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
Herman
HermanMore Info
About
Since 1874, Herman Headwear has been a Belgian and international benchmark in terms of variety of hats and accessories. Our products cover a wide range of styles and models: caps, beanies, berets, chapkas, straw, felt or leather hats etc. Each year, we offer summer and winter collections for the whole family.
We launched our online sales site to give everyone access to our products. Building on a tradition passed down from father to son for over a hundred years, our main ambition is to share with you the love of a world we know well: that of the hat.
A world with varied atmospheres in which we invite you to stroll. Whatever your style – elegant, classic or fashion – and whatever the weather – rain, snow or sun – you will find the product that suits you on our site.
Rue Jean Meunier 6 Wellin 6922 Belgium
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Ma première collection, je l’ai faite pour un marché de Noël à Jodoigne, le petit bourg où j’habite. Cette collection avait suscité de l’enthousiasme autour de moi, un vrai démarrage sur les chapeaux de roue !
Quand je repense à ces tout débuts, j’ai parfois la nostalgie d’une démarche très libre, instinctive, parfois bien téméraire face aux obstacles techniques.
Il s’agissait alors de chapeaux pour tous les jours, en polar, en velours, en lainages, même en tissu d’ameublement…
J’ai pu me sensibiliser aux formes et aux volumes et ainsi découvrir leur effet plus ou moins harmonieux
Très vite j’ai eu envie de créer un autre type de chapeau… Des chapeaux d’été et des chapeaux plus sophistiqués et originaux pour les mariages.
J’ai pu dénicher çà et là quelques moules à chapeau dans des brocantes… Utilisant « à défaut » seaux en plastique d’un diamètre correspondant à celui d’un tour de tête, plats en bois… Jusqu’au jour où j’ai eu l’opportunité d’acheter un lot entier de formes à chapeaux dans une maison de mode qui fermait…
Au fil des années, j’ai élargi la gamme de mes ressources… Passer du travail du para sisal, au tissu sisal, au visca, rami, buntal et bien sûr aussi découvrir le plaisir de « tirer des feutres » en hiver… De challenge en challenge, j’ai reculé mes limites techniques, consultant au besoin des modistes confirmées pour recevoir aide et conseil. C’est ainsi que j’ai appris la teinture, le travail du crin, de la toile élastique et de la sparterie, la maitrise des apprêts aussi…
Quand on me demande quel est mon style, j’ai souvent du mal à répondre… Oui j’ai mes goûts personnels et aussi ma patte, ma sensibilité. Néanmoins plus que mon style à mettre en avant, je me sens au service du style de ma cliente… C’est très moteur pour développer ma créativité de rencontrer les femmes qui porteront mes chapeaux… Tant de personnalités avec chacune, bien sûr, leurs palettes de couleur, morphologies de tête, de visage, de silhouettes. Créer chaque fois pour quelqu’un d’unique est un exercice permanent et donne un supplément d’âme à mon travail.
Dès mes débuts, j’ai travaillé avec un statut « d’indépendante complémentaire » compatible avec mon travail d’infirmière. Grâce à quelques expositions, j’ai eu mes premières clientes ensuite le bouche à oreille a fonctionné….
Ce dont je suis fière :
De la couverture du vogue américain, d’avoir été dans les coulisses par mes créations de certains grands mariages belges, de quelques expos-ventes à Paris (Carré rive gauche), mais par-dessus tout, ce dont je suis la plus fière ce sont tous les retours positifs de mes clientes qui me partagent par une photo, un petit mot, un coup de téléphone leur bonheur d’avoir porté une de mes créations…. C’est vraiment cette reconnaissance là qui dynamise mon travail !
Ce que je pense de l’avenir de ce métier.
Malgré la crise économique, je crois en l’avenir de notre métier. L’histoire de la mode témoigne qu’en temps de crise plus que n’importe quand, les créateurs sortent leur génie !
J’aime le slogan de la Grande Bretagne d’après guerre: « Go ahead, get a hat !». S’habiller avec recherche et fantaisie comme un acte de résistance aux difficultés et à la morosité ambiante !
Notre époque est intéressante dans la mutation qu’elle traverse… Nous sommes en occident inondés de textiles de fabrication asiatique….Une production qui n’est pas que « bas de gamme » mais qui est néanmoins marquée par la mondialisation et la production de masse. Dans ce contexte, l’article personnalisé, le « supplément d’âme » d’une pièce artisanale a de l’avenir ! J’ose croire que la crise économique va nous pousser à consommer moins et mieux…
En habillement, les accessoires ont de beaux jours devants eux….
De nouvelles attitudes se développent : telle la démarche de recyclage …et dans cette mouvance un concept qui m’est cher, le concept du « réchauffé ». Ce concept n’a rien à voir avec celui du « seconde main »….Dans le «seconde main », l’objet en passant de main à main perd de sa valeur… Le concept du réchauffé est tout autre chose… Il s’agit d’une réappropriation d’un vêtement pour en faire un autre … Ce processus donne une plus value créative à l’objet qui est revisité et réinvesti dans un cycle de vie…J’aimerais pouvoir développer ce concept plus particulièrement pour mes chapeaux d’hivers, une ligne « streetwear » poétique…
Rue de la Grande Montagne 5 Jodoigne 1370 Belgium
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MEET THE FOUNDER
WHO IS HIDING BEHIND THE PROJECT 1971?
This high-quality Belgian fashion brand was founded by current Creative Director Christelle Loozen.
With over twenty years’ experience as a freelance denim product developer for both national and international brands and designers, Christelle is now ready to take up her own challenge through her brand 1971, offering an exclusively-designed original, high-quality and ethical product, one that is as original as it is a ‘revival’.
‘I’m passionate about fashion and I always have been. Through 1971, I am offering clothes inspired by my childhood memories, my experience of motor sports, and my unconditional love for denim.
My clothes are designed to fit most people, providing a casual yet trendy touch. With my many years of experience, I have been able to source the best sustainable yarns and fabrics from across Europe.
I’ve made the decision to work with the same European suppliers I have already worked with over the last 15 years. We share the same goals and overall vision, leaving no room for compromise when it comes to product quality, environmental impact, and the provision of good working conditions for our employees.’
We choose only the finest materials and best factories to make our timeless products, with the hope that they will last you many years, even decades.
Our prices are calculated as precisely as possible, while our partners, from workers to stores, are paid the right amount, with each and every possible cent reinvested into the local economy of each country.
We believe in a fair economy that works for the everyday.
Gerard-Sart 1 Dalhem 4606 Belgium
City Sport Caps
City Sport CapsMore Info
The
City Sport
Story
WHEN VICTOR DECLERCQ,
a leading fabric trader, got the idea to set up a cap mill, he could never have foreseen the success his company was to experience 100 years later.
He founded his company, together with his wife Marie Olivier and seven craftworkers from Diksmuide.
At heart, Victor was a born trader who upheld the traditional principles of a well-groomed gentleman. He was renowned for his big pointed moustache that was manicured every day by a private barber.
Over the years, CITY SPORT became an established name for high quality caps as an exclusive fashionable accessory for the discerning gentleman. The company has always offered a wide variety of caps in exclusive styles and fabrics.
The fourth generation now reaps the rewards of the preceding generations and is now preparing the future, however without losing contact with the family traditions and creativity.
The City Sport cap is now exported to all European countries, and even to Canada and the USA. But the spirit and production still lies in Ardooie, a small village in the neighbourhood of Bruges.
CITY SPORT caps, quality caps since 1898.
Fabienne Delvigne
Fabienne DelvigneMore Info
Her Story
Since 1987
Fabienne Delvigne is a Belgian milliner and has specialized since 1987 in the design and manufacturing of Haute Couture hats, jewellery, headgear, handbags and other fashion accessories. After studying Marketing, she launched her own company and became an iconic designer in Belgian fashion.
The elegant headwear that Fabienne Delvigne has created since the late 80’s has secured the Belgian milliner’s position as the go-to designer for members of the Royal Families of Belgium, The Netherlands, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and Sweden.
Her know-how has been rewarded since 2001, when she was initially awarded the official patent of « Belgian Royal Warrant Holder ». Fabienne Delvigne’s sophisticated and timelessly chic millinery has won her wide acclaim and this title was followed by the appointment of Fabienne Delvigne as a member of the Chamber of High Commerce « Brussels Exclusive Labels » in 2004. The same year, Fabienne Delvigne participated in the « 5 femmes de goût » catwalk show and conference at the Royal Evian alongside Chantal Thomass, Pascale Mussart (Hermès) and Anne-Sophie Pic (starred Chef).
In 2013, for the inauguration of H.R.H. King Philippe I, his wife Queen Mathilde wears the « Envolée » hat made of abaca fibre and silk. The trim of this hat symbolizes two wings that the designer imagined to symbolize the takeoff of Belgium under the reign of the new royal couple. Shortly after his nomination, H.R.H. King Philippe, like his father King Albert II had done in 2001, granted Fabienne Delvigne the title of Supplier to the Court of Belgium, perpetuating her position as a provider to the Belgian royal family.
Fabienne Delvigne collaborates with other fashion houses such as Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Dior or Natan. In 2007, she created a hat for the Van Cleef & Arpels catalogue.
Very imaginative, she likes to collaborate with other talents to express her know-how in new and original ways, but always with refinement.
In 2014, for example, she was asked by the Carrières du Hainaut to design their new booth at the Biennale de Courtrai (a design and decoration fair).
Two years later, her talent was once again asked to create hats for Maison Guerlain launching their new perfume « Intense » for the « La Petite Robe Noire » collection.
She has also made crystal or chocolate hats and, more recently, she collaborated with BMW and created two hats for the launch of the new i8 Roadster.
Reasonably eccentric with a touch of originality, her fashion accessories are aimed to make woman look more beautiful and attractive. Her style is definitely feminine, aerial and innovative.
In 2008, the Studio Collection offering hats for everyday wear was launched, it is also available for gentlemen. Today, these collections can be purchased through her e-shop launched in 2018.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of la Maison, Fabienne Delvigne retraces her extraordinary career as a Belgian entrepreneur, hat designer and holder of high luxury craftswoman. Her book “Sublimer par la différence” is prefaced by Stéphane Bern and Diane von Furstenberg.
In the year 2021, the Caring Hat project was born. This line of hats, turbans and caps is designed for people suffering from alopecia (hair loss) as a result of cancer treatment or a serious illness.
Fabienne Delvigne’s hats and accessories are designed and handmade in her designer’s studio in Brussels.
Fabienne Delvigne Portrait Red Hat
The designer regularly holds conferences on the magic of her craft as a designer and on the « Art of Elegance ». These conferences can be held in her workshop where you will be able to discover Fabienne Delvigne’s universe during a privileged visit in an exclusive and unique setting.
rue André Fauchille, 8 Brussels 1150 Belgium
Isabelle Baines
Isabelle BainesMore Info
Isabelle Baines lives and works in Brussels. She graduated from Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the costume design section under Mme. Mary Prijot, and worked for theatres in Brussels, Paris and Geneva. Prior to presenting her first knitwear collection in 1985, she worked for Ann Salens in Antwerp and M. Baron Industries in New York City. Isabelle Baines opened her first boutique in Brussels in 1986 and launched the knitting workshop in 2003.
Atelier
All Isabelle Baines designs are conceived and developed at her workshop in Brussels, where an artisanal, handcrafted approach reigns supreme.
For our limited-edition ‘Atelier Collection’, we use only the finest quality Italian merino wools, in a carefully chosen palette of colors. All our garments are knit, hand-sewn and finished by us at our workshop – right down to the buttonholes! Some sweaters, made of very fine threads, are produced under our personal supervision by a specialist family-run workshop in the Marche region of Italy. We’ve worked for them for years, and they understand our spirit and standards. Your Size, Your Color! Ask about having your sweater custom-made.
Hoeden – Martine Verstraeten
Hoeden – Martine VerstraetenMore Info
Over ons
Van opvoedster tot hoedenontwerpster: hoe twee kinderdromen werkelijkheid werden!
Als jong meisje droomde ik van twee dingen: werken met kinderen en hoeden. Ik koos het pad van de kinderen en werd opvoedster van mentaal en visueel gehandicapte kinderen. Iets later werd ik moeder van vier kinderen (twee dochters en twee zonen). Na 17 jaar ten volle te genieten van mijn werk koos ik het pad van de hoeden, en eindigde mijn loopbaan van opvoedster, weliswaar vanwege gezondheids-en familiale redenen. Mijn tweede grote droom? Die werd werkelijkheid.
Ik volgde een opleiding tot modist in het erkend VIZO centrum Brucemo bij Christophe Coppens, de toen bekende Brusselse hoedenontwerper. Op 10 maart 1999 had ik mijn diploma in handen en startte mijn hoedenatelier aan huis waar ik handgemaakte dameshoeden ontwierp. Toen de kinderen groter werden, kreeg ik de behoefte om mijn vleugels uit te slaan. Op 30 juli 2009 opende ik mijn eerste hoedenwinkel in de Stationsstraat 7 te Haacht. De uitbreiding met hoeden en petten voor heren was een feit.
Na enkele jaren verhuisde ik naar nummer 13 in dezelfde straat. In maart 2013 opende ik mijn nieuwe hoedenwinkel mét atelier welke ik volledig naar mijn smaak liet inrichten. In deze winkel vind je ruime collecties hoeden en petten voor heren. Zowel voor verschillende smaken (klassiek, sportief of modern) als maten (van extra klein tot extra grote maten) ben je bij mij aan het juiste adres.
Mijn aanbod? Mijn oog viel vooral op Europese merken als Stetson, het Belgische merk City Sports Caps en het Italiaanse merk Guerra. En het aanbod voor de dames? Daar staat vooral mijn eigen collectie centraal. Een exemplaar volledig naar de maat en smaak van de klant ontwerpen, dat is wat ik doe in het atelier onder de winkel.
Daarnaast is er een ruim aanbod aan confectiehoeden en mutsen van grote Europese merken en zijn er ook nog de mooie chemomutsen van het Belgische merk LookHatMe. Toch behoren niet enkel hoeden tot mijn handelsmerk. Ook bruids-en suiteschoenen en tasjes van het Nederlandse merk Elsa Coloured Shoes kunnen op bestelling aangekocht worden. Deze kunnen ingekleurd worden in elke kleur naar keuze (de kleur van je hoed of jurk bijvoorbeeld).
En naast dit alles ben ik als docente verbonden aan het CVO Crescendo te Mechelen. Ik geef er de opleiding modist en accessoires.
Hoeden Martine Verstraeten is de speciaalzaak voor iedereen die houdt van mooie, comfortabele en kwaliteitsvolle hoeden en petten.
Martine Verstraeten
STATIONSSTRAAT 13A | HAACHT B-3150 Belgium
Florence Coenraets
Florence CoenraetsMore Info
Artiste plasticienne, Florence Coenraets propose, à partir de la matière, une expérience esthétique et émotionnelle pour repenser notre rapport au monde.
A partir des plumes, sa matière première, sa démarche artistique évolue pour englober une réflexion plus large sur notre manière d’habiter un territoire et de cohabiter avec d’autres espèces.
« From feathers to birds », est une série d’œuvres réalisées à partir de plumes récoltées sur un territoire défini. Cartographie sensible, chaque pièce témoigne de notre cohabitation avec d’autres êtres vivants.
Particulièrement sensible à la vibration qui émane de chaque matériaux, dans la série « Offrandes » Florence explore d’autres matières et, comme pour les plumes, les manipule avec attention et amour.
Guidée par les spécificités de chaque matière, elle coud, assemble, relie… Elle laisse libre cours à ses gestes pour faire parler les matériaux entre eux et demeurer dans ce nouvel espace de rencontre.
Pour ces collections de coiffes, Florence Coenraets s’inspire des coiffes et parures ethniques aux symbolismes puissants, des parures des Rois et des Dieux, du pouvoir des parades nuptiales et autres rituels.
La coiffe célèbre la beauté humaine, c’est cette célébration que Florence vous invite à explorer avec puissance et audace à travers son workshop créatif « Je Suis Mon Roi ».
37, rue de Bordeaux Brussels 1060 Belgium
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About
After reading the book “The Emperor wears no clothes” by hemp advocate Jack Herer, Emilio De Baudringhien got inspired to start a company that would bring this amazing plant and all of its benefits, back to humanity.
Since hemp is a carbon negative crop we strongly believe it can be a key player in fighting global warming… think of it this way: we are growing a plant in 100 days that takes huge amounts of carbon from our atmosphere and stores it safely in the ground, actually increasing the fertility of the soil. After the plant is harvested we can use every single aspect of the plant for a different purpose, leaving no waste. All this with a minimum input of water and nutrients and no use of pesticides and herbicides.
1 acre of hemp takes in 10 times the amount of carbon compared to 1 acre of rainforest.
Emilio doesn’t consider The Ornament Hemp Co. a fashion company since we don’t follow fashion trends or seasons. Instead we see the company as a vehicle to support the hemp movement in all its forms.
Emilio never started this company for money gaining purposes. All of the money that comes in is directly re-invested in creating more products made from hemp to help increase global hemp crop production and help create a world with more durable products made from replenishable crops such as hemp.
At the end of 2017, Emilio set up a crowdfunding campaign to set up his label. Thanks to 110 lovely backers, Emilio got his project funded and was able to take off.