Kris Van Assche
Kris Van Assche | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 12, 1976 Londerzeel, Belgium |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Artistic director of Dior Homme (2007–2018), Creative director of Berluti (2018–2021) |
Kris Van Assche (born 12 May 1976) is a Belgian fashion designer recognized for his leadership roles in prominent fashion houses. He held the position of creative director at Berluti, a luxury leather goods brand under the LVMH group, from 2018 until 2021. Prior to that, he was the artistic director for Dior Homme between 2007 and 2018.
Early life and education
Van Assche was raised in Londerzeel, Belgium, situated between Antwerp and Brussels. From 1994 to 1998, he pursued studies in women’s fashion at the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
Initial stages
Following his graduation, Van Assche relocated to Paris in 1998, where he joined Yves Saint Laurent as the first assistant to Hedi Slimane on the Rive Gauche Homme line. He continued his collaboration with Slimane at Christian Dior, contributing to the Dior Homme collection until September 2004. In January 2005, he introduced his own menswear line during Paris Men's Fashion Week.
KRISVANASSCHE, 2005–2015
Alongside his work at Dior, Van Assche established his eponymous label in 2005. The first KRISVANASSCHE store opened in June 2013 in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, featuring an interior designed by Ciguë.
In 2012 and 2013, KRISVANASSCHE collaborated with American denim brand Lee (jeans) to produce two limited-edition capsule collections.
By May 2015, confronted with critical challenges and competition from rising London designers such as J.W.Anderson and Christopher Shannon, Van Assche announced a temporary suspension of his label due to difficulties maintaining an independent brand.
Dior Homme, 2007–2018
Van Assche served as artistic director for Dior Homme from April 2007 through March 2018.
Berluti, 2018–2021
In April 2018, Van Assche was named creative director of luxury label Berluti, part of LVMH, succeeding Haider Ackermann. His inaugural collection for Berluti debuted in January 2019.
During the 2019 Design Miami event, Van Assche partnered with art dealer François Laffanour to showcase seventeen restored pieces of Pierre Jeanneret furniture reupholstered using Berluti’s signature Venezia leather.
On 21 April 2021, Van Assche announced via Instagram his exit from Berluti’s artistic directorship. Reflecting on his three-year tenure amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasized his commitment to redefining the brand’s identity and craftsmanship. His final collection for Berluti was titled "Living Apart Together."
Subsequent endeavors
In 2021, Van Assche took on a mentorship role for the Master in Creative Direction program at Polimoda fashion school located in Florence, Italy.
In 2022, he designed a collection for Chinese children’s apparel brand Balabala, aimed at boys and girls aged three to fourteen.
Style
Van Assche finds creative inspiration in figures such as Jean Cocteau, noted for timeless coats and distinctive eccentricity; Pina Bausch, recognized for her iconic dance boots; as well as actors Sean Penn and Johnny Depp.
Personal life
Residing in Paris, Van Assche is the owner of two Siamese cats named Frida and Diego, after artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. He is proficient in French, Dutch, and English.
External links
- Kris Van Assche Official site