Gillis Modistes
Gillis Modistes
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La Maison Gillis, a boutique of both class and character, is situated in the historic centre of Brussels.
Founded a century ago, it has preserved the techniques and the savoir-faire of its ancient milliners.
It is here that Sylvie Gauthier will offer her advice and make a hat to your taste and ultimate satisfaction in the adjoining workshop (studio).
Some of her creations can also be seen in Paris, Lille and London.
Additionally, la maison Gillis makes hats for the theatre, advertising, movies and historical re-enactments.
17 rue du Lombard Brussels 1000 Belgium
Elvis Pompilio
Elvis PompilioMore Info
1987 was the starting point in the career of the hat designer Elvis POMPILIO. From a simple show room to boutiques in Brussels, Antwerp, Paris and London and worldwide distribution: major Department Stores in America (Bergdorf, Saks, Bendel, Barneys, Neiman Marcus …), the best Boutiques in Europe and a network of points of sale in Japan including Takashiyama, his business has expanded very quickly to an annual average production of 30.000 hats, hand made.
He skilfully styles the heads of celebrities from all over the planet : Madonna, Amelie Nothomb, Blondie, Lio, Harrison Ford, Mickey Rourke, Arielle Dombasle are regular clients, as well as members of the royal families of Great Britain, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium. Appointed Officier de L’Ordre de Léopold II, his work can also be found alongside Amelie Nothomb at the Grevin Museum and he works with Chanel, Mugler, Feraud, Céline, Bikkembergs, Anteprima… on their Haute CoutureJ and ready-to-wear collections.
He has moved in another direction when he ended these activities and concentrated on a Boutique-workshop in Brussels (which retained the styles he is known for: Knitted hats, Adaptable Hats as well as many one-off creations).
After a Pop Up store in Paris in Maria Luisa’s boutique in the Printemps department store together with a Wedding collection in the same surroundings and a period of intense collaboration with Anne Demeulemeester and also Veronique Leroy, Véronique Branquinho and Axelle Red he recently decided to give another twist to his career by closing his shop and exploring the more artistical side of his personality while coming retruning to his roots with a new show room together with his work shop on Avenue Louise 437 at 1050 Brussels.
2014 might see him as designing costumes for an Opera, creating a table for San Pellegrino , or expanding his business in Shanghai and doing many other things (e.shop) while keeping open collaboration with his designer(s) friends and creating hats for the Queen of Belgium.
AVENUE LOUISE 437 Brussels 1050 Begium
Kristof Buntinx
Kristof BuntinxMore Info
Brussels designer Kristof Buntinx has already created a furore with his God Save the Queens shirts and gained international fame with a boxer short collection with which he targeted Russian anti-gay laws.
Protest and irony are therefore no strangers to Buntinx, but he also dresses Belgian celebrities in little bespoke gems just as much as he has children photographed as superstars. The exiled Sint-Truiden native has been working under his own label for more than a decade. An official introduction is called for!
Kristof Buntinx was born on 10 September 1975 in the Limburg town of Sint-Truiden. He quickly showed an interest in fashion and design and proceeded to draw from a model and attended sewing and pattern design classes. Buntinx completed internships with several major fashion labels such as Levis jeans and the Amsterdam fashion duo Viktor & Rolf.
His own image language
After his initial designs for the Cinderella Shop in Antwerp he sank his teeth into (and left his fingerprints on) a series of coffee mugs for Godiva. Soon Buntinx would tackle hats, a trick he was able to repeat in 2012 for Royal Ascot.
Shortly thereafter, the Pain clothing line followed, with its own photo series in collaboration with Stijn Vanorbeek. Still inspired by the world of image creation, Buntinx worked with filmmaker Ilke De Vries, this time to explore moving images. The film Vision was the result, in which the designer searched his own conscience by referring to a personal crisis.
Artist’s blood
Between 2008 and 2010 Buntinx focused on hats and a full line of accessories.
Triggered by his own life and personal developments, language associations and puns took up an increasingly important place in his work. Like any true-blue artist, Buntinx also creates from an inner drive. “I have always been crazy about fashion, but designing also proved to be beneficial for my mental health. It is my “therapy with a capital T,” the designer states.
Once Buntinx found his way, an increasing number of opportunities came up: in 2011 the Toga 125 Fashion Awards and a fashion show in which his design Ceci n’est pas un Advocaat shone. That same year Modo Brussels, the MIAT in Ghent and Hong Kong Design week also followed. A prominent fashion watcher from the UK even called Buntinx the most eccentric fashion designer of the Modo Brussels event.
The future is now!
Loved by the international fashion blog scene, Kristof Buntinx does not shun controversy. For example, he came up with a series of socially committed designs such as his answer to the Antwerp rainbow controversy, the God Save the Queens T-shirt’, his Russian boxer shorts, which even reached the American media and the crown jewels for King Philip.
During the last festive period Buntinx surprised friend and foe with a range of crisis jewellery, which questions material luxury. The Christmas dresses designed by Buntinx for Dana Winners’ Christmas tour and for Marlène de Wouters, the presenter at the Queen Elisabeth competition earlier in 2013, were, on the other hand, downright luxurious.
Kristof Buntinx certainly aims to let his designs speak for themselves in 2015.
Stay tuned!
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
Meerspoort 33 Oudenaarde 9700 Belgium
Oscar Delghuststraat 60 – L4c RONSE 9600 Belgium
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Raising the concept of a scarf to the status of an exceptional item imbued with character. That is what Emmanuel Demuynck of the Belgian company Monsieur Maison succeeds in time after time. And with flair. One could describe his creations as unique stories. They are almost poetic and above all beautiful. They are the fruit of an exciting search for rare couture and haute couture fabrics from days gone by, the unique combinations of which today constitute the clearly recognisable trademark of Monsieur Maison. With each of his scarves, Emmanuel creates a link to a very special figure from the 20th century.
The secret of the perfection of Monsieur Maison scarves lies in its capacity to create the perfect blend of designs, colours and fabrics.
The scarves are made in Belgian workshops which is a very conscious choice on the part of the designer. The workshops guarantee an outstandingly high-quality approach and the seamless translation of what Monsieur Maison seeks to communicate in its unique models. The handwork and the know-how result in quality and durability, two aspects that are very important to Demuynck.
Who is the designer Emmanuel Demuynck?
Emmanuel studied painting at the Royal Academy for Fine Arts in Ghent. In addition to designing this collection, he also offers his freelance services for design and merchandising projects. He is also a purchaser and consultant for Belgian labels and multi-brand stores.
Delphine Quirin
Delphine QuirinMore Info
The trunks belonging to Delphine Quirin’s grandmother were veritable treasure chests when she was a child. The dresses, suits and costumes that they contained would later go on to provide the future designer with an important source of inspiration. And already as a child, hats stood out above everything else as a thing of wonder.
History of Art studies completed later in life at the University of Liège left Delphine with a real store of data and a clear preference for the talents of artists as diverse as Vermeer, De La Tour and Edward Hopper.
After training as a fashion designer, Delphine set up her own design business in 1996 and started creating her first hats – unique and tailor-made creations essentially to accompany formal dress. She then opened a shop in the historic centre of Liège and continued to create the framework for what would soon become not just a business but an expression of her personality. Being open to a wide range of influences, she soon discovered knitting and this then gradually become her preferred production technique. She really played a trump card in Paris in 1999 when she drew attention to a mini-collection of gloves and scarves – and of course hats – created out of mohair and boiled wool.
Delphine had found her niche! She was now creating regular collections, and presenting and selling them at large trade fairs in several European countries, as well as in the US and Japan.
By following her instincts and desires, Delphine has reached her goal. She has elevated the hat back to its rightful position of elegance, saving it from the stagnation of long-produced designs. She has made it a practical and light daily accessory that can be worn in all circumstances. Delphine’s hats are a subtle mix of colours and designs, reflecting our own contemporary mix of cultures and ideas. And although they do not follow ephemeral fashion trends, they are in tune with the world around them and each piece tells its own story
Delphine is proud of her Liège roots and refuses to use industrial production methods. Her hats are made using traditional techniques by a small team of knitters, embroiderers and seamstresses, enabling her to oversee all the production stages, and at the same time, to take meticulous care in order to ensure that all of her knits are perfectly finished.
26, rue Pierreuse Liège 4000 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.
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