“DRIES VAN NOTEN” 90’s–Early 00’s Cashmere and silk layered belted cardigan

Known as one of the designers who graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in Belgium, DRIES VAN NOTEN has established worldwide acclaim with collections that fuse traditional tailoring with poetic material use. We are pleased to present a standout piece whose beautiful contrasts of different fabrics are truly captivating.

This exquisite piece features a bold combination of finely knit cashmere and lightweight silk chiffon.

The soft cashmere body is crafted with a rich, three-dimensional texture that conveys quiet warmth, while the silk chiffon layered seamlessly over it moves with the body, creating an airy expression. It is especially impressive how the materials themselves function as an integral part of the design.

The sleeves are made of semi-sheer silk chiffon, forming a visually natural layered effect by gently taking in the tone of the skin. At the same time, the structure heightens the contrast with the warmth of cashmere, allowing you to experience both serene elegance and a poetic mood.

The front is designed as a buttonless long cardigan. By tying the included belted waist belt, a gentle variation is created in the silhouette—enveloping the body softly while also presenting a structured form. This can be said to be a detail that reflects Dries’ calculated patternwork.

Even more noteworthy are the areas where the materials are joined. Because the boundary between cashmere and silk is crafted with delicate stitching that is close to raw-cut, it intentionally leaves an impression that is not overly finished—adding depth to the garment itself. This nuance, which could also be described as the beauty of incompleteness, reflects the ideas strongly seen in Dries van Noten’s collections from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

Let us touch on the period. The main label has the brand name in script Small, printed directly in the same color, and it is further accompanied by a Belgian woven care label that uses older-style laundry symbols. These features align with specifications used before today’s multilingual satin tags were adopted, so we can infer that the piece belongs to the transitional period from the late 1990s to around 2002. You can also feel the value of this as an archive from an era in which the designer’s personal design philosophy is unmistakably present.

We particularly recommend it for those who want to enjoy the poetic expression created by the contrast of materials, and for those seeking a garment that can speak to its individuality through structure and texture rather than excessive embellishment. It is a presence that will add quiet depth to your everyday style.

For styling, pairing it with slacks or simple dress pants with a beautiful drape will enhance this piece’s vertical line, and layered looks that let a light inner peek through are especially striking. Wearing it over flowing long skirts or minimalist dresses further emphasizes the contrast of materials, allowing you to complete a mode-inspired style that conveys quiet elegance, regardless of gender.

We invite you to consider this opportunity.