Fondazione Dries Van Noten Will Open in a Historic Venetian Palazzo

This May, Dries Van Noten acquired Palazzo Pisani Moretta, a 15th-century architectural fixture along Venice’s Grand Canal between the Rialto Bridge and Ca’ Foscari. Next April, the Belgian fashion designer and his longtime partner, Patrick Vangheluwe, will open doors to the palazzo after its transformation into Fondazione Dries Van Noten. A self-funded cultural nonprofit, the institution will spotlight craftsmanship and encourage dialogue around the contemporary artistic landscape through the work of artists, designers, architects, and pioneers in food and fashion.

The foundation follows Van Noten’s move away from his namesake brand—after 38 years—following the completion of its archive and the appointment of Julian Klausner as its creative director. Van Noten and Vangheluwe had long reflected upon what could come next, and contribute meaning to their lives. They kept returning to the idea of craftsmanship in the broadest sense. To them, Venice seemed like the perfect place to explore this. “Venice is more than a weekend destination; it’s a city full of life, from its markets to its young residents, with a one-of-a-kind cultural stimulus,” the couple shared in a statement.

“Fashion has given us so much, and now we want to give back to support craft, whether through ceramics, jewels, food, singing, or fashion itself,” they continued. “Through the Fondazione, we aim to develop a pulsing venue where artists and artisans can present their work, where students can engage in hands-on exploration, and where visitors experience making as an act of culture. It’s about nurturing an ecosystem that empowers craft, giving it visibility, relevance, and vitality in the age of machines and digital revolution, while connecting the city’s past, present, and future.”

The palazzo itself—built in the Venetian Gothic Fiorito style—will surely be a part of the dialogue Van Noten and Vangheluwe intend to encourage. Last restored in the late 20th century, the historic property retains original furnishings and artwork by Giambattista Tiepolo, Jacopo Guarana, Gaspare Diziani, and Giuseppe Angeli. It will soon undergo a renovation helmed by Venetian architect Alberto Torsello. Within, the foundation will host projects, educational programs and activities, presentations, and a residency.