Even before Kris Van Assche founded his eponymous line in 2004, he was known as a principal designer in women's and men's fashion. Educated at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, Van Assche earned his bachelors in fashion design in 1998 and then moved to Paris to work with Hedi Slimane at Yves Saint Lauren. He later honed his skills at Dior Homme before showing his original men's designs in 2005. In 2006, Van Assche introduced womenswear alongside his men's collection. In addition to heading up his own label, Van Assche also acts as the artistic director of Dior Homme and participates in exhibits, charity events, and special collaborations. His designs are noted for their refined balance of poetic masculinity, historical elements, and modernism.