Cotton is a natural fibre valued for its breathability, softness and durability. Comfortable across a wide range of climates, it is one of the most widely used fibres in clothing and can be woven into fabrics ranging from crisp poplin to soft jersey.

Tweed is a woven fabric with a textured appearance, often created through the use of different-coloured or textured yarns. It can vary considerably in weight, surface and construction, from relatively smooth and refined fabrics to more substantial, visibly textured ones. Tweed can incorporate woven patterns such as herringbone, checks or other motifs, but these patterns do not define tweed itself. The fabric has strong historical associations with Britain and Ireland and became particularly influential in fashion through Gabrielle Chanel, who adopted tweed for womenswear from the 1920s onwards. Chanel transformed it from a traditionally masculine and practical fabric into a defining material of her fashion vocabulary, most famously in her iconic tweed jackets and suits.

Founded in Antwerp by Dries Van Noten, the brand is known for its sophisticated use of colour, prints, textiles and historical references. Dries Van Noten graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and presented his first menswear collection in 1986, later becoming one of the designers associated with the Antwerp fashion movement. His work is particularly recognised for combining refined tailoring with expressive fabrics and unexpected visual combinations.