The creations of Dior Homme presented at Beijing's Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum deliver a feel of futuristic glamour. Photos provided to China Daily

Born in Belgium in 1976, Van Assche developed an interest in art and fashion since very young. After graduating from the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, he went to Paris in 1998, becoming an assistant to the world-famous designer Hedi Slimane in Yves Saint Laurent.

Van Assche's designs are deeply influenced by Slimane, who created a new image for menswear in the 1990s: slim and elegant. Slimane and Van Assche worked together for seven years before the latter assumed the position of Dior Homme's artistic director.

"The Dior Homme man of now looks to the future and is confident of this future," Van Assche says. "He might be wearing a slim-fit black suit, but it now has a more athletic silhouette. Now the Dior man works on who he can be and how to improve himself, both outwards and inwards. He is not nostalgic about the past, for an idea of lost youth, but is moving forward into the future."

When he was asked to pick one look for Chinese men, Van Assche says he will choose a well-tailored suit and a white shirt.

"These might seem obvious but, get the look right, and every man looks elegant and authoritative. And the third thing - a great pair of sneakers, a well-designed pair, made with the same care and attention as a formal shoe, elevates the casual into something very chic indeed," Van Assche adds.

Some critics say Van Assche has already added more masculine elements for Dior Homme, but he denied it. He says things have changed quite a bit since he was offered the job.

Although in the fashion world, Dior Homme is associated with the slim man look, Van Assche strongly insists there's no longer only one stereotypical look of "Dior Homme man".

"I like the idea we can dress both very demanding business men, who have eye for cut, detail and quality, and very young fashion fans, looking for strong identity pieces with high creativity," he says.

The 37-year-old is probably the best person for the position of Dior Homme's creative director. When asked what other career path he would take if he is not a fashion designer, he answers without hesitation: a florist - a job that requires attention to detail, elegance and patience.

That is a typical Dior Homme image.

gantian@chinadaily.com.cn