The 2020s thus far have been anything but ordinary and Dries Van Noten stays on trend with his out-of-the-box presentation for the Fall 2021 collection. An artistic video and accompanying series of avant garde photographs capture the garments in all of their motion and glory. 

Twisting, stretching, falling, reaching—models transform into interpretive dancers in a masterclass of exaggerated pose. The body is just as much a part of the presentation as the clothes themselves. On the stage of the deSingel theater in Van Noten’s native city, Antwerp, the simplistic set design allows these larger than life pieces to markedly stand out. 

Fancy night attire meets WFH comfy casual in this wide-ranging collection. A red sequin skirt paired with a red sweater lined in bright matching feathers on a model stumbling and swaying to the beat. Red lipstick smudges and fades at the edge of her lips, reminiscent of makeup at the end of long nights kissing strangers at the club. The video cuts to a similar red sequin dress that oozes 1980s glamor; the model stares pointedly at the camera in an expression of longing for the reopening of nightlife. Electric blue and metallic silver stiletto boots add an element of “extraness” to otherwise dressed-down outfits. A simple look of a denim maxi skirt and a red rose printed sweater dances alongside a pale beige oversized powersuit, synergizing a present-meets-past mishmash of workwear.

The Belgian designer stays true to edgy form in this pandemic-friendly two-fold visual presentation. Through dance and clothes, Van Noten expresses the pent up exasperation we all share about the current state of affairs. Until the world reopens, we’ll be cooped up at home in the red sequin dress daydreaming about the day we can finally show it off in public.

Check out Dries Van Noten’s FW 2021/22 collection here.