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SENNES combines Portuguese and Belgian tradition, high-sustainable Portuguese Wool & Belgian Linen, two noble, ecological fibers with opposite natural characteristics as guiding principles towards function and shape.
SENNES is globally inspired by climate change in nature and culture, therefore conceived as an annual wardrobe. A continuous developing collection where with every series of bags & garments, high quality woven fabrics, know-how and skills from ethno cultural origins are studied and subsequently interpreted in each individual pattern language.
A sustainable brand with a focus on uniquely textile crafted design. The human collective culture is our inspiration to create new collection items; each new design is a genuine attempt to open up new perspectives to intercultural dialogue.
Nele De Block
Art Director and founder Nele De Block is Belgian and studied Textile Design at ENSAV La Cambre, Brussels.
She develops her passion and technical skills for weaving at first as a textile designer for automotive.
She then becomes Art Director for BETET SKARA: (Antwerp, 1999-2007) originally created as a social integration program for political Assyrian refugees. In this weaving studio she conducts the process of woven prototyping and production for fashion designers, artists and architects such as Haider Ackermann, Christian Wynants, Bruno Pieters, Stijn Helsen, Tim Van Steenbergen, Bernhard Willhelm, Dries Van Noten and Peter Pilotto.
Simultaneous she teaches Textile Design at Saint Lucas Art School Ghent and is trend forecaster for the Textile Industry.
SENNES is setup in 2010, when Nele is introduced in Portugal as a textile designer to one of the last remaining traditional wool weavers of the Serra da Estrela region.
Since SENNES combines Portuguese and Belgian tradition, high-sustainable Portuguese Wool & Belgian Linen, two noble, ecological fibers with opposite natural characteristics as guiding principles towards function and shape.
Hofstraat 5 Antwerp 2000 Belgium
Eric Beauduin
Eric BeauduinMore Info
Eric Beauduin started working with second hand materials ten years ago.
This decision was more instinctively than from an ecological conviction and he dissected old clothes to make bags.
The details and secrets of clothes and accessories such as pockets, buttonholes, lining and reinforcements have always caught his interest more than the overall aspect of clothes.
Initially he used clothes in fabric, men’s suit, shirts, coats, but quickly moved on to leather clothes.
The patina of a used leather trench, bomber or jacket gives the soul of his accessories.
Season after season he invents hand made bags with techniques coming from clothes tailoring and leather goods traditions.
Each piece is an experiment. The original clothes pockets, seams and details, the different leathers,
the colors of the passed fashion are transposed into the bags.
The shapes and the use of the bags change following the demands and desires, but the concept is always the same.
Everything is made in the designer’s house in Brussels.
Impossible to duplicate a piece.
A limited production of by number labeled pieces.
Few sofisticated selling points in Belgium, France, Japan, USA.
Should this be named slow fashion?
THINGS
All bags are cut in second hand leather jackets, trenches, bombers, skirts.
The handles, slings, straps, piping are made in the same leather.
The material is all kinds of soft and smooth leather such as lamb’s leather, calfskin, goat’s leather used in manufacturing leather clothes.
The leather is usually lined with fabric.
Some of the models are reinforced with felt inside.
The inside is made with the same leather and a black “pocketting” fabric so that keys or sharp metal
objects don’t cause any damage.
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OUR STORY
From discarded flags to unique and sustainable gadgets
Anyone holding a Flagbag item will immediately see that it is a unique creation. And a sustainable one, because the hip gadgets we make are the result of upcycling and social employment. Whether it’s a bicycle bag, a laptop sleeve or something else, our creations are all living proof that sustainability and design can indeed go hand in hand.
Smart recycling
As an upcycling project, Flagbag is a textbook example of the cradle-to-cradle principle. We use discarded flags, pennants and sails, which would otherwise end up on the waste mountain, and we give them a new life as a hip design object in a smart and unique way. We use the flags and sails as raw materials for unique shoulder bags, bicycle bags or toilet bags. We also try to recover the other raw materials, such as zippers, as much as possible from old textiles. Even the sewing machines we work with are second-hand. In this way we contribute to a better environment and a smaller mountain of waste.
We strive for a 100% local product. We keep the distance from raw material to finished product as small as possible so that the impact on the environment is also as small as possible. The flags and sails come from municipalities and companies in Belgium and are processed in a local workshop by local workers.
Social employment
In addition to an upcycling project, Flagbag is also a training and social employment project: we help people who find it difficult to find work on the regular job market. Our employees, people from disadvantaged groups, use a sewing machine to convert the old flags and sails into bicycle bags, shoulder bags and other unique items. They derive great job satisfaction from the responsibility they are given to us and are justifiably proud of their creations. And who knows, thanks to the work and training they receive at Flagbag, they may grow into the mainstream economy.
Who is behind Flagbag?
Flagbag is an initiative of De Springplank vzw. De Springplank vzw is a tailor-made company: our core task is to offer tailor-made work and support to people who find it difficult to find a job on the regular labor market. In this way they find meaningful daytime activities, financial security and job satisfaction. Thanks to this work experience and the broadening of their competences, they often find a regular job after a few years through a transfer process.
In order to give as many people as possible a tailor-made job, De Springplank vzw is active in various domains: recycling activities “Okazi”, upcycling with Flagbag, recycling with Creazi, assembly of (company) bicycles with Velovisie, rental and maintenance of bicycles via bicycle paradise Limburg. be, operation of bicycle points at the stations of Genk, Hasselt, Sint-Truiden and on the Portavida Welfare Campus in Genk and the concept store with vintage loft Hendrikshuis in the center of Hasselt.
Stadsheide 2 Hasselt 3500 Belgium
Krjst
KrjstFabrieksstraat 15/19 Zaventem 1930 Belgium
Acie’s Cabinet
Acie’s CabinetMore Info
Handmade. Unique. Belgian.
Hi!
Welcome to Acie’s Cabinet.
First of all, I would like to thank you for taking your time to visit my website. I really appreciate it.
My name is Amber. I’m a bookworm, cat lover and potterhead; I’m a creative soul and am a fan of nordic noir (or ‘noir’ in general, really 😉).
In 2017 I started my small company Acie.
In this digital cabinet, you can find all manner of accessories for yourself, your house or your family and friends.
After having received multiple trainings (fashion design, historical costume, leather works and bookbinding), I combine different trades in unique items.
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There are certain choices I make for ecological reasons. In my personal life, this means I never travel by aeroplane (or, indeed, seldom travel at all), and in my professional life as well, I strive to have a low impact on the environment.
The number of items I produce out of one particular fabric is limited, and never will two accessories look 100% alike. Because I create items in small amounts, it is perfectly possible to create different kinds of accessories with one fabric. I design and make everything in my atelier in Belgium.
Most items are packed in upcycled boxes, and are shipped with pre-used packaging as much as possible.
Materials
The fabrics I use are purchased or designed in small amounts. Not only does this intensify the uniqueness of the accessories, it also means I have very little “waste”. I save all the scraps of fabric that are left from projects, to create new pieces with later on.
Furthermore, I buy from local shops and fairs and often go to factory sales, to rescue fabric that would otherwise be thrown away.
Linen is one of my favourite materials to work with. Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant. This plant does not attract a lot of harmful insects, which means farmers don’t have to use pesticides to protect their harvest.
Flax needs very little water and produces a lot of fibres. Isn’t that just great?!
Leather is a material that is often not considered environmentally friendly. There are a lot of chemicals involved in the tanning process. However, there are a few steps we can take to make it a bit less harmful:
The leather I use to create bow ties with, are scraps from a shoemaking factory. The leftover pieces are too small to cut into shoe panels, but are perfect for the creation of bow ties! Zero waste fashion: check!
If I need bigger pieces of leather, I go to local shops to purchase leather that is already on hand. This means leather is never ordered or designed especially for me. Sometimes I even get the chance to find some second hand rescue leather, which always makes me very happy! The scraps from these hides are also saved to produce small items with, for example The Book Manager.
If leather is cared for properly, it will last many, many years. By buying less but better, we can all help a little in our ‘Save the planet’-mission!
Schooling
As mentioned above, I received multiple trainings:
Fashion design
Bookbinding
Leatherworks
Furthermore, I did courses in millinery, historical costume, and I learnt how to mend clothes.
I always continue to learn. I think it is important to keep improving your skills, and thanks to the combination of courses, I’ve learnt a few tricks of the trade. Or, rather, trades 😉.
Please roam freely! The pictures on this website show the kind of items I usually make. You can place an order in my webshop.
If you see an item you like, but would prefer a different colour or material, don’t hesitate to contact me for a custom order.
See you soon!
Amber
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How it started
The name Hedgren was taken from Xavier Kegels’ beloved grandmother, Elisabeth Hedgren.
Her down-to-earth nature, open-minded spirit, and passion for intuitive design were passed on through Xavier’s DNA. They are what make Hedgren the brand it is today.
Global family
We’re not just a global network, we’re a global family.
With 7 offices and a network of 3,000 points off sale in more than 50 countries, we have developed a solid global network. As an inclusive brand, we see this network and our partners as an extension of our family, sharing the same values, investing in collaborations and believing in the power of local knowledge and execution.
7 offices worldwide
+ 50 countries
3000 points of sales
Our values
Regardless of in-between distances, within our global network we will always be connected by the 6 values that lie embedded in our Hedgren DNA. And we will always be open to include everybody
who shares our values in our family circle. Therefore we look at people with an open mind. We respect their personality and personal style and we’re always ready to fulfil their desire to belong.
We value
INTUITIVE DESIGN
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
SMART FUNCTIONALITY
We are
DOWN-TO-EARTH
ENERGETIC
INCLUSIVE
Move
We want everybody to be free to move
It’s our mission to create essential bags and travel gear with smart functionality that helps you handle everyday adventures without compromising on your personality or freedom to move.
We promise that you will become part of an inclusive community that creates and embraces an endless portion of wanderlust.
We help you to get the most out of life by enabling your freedom of movement.
Designed for
Designed for the true hedgrenist
Our consumers are not looking for the most… or the best… but what offers the most, or the best… for THEM.
What helps them get the most out of life without making compromises. Hedgren designs essential bags and travel gear to enable our consumers to realise the perfect balance between work and play.
The true Hedgrenist wants to use products that express their style every moment of the day, in every possible situation.
Ankerrui 2 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
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About Us
Our story is one about great things. About handy things. About beautiful things.
But above all, about friendship. About four childhood friends who found each other in an unbridled passion for quality and craftsmanship. At Comme Quatre there are therefore few restrictions. We just make what feels true to us. No extravagant fuss, but unarticulated simplicity. With the feeling of being a bit special.
We like to design everyday objects such as a stylish handbag, spectacle box, key ring, wallet, wallet or handkerchief with a few striking features such as the graceful cowhides. A creative trait that we like to mix with our insatiable hunger for adventure, variety and entrepreneurship. Talent is present as well. Each in his or her own way. And love. Lots of love. For each other and for the products we create, and that’s a fact.
Our Story
exquisite & honestly handmade
Not only a brand, Comme Quatre is a creative, playful and human project. All our products are handmade by traditional craftsmen whom we admire for their knowhow, entrepreneurship and courage. Together we create a sustainable product.
#nowaste
A Comme Quatre handbag, just like a pair of glasses, key ring, wallet, wallet or pouch is a nice example of upcycling. Say again? Upcycling goes just a little further than recycling: transforming old and allegedly unusable materials into something valuable and often more beautiful than before. In this way, our cowhides are upcycled from meat waste into a sustainable material that lasts for years and can be broken down by nature after use. The hides are also tanned plant-based, i.e. without the addition of harmful substances.
timeless class
Six collections a year? Not for us. By designing our cowhide accessories to look beyond the latest trends, they are wearable every season. Slow fashion it is. Quality leather products are handmade by traditional craftsmen. For example, a handbag, spectacle case, key ring, wallet or pouch by Comme Quatre is not only fashionable, but also durable.
unique
Each accessory guarantees 100% supple leather and natural cowhide. Each with their own unique print and ditto character. The pattern of the cowhides are different for each accessory, due to the colour differences in the coat of the cow. So every handbag, spectacle case, key ring, wallet or pouch from Comme Quatre is slightly different and always gives a distinctive touch to your outfit.
Our Team
Miloud, chief workshop
“Working with natural products is what I have done all my life. More than 15 years have I been working in this atelier. I am in charge of overseeing the production process, creation of the malls, cutting the hides and leather, and the final inspection of the finished goods.”
Fatima, artisan
“I am the youngest of our team and still in ’training’, learning how to prepare the different components of our products for the knitting team. I love the fact that we start with a cowhide and finish with a bag or accessory which will be cherished by someone for many years. ”
Mbark, artisan
“I have been working in this workshop for more than 15 years. I am mainly in charge of the different knitting machines which we use on leather, cowhide and tissues. I love this variation in my job, and like the fact that we can participate in the creation process of the products.”
Belaid, artisan
“I have been working for more than 10 years in this workshop, but I have been in the fashion industry all my life. I am in charge of assembling the products. I like the interaction between the craftmen and the fact we actively participate in the design and creation process ”
Hafida, artisan
“I am assisting Mbark and Belaid in the preparation of the different parts they need to assemble, in between the different stages of the production, I implement the zippers and closures. I like the fact we create beautiful products.”
Our Values
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Back to essentials
PURE MATERIALS
The more durable pieces are the ones we treasure. ‘They grow on you’. Natural materials absorb the traces of our life and leave a personal patina. They will look better the more you wear them.
Every piece will be unique with it’s natural marks. This is a sign of quality.
UNIQUE
There are as many unique DCEMBER bags, as there are unique women. Just like the interior of your house, you start from a base and accessorise according to your mood or season.
Beloved objects become icons for what we stand for.
CONSCIOUS
The way we consume makes us aware how we love and treat life. All our bags are handcrafted in Italy by local artisans and all materials are treated naturally.
With DCEMBER you choose for a transparent production process which is kind to people and environment.
“A DCEMBER bag is a lifetime piece with endless possibilities day by day, all over again.”
Who we are
DCEMBER is an Antwerp (Belgium) based design label founded by designer Florien Pénard and her husband Olivier.
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
My inspiration stems from my walk of life. Born in the magic month of December, the love for pure materials was passed on to me from a very young age. Like the scent of wooden art objects carved by my father. Or the soft touch of the leather handbag my grandmother made herself.
WHEN DID YOU START DESIGNING?
Graduating from the academy of fine arts in the Netherlands, I pursued my passion for design at Kenzo in Paris and later on as lead designer at Dirk Bikkembergs in Italy.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THIS COLLECTION?
When my kids, Zoé and Louie, started personalizing their saddle leather schoolbags, I started thinking … “I want that too!”
A companion, that is an extension of my personality and adapts to every season and occasion.
DCEMBER was born…
Florien Pénard
Ateliers & flagship store Rue de Laeken 86 Lakensestraat Brussels 1000 Belgium
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WE ARE PRINT MAKERS,
WE DESIGN EXCLUSIVE PATTERN FOR FASHION BRANDS AND DESIGNERS. WE CREATE STRONG URBAN GRAPHIC PATTERN INSPIRED FROM LIFE STYLE.
31 rue de Lausanne Brussels 1060 Belgium