Johanne Riss
Johanne Riss
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JOHANNE RISS
The designer, Johanne Riss, grew up in Paris and she settled in Brussels, Capital of Europe, where she established her head-office in 1988 and still designs with passion.
As a modern woman, strengthened by her experience, Johanne Riss offers all her subtlety for the expression of a timeless femininity. Her Style translates at all levels; ready-to-wear, bridal gowns, evening dresses, accessories and jewelry. Her strength: black and white, to which a multitude of colors are added every season. As an active woman, her creations perfectly meet the requirements of the today’s women with her well-studied stretch fabrics, combined with chiffon, silk and guipure lace accessories, giving a couture look of rare refinement to her elegant creations. All her clothes are meticulously created in her own workshop, located in the mother-house in Brussels, allowing quick and easy semi-measure tailored or fully tailored adjustments.
As a perfectionist, she leaves no detail to chance and follows her creations from design to manufacture and sometimes until the dressing of her clients.
Her creations flawlessly evoke lightness, transparency and purity.
THE HOUSE
2013 Johanne Riss online: bringing our customers, from Belgium and abroad, added satisfaction and convenience when placing their orders, which can now be done remotely.
For those not in the know, Johanne Riss offers Timeless clothing with pure lines and a feminine and elegant look created using its stretch fabrics, which are, of course, environmentally friendly. We want every woman to be beautiful and sensual while also feeling good, and for that we make our outfits as comfortable as possible. Wrinkle-resistant and machine washable at 30°, they are highly appreciated for their easy care and they travel well too.
All of our products are made in our workshop at the company’s headquarters and boutique in Brussels, giving them the ‘Made in Belgium’ quality mark.
Naturally, the boutique also holds a few exclusive items only sold in-store, and also offers a semi-made-to-measure service. All customers are welcome to visit this magical place.
We hope you enjoy your visit and find that perfect something in our new online store.
THE FABRIC
Johanne Riss’s collections are all made of stretch fabrics and designed in order to perfectly respond to contemporary women’s expectations.
Other top-end materials are also combined in order to draw sensual and timeless lines. This fabric fits perfectly all shapes like a second skin. Its stretch material is highly comfortable and allows a perfect ventilation of the clothing with a perpetual sensation of freshness. Suitable for both summer and winter. And requires low maintenance (30°C washing machine without ironing) and is ideal for travel (light and uncrushable)
Johanne Riss is also committed to sustainable development. The fabric’s production process requires 20% less energy and 50% less water than other similar stretch materials
“1 meter of fabrics purchased = 1 meter of rain forest protected.”
The objective is to preserve the Yaboti Biosphere, a reserve with a high concentration of rare species and vegetation located in Argentina.
Rue du Mail, 17 Ixelles 1050 Belgium
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ABOUT US
Atelier Felis creates unique accessories out of recycled leather. By buying the products from Atelier Felis you support a small business owner who puts her time, energy and passion into creating an ecologically responsible product. You’re not only buying a nice and high-quality product that can be used for years to come, but you are also supporting a sustainable project.
We begin our design process by looking at materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. “Rather than starting with what could we make?” we start with “what can we make with the ‘waste’ that we sourced”.
Atelier Felis only uses 100% recycled leather. This leather can be reclaimed from discarded, damaged or out of fashion garments. But can also come from old couches or are remnants from the leather industry that would otherwise end up in the waste stream. All the materials we use also look great and are designed to last.
Because Atelier Felis only works with recycled leather, every piece is one-of-a-kind. There are only small amounts of each type of leather or color, making each piece a new experiment. Because of this our products are always limited and unique. This provides you with an alternative to mass-produced bags and accessories.
From start to finish, every item is Made in Belgium, in our studio in Antwerp. Atelier Felis resolutely opts for small, sustainable collections in a limited edition. We are committed to working locally and doing all the design and production in-house, with a focus on both function and style. We also take steps to keep the waste in our studio to a minimum. We make every scrap count!
MISSION
Founded with the aim of enhancing sustainable production, Atelier Felis shows that we can transform waste materials into timeless and functional items that don’t chase trends and stand the test of time. All our products are made with leather sourced from post-consumer waste stream and industrial surplus. Starting with used leather garments and discarded leather due to damages or fashion trends we make beautiful, timeless accessories that are environmentally responsible at the same time.
Each and every Atelier Felis item is fully created, start to finish, in our studio in Antwerp, Belgium. We are committed to staying local and all the design and manufacturing is done in house.
Vaartdijk 53, Wijnegem 2110 Belgium
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History
1930 BIRTH OF THE NATAN HOUSE
Creation of the Couture House Paul Natan.
1957 Edouard Vermeulen is born in Ypres on March 4, 1957. He graduates as an interior designer from Saint-Luc college, which introduces him to the world of volumes and materials.
1983
AVENUE LOUISE 158
In his search for a gallery to display his first discoveries, Edouard Vermeulen rents a space in the Couture House Paul Natan, Avenue Louise. A few years later, he takes over the House under the new name NATAN.
1986 FIRST RUNWAY SHOW
NATAN’s first show, with Princess Paola as one of the guests.
Edouard Vermeulen has been dressing members of royal families for years, including the Royal Family of Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Luxembourg.
1987 FIRST READY-TO-WEAR STORE IN BRUSSELS
Opening of the NATAN ready-to-wear store in Brussels, Belgium.
1991 DISTRIBUTION
Creation of ready-to-wear lines for distribution.
1999 WEDDING DRESS QUEEN MATHILDE OF BELGIUM
Edouard Vermeulen designs the wedding dress of Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
2013 NATAN 30 YEARS
To celebrate our 30 year anniversary, we organized a fashion show in Paris in the Belgian embassy.
2014 ARSENAL SHOWROOM
Opening of the Arsenal showroom.
2016 AMSTERDAM STORE
Inauguration of the NATAN boutique in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2017 NATAN COLLECTIVE
Launch of NATAN Collective. A project allowing NATAN to support young Belgian talent by giving them the opportunity to present their work enhanced by the knowhow and name of NATAN.
2017 BARON
Edouard Vermeulen is awarded the noble title of “baron” for his services rendered to Belgium.
2018 ATELIER II
Inauguration of Atelier II at Place Brugmann in Brussels, Belgium. This atelier is created to honor the craft of tailoring by giving customers insights into the process behind the creation of a NATAN piec
2019 FIRST RUNWAY SHOW IN THE NETHERLANDS
Natan participated for the first time at Amsterdam Fashion Week.
2020 PARIS
Opening of a store in Paris, Rue des Saints-Pères
2021 OPENING SALON COUTURE KNOKKE
2022 NATAN LE BON MARCHÉ RIVE GAUCHE
The Belgian fashion house Natan and the cosmetic brand Sisley came together in the very heart of the Parisian department store Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, combining their expertise and shared love for beauty and quality in a “Pop-Up” space.
This partnership consolidated the elegance, expertise and femininity held dear by these two family companies, that share values passed down through generations: concern for the environment, expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, art and design.
Avenue Louise 158 Brussels 1050 Belgium
PRESS Avenue des Aubépines 1 Brussels 1180 Belgium
Huidevettersstraat 44 Antwerp 2000 Belgium
PC Hooftstraat 23 Amsterdam 1071 BL The Netherlands
Rue des Saint-Pères 71 Paris 75006 France
Rue de Namur 78 Brussels 1000 Belgium
Henegouwenstraat 91-93 Ghent 9000 Belgium
Kustlaan 150 Knokke 8300 Belgium
Jan Mahieustraat 20-22 Roulers 8800 Belgium
Plankstraat 10 Maastricht 6211 GA Belgium
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Woman of the world, discreet and passionate philanthropist, visionary businesswoman: Myriam Ullens de Schooten has a thousand lives. And each and every one of them feeds her never-ending and tireless creative energy. In 2009, just five years after founding the Mimi Foundation that supports people with cancer, she launched her own clothing brand. First named MUS after her name’s initials, the brand have since been renamed Maison Ullens. Its purpose? To imagine and to create the perfect wardrobe for a woman like her: traveling around the world but remaining elegant and stylish.
You never cheat with quality
The first store opens in Aspen, Colorado. The second one in Paris, Rue Marignan, at the corner of one of the most renowned place in Paris: Avenue Montaigne. Follow a one year pop-up shop in London, in the heart of the fancy, iconic and Francophile neighborhood of South Kensington. Her inspiration, Myriam finds it during her travels and fuels it with her passions, art and architecture. Each of the Maison Ullens’ shop designed by Rem Koolhass features a piece of art, by Anish Kapoor or Ado Chale. Because in her personal life as in her business life, Myriam never forgets the advice the famous chef Gaston Lenôtre once gave her: you never cheat with quality.
After finishing business school, Kim Laursen decided to take a different path. And passing the entrance exam of the Kolding School of Fashion and Design on a hunch was not randomly: when he was a teenager, he would already draw dresses and clothing pattern in his notebook. But when the jury asked him to produce a summer collection, he’d rather went with a winter collection. A daring move – that made him pass the exam with honors from the jury. And “daring” continue to define Kim today. Fascinated by Paris and Montmartre district, he came to the City of Lights in 1990. He quickly landed an internship with one of his idol: Christian Lacroix. The internship was supposed to last two months. It will last 14 years.
The impossible alchemy between simple and complex
An amazing career marked with collaboration with some of the most prestigious houses and brands like Kenzo, Cacharel, Azzaro, Paule Ka, Vanessa Seward and Elie Saab.In September 2014, he took the head of the creation of Maison Ullens, walking in the footsteps of Veronique Leroy. Always looking for elegant and easy-to-wear clothing, Kim’s goal is to combine his minimalistic codes to our different collections. Passionate about contemporary art and fascinated by geometry, he tirelessly tries to mix materials and patterns in the hope of achieving the impossible alchemy between simple and complex. Between sophistication and well-being.
The label Made in Italy is not merely an indication of the product’s origin. It’s a statement. A statement that guarantees the use of raw material of exceptional quality – both for the production of many renowned fashion brands and for the craft of the most skilled artisans.The expertise and “savoir-faire” of traditional workshops are a priceless asset of the Italian fashion. And its value in the luxury world goes beyond any measurements or assessments.
Whether it is our factories near Venice or Florence or our leather workshop outside Florence these different places are thriving toward the same goal, the endless quest that drives Maison Ullens : the pursuit of excellence.It is that combination of extraordinary techniques and high quality raw material that created what makes the essence of Maison Ullens. An essence which we are using to deliver the best quality to our sophisticated and discerning clientele with which we have built up a very unique connection. One that seeks out exclusivity and genuine “savoir faire”.
Rue François Dubois 2 La Hulpe 1310 Belgium
4 rue de Marignan Paris 75008 France
727 Madison Avenue New York NY 10065 USA
445 East Hopkins Aspen CO 81611 USA
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THE BRAND
OUR STORY
Founded in 2015, Yeba is the first contemporary accessory brand with African roots to ascend the world of luxury handbags.
Yeba aims at championing women to reveal their greatness and fulfill their potential. We design modern and timeless essentials, highest quality handbags drawing inspiration from both modern aesthetics(such as architecture) and Yeba’s African heritage from Benin. Perfect balance between modernity and tradition, our handbags are beautiful objects with a soul, handcrafted by fine Italian artisans to last longer than a lifetime. They are pieces to keep tight by your side on your journey towards self-accomplishment.
At heart, founder Yeba believes that every woman has a true inner talent. This way, her accessory should help her not to lose sight of what is already there deep inside. Wearing the name ‘Yeba’ is simply wearing an invisible crown – a crown that has been passed down as heritage from a long line of strong women to you. This name, this title, is the bond that unites all of us, as one community, with roots all over the world, animated by the same yearning heart, the same ambition to fulfill ourselves and have a positive impact in this world.
Yeba means – the one born to accomplish her destiny. It is a state of mind, a philosophy, a mindset. A legacy.
THE LEGEND OF YEBA
Hundreds years ago, in the land of the hills of Benin, the first Yeba was born. She became Queen after her father died on the battlefield. To everyone’s surprise, she led her troops to victory. As she wanted her domain to be a peaceful one, she forged alliances with subregion tribes. She did something no woman or man had done before.
She gave birth to three sons and she made them promise to name their first daughters Yeba, which now means ‘the one born to fulfill her destiny.’
When you are called Yeba, it implies that there is nothing you cannot accomplish.
If this Queen’s spirit could speak today, it would tell you…
Embracing this anything-is-possible mindset and philosophy, we want to create ‘elegant & feminine’, yet practical, chic business essentials that fit into modern women’s lifestyles. The Yeba woman is confident and aspirational. Each essential she wears becomes a statement that reflects her personal drive.
Most of the time, she’s on the go, walking her way down to life like nothing can stop her. Smiley and focused, she is intelligent, driven & confident, knowing that there is no limit to what she can accomplish or choose to be.
Yeba Olayé is a Belgian-Beninese designer. Two years ago, she left behind her career in management consulting to pursue her dream: create an aspirational luxury brand. Starting with nothing but a sketchbook, she ultimately turned her vision into reality: her beautiful collection ‘Premiere’ and her undefeated passion inspires.
Yeba designs for a woman who lives in the present and moves toward achieving herself; a woman that is aspirational and wants to be the lead of her own story.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
MADE IN ITALY
Our handbags are made in Italy, by pure & authentic craftsmen with exceptional precision and care.
THE FOUNDER
YEBA OLAYÉ
Born in Benin and raised in Europe, Creative director and founder Yeba Olayé is a multi-faceted talent who left behind a career of more than 10 years in Management consulting and finance to pursue her dream: create an aspirational accessory brand. Starting with nothing but a sketchbook, she ultimately turned her vision into reality.
Yeba believes that every woman has greatness and talent within her and designs accessories as reminders to not lose sight of what is already there. Launching this brand was a way to carry her passion, culture and heritage forward.
Her love of fashion joins a passion for craftsmanship, design, and humanitarianism to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces that will remain by your side forever.
34, Rue du Pont Levis Brussels 1200 Belgium
River Woods
River WoodsMore Info
River Woods is an international and authentic lifestyle brand for the whole family, reflecting strong values as friendship, family values and the sheer joy of living!
River Woods’ origins lie in a bygone era, the North-Eastern American lifestyle served as a source of inspiration for the creation of the brand. Translated into a commercial and contemporary collection, River Woods since then evolved into a brand offering casual and city collections for the whole family. Men, women, boys, girls and even babies and newborns, the whole family can dress in River Woods.
The key factors of the growth and succes of the brand are a strict adherance to quality and a keen and exclusive distribution strategy. Through high-level multibrand stores and the well-known River Woods Company Stores, River Woods has put itself on the map.
The origins: An inspiring era
The wind blows through the lush crowns of the majestic oak trees of North Eastern America. This is the era of true friendship and strong values. This is the era of the origins of River Woods: authentic sportswear which embraces family, solidarity and the shear joy of living, and reflects the spirit of the true North-Eastern American lifestyle.
The beginning: Birth of River Woods
It was the 6th of December 1995 when four friends signed for the realisation of a mutual dream: their own fashion brand. By combining their years of experience and knowledge in the fashion sector, River Woods was born.
From Belgium to…: First menswear collection
On the 6th of January 1996 the trading began with the introduction of a Menswear Collection. Thanks to its strict adherence to quality and the perfect translation of the authentic American sportswear to the European market, it was an immediate hit. In fact, the brand began with an exponential growth in Belgium, The Netherlands and France.
New launches: Introduction of Women’s and Kids collections
The success of the Menswear Collection quickly lead to the introduction of a complete range of clothing for Women and Kids. River Woods became a brand for the whole family.
First Flagship store: Creation of River Woods Baby
Following the successful debut of the Women & Kids collections, in 2000 the River Woods Baby subdivision was created. This year the first River Woods Flagship store opened in Wijnegem Shopping Center, near Antwerp. River Woods continues its expansion through new partnerships throughout Europe …
Manufacturers & Distributors: The story of our success
As of 2001 a rapid expansion of the brand throughout Europe is established with a keen distribution policy. Focusing on high-end multilabel stores and the by now well known exclusive River Woods Company Stores has proven to be a recipe for succes.
New agreements: Footwear and River Woods stationary collection
In 2005 the license agreements for a River Woods Footwear collection and a River Woods school stationary collection are made.
Global Expansion: River Woods’ network
By now, River Woods has established a solid distribution network throughout Europe, and is ever strengthening its worldwide position by expanding its network outside Europe. It is now present in 22 Countries in the World : Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA.
First RW Kids Store: New Opening
On the 23rd of January 2011, River Woods opens its first dedicated RW Kids store, at Wijnegem Shopping Center near Antwerp.
RW Casual Chic: New Opening
On the 29th of July 2011, a second River Woods Casual Chic store opens its doors in Knokke, Belgium. It offers exclusively the contemporary River Woods Ladies’ collection, and is an immediate hit.
Mechelsesteenweg 170 Antwerpen 2018 Belgium
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A LILU BAG IS…
More than a fashion accessory, your handbag, is an extension of you. A reflection of your personality, an ally in your day to day. LILU bags are a crafted fusion between practicality and aesthetics. Beautiful, modern and timeless. They are made to last, and develop their own unique patina and character over time. Easy to use and wear, they will accompany you for years to come.
LILU’S VALUES
Craftsmanship, savoir-faire and made in Belgium are the core values of Lilu. Producing in small quantities, all of our bags are handmade by meticulous and passionate craftsmen. They are made to last. Our hope is that they’ll be passed on from generation to generation, epitomising the values of slow fashion.
Lilu continue to strive towards better environmental standards. Reducing its carbon footprint, by only producing bags in their Brussels atelier. And by working exclusively with tanneries which strictly adhere to European regulations, that relate in particular to the use of chemicals within the dyeing process and which favour the use of the most environmentally friendly materials.
HOW AND WHERE ARE LILU BAGS MADE?
Ixelles, Brussels in our atelier-boutique is where our bags are born. There, high-quality cowhide leather skins from carefully sourced European tanneries (France, Italy, Germany for the most part) are prototyped, designed and produced into bags and accessories by our artisans.
Bags are available at our boutique or through select retailers across Belgium. We also offer a “made to measure” service (in this case, allow six to eight weeks for production. You choose the model, leather, colour, even the number of pockets …
WHO’S BEHIND LILU?
Since childhood, Emmanuelle Adam, a graduate in law and management, has been guided by her passions. LILU is a dedication to craftsmanship, art and leather goods … which, in 2005, led to the creation of Lilu. “I was keen to work with the raw material, by hand; and to produce here, in Belgium, quality bags and accessories, both beautiful and practical, which would be sustainable. ” Bags conceived by her but also by you…
Smiling, intuitive, attentive, you’ll find Emmanuelle spends most of her time in her boutique-atelier, where she is always happy to advise and guide you to the bag that best suits you.
9, Rue du Bailli Brussels 1000 Belgium
Michael Guérisse O’Leary
Michael Guérisse O’LearyMore Info
After graduating from the Victor Horta Institute of Architecture in Brussels, Michael Guérisse O’Leary studied leatherwork at Les Arts et Métiers de Bruxelles under a master craftsman from the Maison Delvaux.
In his designs one can see architectural influence subtly expressed through geometric and sculptured forms.
Each piece is carefully handcrafted with great measure of care in a constant pursuit of perfect proportions, simplicity and unconventional beauty.
The collections are inspired by master architects and designers such as Andrée Putman, Gae Aulenti, Gio Ponti, Richard Serra, Alvar Aalto.
As a tribute to his grandfather, he decided to name his brand after him. Albert Guérisse was a member of the belgian resistance during the Second World War. After Belgium was forced to surrender, he escaped to Great Britain to continue the fight under the cover name of ‘Pat O’Leary’. In London he met secret agent Sylvia Coopersmith, working for Military Intelligence. He eventually married her in 1946.
Pat O’Leary went on to organize one of the biggest escape routes of the Second World War.
Terre Bleue
Terre BleueMore Info
Terre Bleue philosophy
Terre Bleue is a stylish, Belgian casual chic collection that makes women, men and kids feel good and that gives them confidence and trust in life. Modern clothing that looks and feels natural. Since 2002 Terre Bleue is linked to young, active and dynamic women that are fashionable and strive for balance, authenticity and joy of life. Men have found their way to Terre Bleue as well. Our mens collection offers a pleasing mix from stylish and adventurous, from classic to tough. It is the ultimate brand for the fashionable epicure.
Children also love Terre Bleue. The sparkling colors and nice models correspond precisely with their world, and thanks to the excellent quality they can carefree play and enjoy.Our collections are easy to combine within the different themes and with the rest of your wardrobe. You can wear Terre Bleue to any place and occasion. At work, on holiday or even to festive events; every moment is a Terre Bleue moment. Small or tall. Man or woman. With Terre Bleue you are exactly who you are. Welcome to the world of Terre Bleue!
Terre Bleue history
The Belgian label Terre Bleue was established in 2002 and is part of the company Duror/Two Faces, a flourishing family company runned by Dirk Perquy who represents the third generation. Recently his son Peter joined the company so that the tradition is assured. The roots of Terre Bleue go back to 1938. Maurice Perqui, his wife and his brother Jozef established the Perquy-Braet company. It was a wholesale in textile products; especially caps, scarves and stockings. A strong brand demands its own boutique that reflects the total image of the collection. That’s why Terre Bleue opened its first concept store in Ghent in 2004. More boutiques would follow soon. The former kids collection CF Company, that was the inspiration for the Terre Bleue womens collection, was renamed Terre Bleue in 2008.
Since the summer of 2009 the Terre Bleue universe expanded with its own men’s collection. Since then Terre Bleue has become a real family brand.The number of boutiques is growing and the gamma is always enlarging. To establish a total look, Terre Bleue launched a women and kids shoe collection in 2010 that is intensively connected with the clothing collection. With the Spring collection of 2012, the boutique in Knokke was the first to be transformed into a new shopping concept. Shortly after that, the 12th Terre Bleue boutique opened its doors in Nieuwpoort; a family store that is designed according to the new concept.In the same year the brand also celebrated its 10th birthday! Grow continues in 2013.
‘s Gravendreef 24 Nazareth 9810 Belgium