Just forty-eight hours after captivating Paris Fashion Week with a spring 2027 ready-to-wear collection that is already being hailed as one of his finest achievements to date, designer Julian Klausner sat down at the Vogue France offices to unpack the creative forces driving the legendary house. The conversation, recorded for an episode of The Run-Through, offers an intimate look into Klausner’s design philosophy, his homage to cinematic glamour mixed with everyday practicality, and the deep institutional memory that keeps the brand vibrant decades after its inception.
Speaking with Nicole from Vogue, Klausner reflected on the immediate public and critical reaction to the spring 2027 lineup. The collection has struck a unique chord among fashion critics and industry insiders alike, blending effortless luxury with a distinct sense of modern reality. When asked to capture the essence of the latest garments, Klausner shared a striking observation made by a close confidante just a day prior to the interview.
“Yesterday, a friend of mine said that she saw it as ‘movie star meets picking up the kids,’” Klausner says, describing the sensibility of the latest Dries collection. “I like to imagine what Marilyn Monroe would be looking like today if she had to run errands after a day of filming.”
This playful juxtaposition of high-wattage silver-screen glamour and the mundane, grounded realities of daily life forms the beating heart of the spring 2027 ready-to-wear line. It asks the wearer to embrace a narrative where extraordinary elegance does not need to be locked away for red-carpet events or exclusive galas. Instead, the collection champions the idea that the magic of fashion can—and should—accompany the wearer through the ordinary moments of a busy day, merging the extraordinary with the accessible in a seamless sartorial statement.
When the conversation shifted toward the broader ethos and foundational identity of the Dries Van Noten label, Klausner emphasized that joy and individuality remain paramount. The brand has long been celebrated for its artistic prints, rich texturing, and uncompromising commitment to independent creative expression. Under Klausner’s direction, that legacy continues to thrive while adapting to contemporary cultural shifts.
“I think the playfulness and the invitation to be a little bit extra with your clothes is very much what we stand for,” Klausner explains.
This commitment to being “a little bit extra” is not merely an ephemeral styling trick; it is woven into the very fabric of the house’s daily operations and creative environment. Klausner spends a significant amount of time studying the extensive house archives, immersing himself in the historical silhouettes, fabrics, and prints that built the Dries Van Noten name over the decades. Yet, for Klausner, the history of Dries is not confined to static museum boxes or climate-controlled storage facilities. It is a living, breathing entity that he witnesses walk through the studio doors every single morning.
“We have a lot of colleagues that have been there for decades,” he tells Nicole, highlighting the remarkable institutional loyalty and creative continuity within the company. “People are constantly wearing pieces from the ’90s or 2000s.”
This living archive provides a unique feedback loop for the design team. Seeing archival pieces worn effortlessly by colleagues in the modern workplace validates the timelessness of the brand’s design ethos. It proves that the clothing created under the Dries Van Noten banner possesses a longevity that transcends fleeting seasonal trends, becoming cherished wardrobe staples that hold their value, relevance, and charm across multiple generations of wearers.
As the episode unfolds, the scope of The Run-Through broadens to capture the bustling, multifaceted energy of Paris Fashion Week from multiple perspectives. Producer Chelsea Daniel takes listeners behind the scenes, catching up with Chloe for a quick fit check and discussing the various high-profile shows she has attended since arriving in the French capital. The vibrant atmosphere of Paris during fashion month is further explored through interviews with prominent cultural figures and industry talents. Listeners hear directly from Jordan Roth following the highly anticipated Schiaparelli presentation, gaining unique insights into the theatricality and boundary-pushing artistry of that specific runway. Additionally, the episode goes backstage at the Chloé show, featuring a conversation with the lead hairstylist to uncover the beauty trends, techniques, and inspirations that complemented the ready-to-wear designs on the runway.
Through these diverse conversations, the latest episode of The Run-Through paints a comprehensive picture of Paris Fashion Week, anchored by Julian Klausner’s visionary work for Dries Van Noten and supported by the rich tapestry of voices shaping the contemporary fashion landscape.
