CANAL PLUS: Spanish beauty and fashion firm Puig is further accompanying Dries Van Noten in his post-runway career, signing a three-year partnership with his new cultural venture in Venice.

Financial details were not disclosed regarding Puig’s support of the Fondazione Dries Van Noten, founded by Van Noten and Patrick Vangheluwe. It opened its doors officially on April 25 with an exhibition blending art, fashion and design.

“This partnership reflects a shared conviction between Puig and Dries Van Noten: creativity is a key driver of value, innovation and cultural impact,” Puig said in a statement Tuesday, adding it is “committed to the Fondazione’s mission of bringing together artists, designers, artisans and emerging talents through a curated program of presentations, residencies and educational initiatives, celebrating craftsmanship as a universal language and operating as an international platform for creative exchange.”

Van Noten, who sold his Antwerp-based fashion house to Puig in 2018, and retired from the runway in 2024, said the partnership “reflects a shared belief that creativity is not only at the heart of what we do, but also a powerful force for cultural expression.”

“After many years of collaboration, we are proud to partner with Puig in this new chapter and to continue our collaboration through an exciting project devoted to craftsmanship in Venice,” Van Noten added.

Jose Manuel Albesa, chief executive officer of Puig, said the agreement “reflects our enduring relationships with the founders of our Love Brands and our commitment to fostering creative expression in society. The Fondazione Dries Van Noten offers a platform where ideas, craftsmanship and artistic dialogue come together, generating lasting cultural impact and reinforcing our belief that creativity is a fundamental driver of value and meaning.”

“The Only True Protest is Beauty,” curated by Van Noten, unfurls across 20 rooms of the Palazzo Pisani Moretta, a 15th-century landmark on the Grand Canal.

On show are more than 200 works spanning art, design, craftsmanship and fashion, including looks by Christian Lacroix, Comme des Garçons and Ayham Hassan.