DOSSIER DRIES
Archival field note on the soundtrack to Dries Van Noten’s ss23 womenswear collection.
I’m all ears. . . Archival field note on the soundtrack to Dries Van Noten’s ss23 womenswear collection.
Up to now, I’d only ever considered the audible side of things through the lens of fashion’s inherent soundtrack, generated by garments and their fabric. However, keeping in mind the notion of worldbuilding many designers are dedicated to, it seemed only right to equally consider the actual soundtrack by which the looks are debuted to the world. No sooner said than done, I decided to see what my findings would be, the Dries Van Noten ss23 womenswear collection chosen as my case study.
notes:
odd, unfamiliar
That’s what springs to mind as I’m about to ‘watch’ the show. For the next few minutes, it will be my ears that lay eyes on these silhouettes’ debut. Their first impressions gradually translated to a holographic depiction of what it is I’m – for now – unable to witness with my eyes. My sensorial anticipation narrowed down to one sense only.
For now, I’m all ears...
Before the very first tone has even had the time to be fully registered, I’m already in query as to what type of silhouettes could be flaunting the space.
Going by the echoing sound of heels [heels heels],
I’m imagining an open space.
There’s a certain rhythmic repetition to the music.
But certainly not a sound I was expecting.
Could the same be true for the looks?
A collection still embedded in the Dries DNA,
yet in some way different or unexpected?
But then the music picks up yet in some way different or unexpected?
Another layer is added, evoking in me a brief moment
of recollection, although I can’t pinpoint it.
h
a
n
g
i
n
a
n
g
i
n
g
Have I indeed heard something similar before, or is my mind just playing tricks on me? Are the looks shown at this very moment met with a similar kind of familiarity reflected in the gaze of those present in the room? Or am I just overthinking it all at this point?
Nevertheless, I can’t
s h a k e
the feeling
that this show is somehow meant as a benchmark of orientation when it comes to the house’s DNA. The audience at first apprehensive, perhaps even a bit lost, in the dark as to it all. But bit by bit [or better, beat by beat], provided with audible leads to slowly get
back
on
track.
And sure enough, before the first words have even been fully uttered, it all clicks. My episodic memory didn’t fail me, as I was right in thinking I recognised the sound. None other than...
BLONDIE!
At this point, I’m confident that the audible buildup somehow must find an equal in the collection itself. I imagine that by now the room is filled with a medley of vibrant colours and floral motives. Whereas at the very beginning, the room must have looked a whole lot different, understated and toned down
dark colours, perhaps even veiled in
all black
intigued as to how [in]accurate my notes were...
show disclosed on the DVN website under ‘silent archives’
the sound quite [or better, quiet] literally stripped
show with soundtrack disclosed on the DVN YouTube Channel
dec.2024