Kris Van Assche

Kris Van Assche, a Belgian designer whose career is woven through with sharp tailoring and a distinctly modern edge, has made a name for himself by bridging heritage with forward-thinking design. His most recent chapter as Creative Director at Berluti sees him pushing the brand into new realms, balancing the house’s refined codes with a contemporary sensibility. Van Assche’s aesthetic is about more than just fashion—it’s about what’s next, always questioning, always evolving.

Van Assche first made waves at Dior Homme, where he helmed the menswear line for over a decade, crafting a narrative that meshed razor-sharp tailoring with urban cool. He brought streetwear influences into a traditionally formal space long before that crossover became mainstream. His collaborations with figures like A$AP Rocky and Oliver Sims captured a generation that was craving something fresh, and his reworking of Dior’s sartorial codes built a loyal following that saw the label move seamlessly between classicism and the zeitgeist.

After leaving Dior in 2018, Van Assche was quickly named Artistic Director at Berluti, taking over from Haider Ackermann. Berluti, traditionally rooted in fine leather craftsmanship, became his new canvas—and he wasted no time in adding his distinctive touch. His debut collection for Berluti in January 2019 was a quiet shift rather than a loud revolution, as he merged his love for sleek tailoring with Berluti’s artisanal heritage. With Italian stylist Mauricio Nardi joining him at the brand, Van Assche’s direction highlighted the Alessandro shoe—a classic reimagined through his lens, presented in a campaign that was both stark and evocative.

With every collection, Van Assche seems to capture a tension between past and future. His work is neither nostalgic nor dismissive of tradition; instead, he uses that history as a platform to elevate his vision—sharp, elegant, and unmistakably of today. At Berluti, he continues to redefine what classic menswear can mean, steering the label toward an audience that values craftsmanship but also has a keen eye on where fashion is headed next.