Klaar Devillé
Klaar DevilléMore Info
Klaar Devillé
The brand
Design and craftsmanship can perfectly stand together. If you work with natural materials you can combine them perfectly. Even more so: Belgian designers excel at it. The luxurious line of bags by Klaar Devillé fits perfectly within this spirit.
Bringing a new brand onto the market that stands for affordable high quality and authenticity is not an easy task. Unless you know perfectly well why.
The desire for purity, fierce elegance, quality, comfort, wearability, durability, and above all honesty, made Klaar take the step towards her own timeless and minimalistic high-end collection handmade bags.
The designer
Klaar Devillé comes from a large, artistic family of musicians, artists, and theatre-makers. Art, architecture, ballet, and theatre are what inspire her.
Klaar studied Slavic Languages and Eastern European Studies at the KULeuven and worked for several years as an analyst Eastern Europe for the Belgian State Security. When Klaar was part of a foreign security service recruitment progam in 2004, she decided to quit her job and return to her old love, fashion.
Klaar decided to study fashion design in Antwerp and maroquinerie (leatherworks) in Brussels and founded Atelier Devillé a few years later together with her husband.
Klaar is a mother of 3 and sister of award-winning theater author and director Stijn Devillé.
Store opens on:
Wed: 12.00 – 18.00h
Thu, Fri & Sat: 11.00 – 18.30h
1st & 3th Sunday of the month: 12.00 – 17.00h
Closed on Monday & Tuesday
Volkstraat 20 Antwerp 2000 Belgium
Leeuwerikstraat 8 Rotselaar 3110 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.
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THE STORY
A Belgian twist on atypical fashion
You’re the woman who knows what she wants. Big dreams don’t scare you. In fact, they push you to be bolder. You know what makes you you and are not afraid to show it. At Awardt, we encourage you with the right accessories. As a Belgian female-powered brand, we’ll make sure you have the right, atypical bag, hat or scarf to match your unique soul.
Atelier Zennegatvaart 17 Mechelen 2800 Belgium
Shop Adegemstraat 3 Mechelen 2800 Belgium
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DIDDA
Being a ‘touche à tout’ with a theoretical background in art history & anthropology, and a bottom-up one in i.a. jewelry-design, sculpture, maroquinerie, I found myself playing around with leather way too long… So, that’s when DIDDA came up.
DIDDA was born out of a passion for craftsmanship and the desire to make durable goods with personality. Is it possible to merge beauty, functionality and sustainability?
For me, there’s nothing more challenging and rewarding than building a solid companion – to care and carry – out of a skin with my bare hands. And also, I admit, just for the smell of it…
I love building functional goods; playing with dualities; line vs volume, format and function, contrast in materials and texture, concept vs detail, directness and confusion, always searching for that certain tension.
PRODUCTION
All my leather goods are unique and handmade in my modernist rooftop-atelier in Laken – Belgium.
DIDDA proposes a main ‘solid’ collection and a more volatile one; a series of unique one-shots
made in the mood of the day. Your order can be personalized (length, left/right wear etc.) or completely tailor-made. Don’t hesitate to contact me for quotes and special requests.
All DIDDA goods are made of locally sourced skins. The leather is – depending on the design – either veg-tan, up-cycled or production residue from meat-production.
For me (an this is a vegetarian speaking…), no other material can yet replace the touch, feel and quality of leather (although we keep a wide eye open on upcoming alternatives). This very emotive and ancient material used by man – to carry and protect – remains for me a very ecological choice. It is a leftover natural material, ages nicely and with good care, a high quality leather DIDDA-bag will last at least a lifetime.
MATERIALS
*Vegtan leather:
Vegtan or vegetable tanned leather is tanned with natural materials like tree bark. Less than 10% of the world’s leather is tanned this way today. Vegtan is a thicker and stronger leather, so the designs don’t need lining, which makes the bags lighter. Vegtan has that gorgeous leather smell, tends to age better and develops a rich patina over time. This eco-friendly product is the ideal material to most of the ‘neat’ DIDDA designs. Color-options are smaller (mostly black/nude and cognac). The leather is sourced at a Belgian tannery.
*Standard full-grain leather
This leather is generally rather smooth and comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and finishing. All the skins used by DIDDA come from European tanneries (meeting the highest standards) and are
a leftover product from meat-industry. Always keep in mind that leather is a natural product that once had a life, so every skin will
have his story and tiny imperfections, which adds up to the charm and patina.
*Lining
I prefer to work with 100 % leather lining, mostly pigskin. It makes the bag slightly more heavy but it’s much stronger & more consistent in design.
*Zippers
5mm or 7mm metal zippers of superior quality by Belgian Zip Factory KROKO (zip manufacturer since 1944).
*Rope / sling
I mainly use 10 or 11mm round non-stretch/static polyamide cord of superior quality (used by sailors & mountaineers). This material – supplied by the ‘maisons’ corderie Smits-Henin and Corderie Barrois, can bear extreme (weather) conditions and will probably last forever.
When the design includes flat slings; those are made of 100% leather, sometimes doubled with flat polypropylene belts of superior quality provided by corderie Smits-Henin. These add up to the strength and anti-stretch of the slings.
Adrien Bayetlaan 11 Laken 1020 Belgium
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About
1961: Birth
The story begins in a little village in south eastern Turkey. We are Sunday, it is October 29, 1961, Manufer Gulcu was born. Coming from a modest family, his father is farrier and his mother is housewife. In 1966, the family leaves the village to settle in the city, where his father opens his own workshop and reconverts into the manufacturing of horse saddles. During his early childhood, Manufer goes to school while working in his father’s workshop, where he gets familiar with a craftsmanship profession.
1972: Arrival in Istanbul
In 1972, Manufer Gulcu arrived with his family in Istanbul. The city is large and living conditions difficult, forcing Manufer to quit school at the age of 11 to find work. After accumulating odd jobs, Manufer found an apprentice position in a workshop located in the Beyazit district of Istanbul and discovered the profession of sewing there. Skillful with his hands, he quickly learns and develops technical skills. Very early on, working with leather and natural materials fascinates and ambitions him.
1978: Opening of his first workshop
In 1978, when he was only 17 years old, Manufer becomes an experienced couturier, the most respected position in the profession. His boss then offered him to take over the management of the workshop. He will accept the proposal and team up with his best friend to lead a team of eight workers. At a time considered to be the beginnings of the golden age of leather, Manufer saw its activity grow steadily.
1981: Arrival in Belgium
In 1981, in a tumultuous socio-economic context, Manufer decided to leave Istanbul for Europe, where everything had to be rebuilt. He will work for 3 years in different sewing workshops until the opening of his own workshop, which will later allow him to meet his wife. At that time, the importance of leather and shearling in the world of ready-to-wear was at its peak.
1987: The workshop burns down
On November 12, 1987, the building where the workshop is located burned down. Once again, everything has to be rebuilt. The accident prompted Manufer to renovate the Maison de Maître in Brussels located at 138 Avenue du Roi. He set up his workshops there, which he named MANUFERO, as a tribute to his origins. There he will develop his activities of creation, sales to professionals and individuals. He will also put his couturier know-how at the service of other designers, and will collaborate with prestigious houses such as Natan, Yves Saint-Laurent, Kris Van Assche and Jean-Paul Knot.
1992: 29thOctober is born
In his spirit of creation, Manufer Gulcu decides to put a name on his collections. In 1992, he created his brand, 29THOCTOBER, referring to a triple symbolic date for him and his family.
1999: Marie-Claire France
In 1999, the 29THOCTOBER brand obtained its first publication in a renowned magazine, Marie-Claire France.
2004: Paris international fair
In 2004, the 29THOCTOBER brand was present for the first time at the international ready-to-wear fair in Paris. This event will open the doors of French boutiques to the Maison and give it its European dimension.
2012: MIEL Catwalk
In 2012, the Maison took part in its very first fashion show, the MIEL Catwalk, and presented a preview of its winter 2013-2014 collection.
2018: The team is growing
In 2018, the 29THOCTOBER team is growing and becomes more than ever a family house. Benjamin and Lucie, Manufer’s children, join the company and give it a digital dimension by creating the online store.
2020: The range is growing
The brand takes precedence over innovation and diversification. More than ever willing to perpetuate its craftsmanship and put its know-how at the service of innovative and committed fashion, 29THOCTOBER is launching its first capsule collection in vegetable leather. On the occasion of its birthday, October 29, 2020, the brand unveils its bag line.
Avenue du Roi 138 Brussels 1190 Belgium
Rue Joseph Stevens 41 Brussels 1000 Belgium
EMMA et MOI
EMMA et MOIbijoux et accessoires de mariage / juwelenMore Info
EMMA et MOI – a jewellery label from Belgium.
Here, at EMMA et MOI, we love minimalist lines and natural beauty and focuses on these two aesthetics to create wearable jewellery, designed to be slipped on day in and day out. Gemstones, brass, vintage findings, and dainty chains are the trademark of our designs. If you love subtle forms, clean lines, light colors and natural stones means that we vibe in the same direction 🙂
It’s 100% handmade jewellery
We know, there is no enough jewelry 🙂 Accessories are a very important finishing touch to every outfit. Every year we create few collections in small batches. These collections are inspired by different themes. We choose the themes that inspired us and light up our passion. Our goal is to make jewelry that that portray our love for subtle forms, clean lines and a light color scheme that brings joy to the eyes and to the heart.
We make everything ourself: we design, choose supplies, craft the pieces; we make photos, manage orders, beautifully pack them and ship to you. So when you get your package, you should know, that we work hard and put lots of care to every detail to make you happy with purchase. We hope that our customers also feel unique when wearing our pieces.
It’s jewellery made in Belgium
It is in our studio in heart of Antwerp the magic happens. Our goal is to make jewelry that that portray our love for subtle forms, clean lines and a beautiful color scheme that brings joy to the eyes
and to the heart.
Local manufacturing, quality EU components, eco-friendly packaging and even usage of a bike to bring your packages to the post office to reduce pollution – are part of our philosophy.
Lange Koepoortstraat 55 Antwerpen 2000 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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The beginning
Antwrp is a Belgian men’s fashion brand created in 2006. Antwrp brings luxurious casual clothes, in particular T-shirts, sweaters, jumpers and shirts in beautiful fabrics. The brand name refers to that unique blend of Antwerp fashion, the vintage scene and the city’s multicultural dimension. Antwrp translates the street culture into original print techniques with unique results. Logos and labels bear witness to the high graphical standards and in particular to the eye for details.
The collection’s designer
Antwrp is the brainchild of fashion designer Wouter Hoste. After graduating at the Antwerp Fashion Academy in 1987, he moved to Paris where he designed Jean Paul Gaultier’s Junior collection. In the early nineties, he returned to Belgium to work for various Belgian fashion labels. Wouter Hoste’s style is very graphical. He may be using remarkable colour combinations, but the overall picture remains coherent. His work sometimes refers to Andy Warhol, one of the artists he admires most. Antwrp is distributed by ARW, the fashion agency which distributes many prestigious and trendy brands.
ATOMIUMLAAN 1 PB 8 Brussels 1020 Belgium
Claire Lavendhomme
Claire LavendhommeMore Info
Claire Lavendhomme
Born in 1959
Lives and works in Brussel (Belgium)
(…)”If we may be so bold: the sharp edge of sensitivity on the one hand, the very subtle construction on the other. All of it in a sort of perpetually threatened emotion”.
(… )”Si l’on peut aller jusque là, le tranchant de la sensibilité d’une part, la très subtile construction d’autre part, tout cela dans une sorte d’émotion perpétuellement menacée”.
J-M H 1995
“Claire Lavendhomme plays with the” philosophical “notions of life using the form in an almost bi-dimensional way. Her work reveals something subtle, vibrant, poetic, mysterious …”
FS, 2012
Artist creator
• Contemporary jewellery, objets, drawings, multidisciplinary.
• Since 1997 Organisation of artistic meetings (plastic arts, cinema, conferences, lectures music, …)
Link: http://artrencontre.blogspot.com
Teacher experience
Since
• 2003 •Contemporary jewellery teacher at Academy of fine Arts.
Link: http://atelierarlon.blogspot.com
•Teacher of many workshops (jewelery, resin,artistic research).
Link: http://workshoplavendhommeclaire.blogspot.com
• 2016 •Teacher at « institut Jeanne Toussaint » (Arts et Métiers), Bruxelles
• Before 2003 •Teacher in the broader context of fine arts.
Some recent exhibitions (in jewellery)
Expose since 1992
• 2018 Elle-luit/jewellery and light. Wcc-bf (B)
Kleine Kabinet , Tokyo . (J)
Le génie des images, La joaillerie par Mazlo, Paris. (F)
• 2017 Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London. (UK)
Kleine Kabinet , Tokyo . (J)
Bijoux d’artistes et de créateurs. Piasa. Auction during “parcours bijoux”, Paris. (F)
• 2016 Schmuck 2016. Handwerkmessen. Curator Peter Skubic. Munchen. (D)
Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London. (UK)
Bonds, METALLOphone, International Biennial of Contemporary Meta art. (AV17)Gallery, Vilnius.
• 2015 Silence please! Noel Guyomarc’h gallery. Curator Ramon Puig Cuyas. Montréal. (C)
Beijing International Contemporary Metal and jewellery Art Exhibition. China World Art Museum. (China)
Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London. (UK)
• 2014 Multiple Exposures : Jewelry and Photography Loan(s). Museum of Arts Design New York . (USA)
European Triennal of contemporary Jewelry (2011, 2008, 2005) Etable des Anciens abattoirs de Mons. (B)
Le bijou mis à prix, Drouot, Paris. (F)
Transformation 8, Light Yawkey Art Museum, Wassau. (USA)
Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London. (UK)
• 2013 Passage, Sabine Herman Gallery, Bruxelles. (B)
La frontera, Velvet Da Vinci, San Fransisco & Franz Mayer Museum, Mexico
Tweex 2. Vander A Gallery. Bruxelles.(B) Bijou d’auteur.
Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles de Paris. (F)
Schmuck Show, during the Schmuck, Munchen. (D)
• 2012 European Prize for Applied Arts ( 2010). Anciens abattoirs de Mons. (B)
Accès direct12, Château de Seneffe, Musée de l’orfèvrerie, Seneffe. 5b°
Some recent exhibitions (drawing, multidisciplinary)
• 2017 Sithonia, Flux Gallery, Liège. (B)
• 2016 Centre culturel de Marchin. (B)
• 2015 Sur du rien, Le Clignoteur Gallery, Bruxelles. (B)
• 2014 Autour du mot, Centre Culturel de Marchin. (B)
• 2012 Participation at « Frecher », Loods 12. Wetteren. (B)
• 2017 Participation at « Hommage à Bernd Lohaus », M HKA, Gand. (B)
• and since 1997 the « rencontres artistiques ». Belgium
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Qui sommes nous ?
175 Rue Antoine Dansaert Brussels 1000 Belgium