided a distinct contrast to the concept of Outsider Art which inspired the collection, only enhanced by the organ solo of Deep Purple’s ‘Child in Time’, the prog rock soundtrack of the show.

Mood board: Noten was inspired by the spontaneity and freedom of Outsider Art, and his typically eclectic collection featured outerwear and trouser suits printed with inky biro print squiggles, skirts and overcoats embellished with fronds of colourful marabou and plastic streamers, and shaggy Afghan outerwear. It was a collection rich in satin and jacquard, lame and lurex, with richness and resplendence encouraged for A/W 2018.

Finishing touches: There was a touch of the nineties to the Matrix style sunglasses which offset the ostentation of the collection. Noten also looked to the sculpture of Dada artist Jean Tinguely, whose machine mobiles featured industrial parts and tools, like cogs and screwdrivers. Miniature mobiles dangled from the ears of models, their necks swathed in marabou and their partings lined with single ostrich feathers, dyed to reflect the colours seen in the collection.