The quills over at Interview Magazine have delivered a short but informative piece on eclectic Belgian designer Dries Van Noten and his Spring 2012 collection. Van Noten explains why he thrives on limitations, why David Bowie is a great muse and what it means to grow witch hazel in winter.

The article also paints an exciting picture of the new collection: “… the juxtapositions between imagination and practicality abound: technical sportswear fabrics like paper-thin nylon are paired with elegant, slender leather belts or a silk jumpsuit; shorts are placed over pants in a subtle reference to the functionality of a fly-fisherman’s uniform; and a bright yellow raincoat is decorated with black adhesive bonding on the outside instead of its interior.” We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more looks.

Photography by Matthew Brookes

More looks in our gallery…

A Spring Summer 2012 leather tote from Dries Van Noten. Horizontal beige and brown stripes, adjustable straps, cotton lined with an interior pocket. This sizable carrier has a ice cream sandwich feel which seems appropriate given the season. The navy canvas trim around the zipper is a nice touch. Available in black and purple, find it at LN-CC

Click for images.

We have to admit to being a little seduced by the name here. Be honest though, it’s the same for everyone, be it Nigel Cabourn or Lanvin. And who wouldn’t want a bit of Dries in their wardrobe? And if you are gonna make a seductive purchase, you might as well pick a staple instead of an ostentatious piece you’ll fall out of love with in a couple of months. (LN-CC)

Chelsea boots seem to be a bit of a constant as far as footwear trends go and if they were good enough for George Lucas’ stormtroopers (thanks wikipedia) they’re good enough for us. This pair by Dries has a little more stomp then your average dressy Chelsea, a heavy rubber commando sole making them any weather ready. 100% vegetable tan leather, cow hide lining, these handsome Made In Italy boots can be found at Tres Bien.

This Dries van Noten delivery for Autumn 2011 gives a bit of detail to the common polo sweater. he two-button closure applied color to the lapel and button line. Most likely a quality garment and well fitted for today’s man. Thecorner.com has them.

More looks after the click.

Is it a coincidence that we felt the urge to listen to some Michael Jackson when we saw this jacket? We think not. While the king (or as its correctly spelled, kang) of pop isn’t here to wear this we’re sure this is something he’d be into. And if it’s good enough for the kang, it’s good enough for us. (LN-CC)

So are we out of season or visionaries brought from the future? Obviously the latter.  Although we’re starting to see ‘fashion’ brands get a bashing from the mens style clique, even they like a bit of Dries. The fact that it’s a relatively subdued jumper in comparison to, say, a Band of Outsiders fur coat doesn’t hurt either. (LN-CC)

Lovers of the chunkier sole, look away……now. Okay, now those of you who are looking for a less weighty sole can cop a look at this Dries numbers. There’s less of a twist on these than, say, the shoes with brighter than bright contrast soles but they’re still interesting enough to grab our attention. While most designer shoes aren’t known for their versatility, you could wear these with anything from a fashunz outfit to a calm navy suit. And, hey, if you’re gonna pay good money for something, it should be suitable for more than one occasion. (Autograph)

I can see Jason in this one, less so Nick. The Veber from Dries Van Noten is an interesting waist coat which blends two cotton twills well. The shoulder and arms are highlighted in a toned beige against a stronger beige color on the body. Tres Bien has it.

More looks after the click.

We’re all about the footwear this morning. This time it’s a more casual pair of trainers from Dries. It’s more of a wardrobe-improver than a game-changer but it looks good – and that’s all we want from a trainer. It is Dries Van Noten though, so expect the price tag to reflect that. You’ve been warned. (Farfetch)