Dries Van Noten, specializes in
traditional styles, using unusual
colors, pattern mixtures and
unexpected details. Right, Van Noten
wears a cashmere check jacket and
patterned vest front his winter
collection. Below, inspired by British
India, he teams a long, narrow linen
jacket with oversized Bermuda shorts.
All photographs by Peggy Fox.

an effort to stimulate young
designers, an annual competi-
tion for the newly created
Canette D'Or ("Golden Spindle')
award was initiated.
The resulting first generation
of Belgian designers are a
diverse group of six who hap-
pen to be friends, having been
classmates at the acclaimed
Royal Academy of Arts in Ant-
werp. They kept in touch after
graduation, and now share
showroom space in an elegant
albeit dilapidated townhouse in
the old section of Antwerp.
Of the "Six of Antwerp," as
they have come to be called,
the best known and most com-
mercial is Dries Van Noten, a
29-year old designer whose
family has been in the fashion
industry for three generations.
Right now, Van Noten is trying
to meet the demand for his
clothes, which are carried by
Bloomingdale's, Barney's and
Bergdorf Goodman in New York
as well as other chic shops in
Los Angeles, Tokyo, Italy and
England.
His collection for summer
1988 is themed "Plain Tales
from the Rag." Inspired by
British India 1858-1947, the
clothes mix British and Indian
elements. Van Noten designed
all the fabrics used in the col-
lection, principally linens,
transparent cottons, and wools
blended with silk and linen.
Van Noten is known for his
unusual color combinations,
such as teaming green, brown
and navy. He is also, he says,
"a maniac for nice finishing and
nice detailing. My philosophy is
to make it as nice as possible. I