Retro Verso
Retro VersoMore Info
About
Welcome to Retro Verso! My name is Charlien and I would love to tell you how this store full of cheerful and colourful clothing was created.
Immediately after I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Fashion Technology, it was itching to start my own clothing line. I could make the rugs myself, but unfortunately there was no budget for a physical store. This online store was created in 2013.
The starting points would certainly be quality and exclusivity – after all, nothing beats seeing people walking around in your self-designed, handmade dresses. In addition, a maximum of 10 pieces were made per model.
There was not much budget for advertising, but I could no longer keep up with the number of requests – especially customization. Unfortunately, manual work does not scale at all and soon I was faced with a real dilemma; outsource production or change tack. For example, I decided to look for colourful brands that I was going to sell through my webshop.
Fortunately, at that time I was able to use a fitting room and some display space in my parents’ shoe store so that my customers could try on clothes. Retro Verso, the shop-in-shop was born. Some time later, it seemed a good choice to leave the building entirely to Retro Verso.
In August 2017, the physical store opened, completely in the vintage style, on top of the web store.
Retro Verso now sells brands that you all know: 4 Funky Flavors, Froy & Dind, King Louie, Le Pep, Mademoiselle YĂ©YĂ©, Sugarhill Brighton, Blutsgeschwister, …
To this day I do everything myself: running the physical store, the webshop, purchasing, accounting, and most importantly for me: putting a smile on people’s faces đ
Happy shopping!
ââââââ âââ Greetings,
ââ âââ âââ âââ âââ âââ âââ Charlien
Vrijheidsstraat 1A bus 12 Denderleeuw 9470 Belgium
Nathan – Baume
Nathan – BaumeMore Info
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.
Building on the past to express a form of modernity…
A reinterpretation that sublimates the lessons of the past in a burst of creative joy.
Such has been the approach followed since its creation when Nathan-Baume first presented its exclusive small luxury leather goods created from the finest leathers – notably exotic skins.
The range gradually expanded and includes travel bags, briefcases, computer cases, …yet the craftsmanship never lost his particular inclination for small leather goods, which require considerable skill and know-how in addition to an eye for detail and great dexterity.
Nathan-Baume took a new dimension with the launch of the jewels collection in silver and gold, accessories like silk scarves, gloves, hats, umbrellas…
Welcome to style and glamour, functionality and magic, senses and feelings. Welcome to you.
100 Avenue Louise Brussels 1050 Belgium
Head Office Grand Route 329 Lillois 1428 Belgium
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Our story
Founder and designer
Hi,
I am Evelyne, founder and designer of KUNOKA shoes.
I want to tell you my story from the start and it will get a little personal. I have been in shoe business for many years and I initially worked for Italian houses whose quality products I honored.
However, year after year I saw things change; the business became less lucrative because of overseas competition. Step by step, I noticed that I saw less people in the factories that I visited every year, although sold volumes did not fall back at the same pace. I felt something was not right. I could tell⊠I know shoes, I know craftsmanship, I know what it should feel like, I know how they should smellâŠ
I had to realize that bit by bit production was outsourced oversees and no one wanted to admit. I started thinking is this what I want to stand for? It kept me out of my sleep and I thought about this for weeks âŠ.
The idea behind the brand
This is the point where I started to play with the idea of creating my own brand that should be fully honest and should have the best possible sustainable approach.
I wanted the environmental impact of my project to be as low as possible and I wanted to be 100% sure that there will be no human cost at my project.
Every KUNOKA shoe is touched by real humans with families and their own set of dreams and I could not bare the idea that someone, somewhere in my project would have to struggle to survive or to feed their children or work in a toxic environment.
This I why I choose to work with a family-owned Portuguese atelier, where I can see what happens, where I know the people and where I can feel and touch every step in the birth of a KUNOKA shoe.
The second advantage of producing nearby is that we exclude the extreme environmental impact of overseas transport. Which brings me to my second concern, environmental impact which is a hard knot to untie in shoe business.
Challenges
I started by developing different prototypes and I wanted to know everything: what are they made of? Can we not change this into that? What is the effect of this? Where does this sole comes from? What is in the sole? Who makes them? How much water does it cost? How comfortable are they? Can they be modern and beautiful enough? â Hey yes, fashion remains my natural habitat and I donât want to bring another sustainable brand whichâ appearance or comfort aspect makes it obvious that the brand is sustainable.
I went on and on and made everybody â including myself – crazy. I was making progress but there were so many uncertainties and more than once doubt just hit me in the face ⊠Would I ever find the courage to finally jump and officially go for this project?
The last of many signs…
I kept on doubting until the memorisable meeting in New York central park, this was the last of many signs I needed. Gabriella KUNOKA, who I did not know until that day, making a remark about the prototype I was wearing at that moment, convincing me that I should go for this beautiful project! Ever since, I realize every day, what I do might not be perfect, but it is not by finger pointing or complaining and sitting still that we will make progress. It is what I actually do what counts. And this is the whole story, this is how KUNOKA was born.
Always striving for the best
We are not perfect; we â and the entire industry – have a long way to go, but every initiative, how small it might look, makes a difference!
And I am proud of how far we have come and of any difference we can make, I guarantee that I will always strive for the best possible sustainable approach and I promise that this is just the beginning!
Letâs be kind to people and be kind to our world.
Love, Evelyne.
Kortrijksesteenweg 1092/G Gent 9051 Belgium
Young Levels
Young LevelsMore Info
We are young entrepreneurs, willing to deliver high levels of quality. We are creative minds that stand for playful professionalism. We believe that independence drives personal and professional growth.
Our mission is to empower young and ambitious people through means of design. We aim to provide those who are ready to take big steps in life, got the perfect shoes to do so.
It all started with Dieter, who spend his young life working hard to pile up his savings in order to achieve his dream and become an entrepreneur. One of the reasons for becoming an entrepreneur was his desire for independence. As a risktaker and creative mind, he felt that he was never going to be satisfied with his nine-to-five job. Now our first design sneaker has launched and not only is he paving the way of his own independence, he wants to create opportunities for other young and ambitious minds.
By proving design fashion and creating opportunities for young and ambitious minds, we strive towards a world where working independent is the norm. We believe that working for yourself where hard work really pays of is a life worth living and that everyone must be able to have this opportunity.
Fletersdel 52 Genk 3600 Belgium
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The company was founded in 1893 by the great grandfather of the current managment team. Until the late eighties, the company had its own production plant inHerentals.Currently Arwy still develops its own designs and collection but the production is largely done in Italy, Portugal and the Far East. Itâs therefore well know for bringing original developments with a superb price-quality ratio.
Over the years, a second business unit developed out of the delivery of shoes and boots to the Belgian army. This business unit of Arwy currently delivers a wide range of shoe and textile products to goverment agencies like the Belgian and Dutch army, the Belgian Post and others.
Arwy nv Langepad 1 Herentals 2200 Belgium
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Les Flemmard, c’est cosy. Ce qui est encore plus cosy, c’est de partager notre bonheur autour de nous.
NOTRE ENGAGEMENT SOCIĂTAL
Parce que la cause nous implique tout particuliĂšrement, nous nous engageons Ă appliquer une discrimination positive envers les personnes porteuses d’handicap. Cela se concrĂ©tise par l’emploi de personnes en situation d’handicap et par le don de Flemmard aux personnes en chaise roulant.
Votre commandes sera prise en charge par une personne en situation d’handicap. Pour les envois, nous travaillons en effet avec un atelier protĂ©gĂ© (une entreprise adaptĂ©e pour l’emploi de personnes en situation d’handicap). Cela garanti du coeur, de la passion et de la douceur dans chacune des boites.
Nassim est tellement bien Flemmard aux pieds quâil a eu envie de partager son bonheur avec dâautres : nous offrons une paire de Flemmard Ă toute personne vivant en chaise roulante.
Si vous avez un handicap physique, prenez contact avec nous Nous serions ravis de vous faire plaisir.
Selon une enquĂȘte de Statbel (l’office belge de statistique), en Belgique, seul 24% des personnes handicapĂ©es ĂągĂ©es de 15 Ă 64 ans ont un emploi en Belgique contre 65% pour l’ensemble de la population du mĂȘme Ăąge. Les rapports de l’Insee montre une situation semblable en France.
Les Flemmard ont de l’Ă©nergie Ă revendre. Si vous avez un projet en faveur de l’handicap, contactez-nous. Nous pourrons voir si l’on peut vous aider : en parler autour de nous, vous aider avec nos bras / notre temps, etc
NOTRE ENGAGEMENT ĂCOLOGIQUE
Flemmard câest un mode de vie plus Ă©cologique. Un engagement Ă©vident surtout compte tenu de lâimpact environnemental de lâindustrie textile version fast fashion.
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Nederlands
Wie zijn we?
Bel&Bo is een Belgisch familiebedrijf met meer dan 90 winkelpunten verspreid over heel België.
Onze kledingketen staat voor een complete collectie kledij en accessoires, voor de volledige familie en voor iedere stijl.
Kleur primeert in onze filosofie
De Bel&Bo collecties zijn altijd kleurrijk, met een grote keuze aan tinten en nuances, zodat ieder persoon het model en kleur vindt die haar of hem past.
Dankzij wekelijkse leveringen hangen er bij ieder bezoek nieuwe artikelen, bovendien is er om de 14 dagen een volledig nieuw kleuraccent in de winkel.
Aangenaam winkelen
Winkelen bij Bel&Bo is in een aangename sfeer een outfit samenstellen, uit de laatste trends en zonder twijfel. Het is de garantie voor een optimale kwaliteit aan de laagste prijzen. Wij combineren goed humeur met een hartelijk verkoopsteam en persoonlijke, aangename winkels.
Advies bij uw aankoop
Onze verkoopsters zijn speciaal opgeleid in stijl- en kleuradvies om jou te helpen kiezen en combineren. De gepaste outfit en kleur doen wonderen!
Kwaliteitscontrole
We hechten heel wat belang aan de kwaliteit van onze producten, want Bel&Bo staat garant voor kwalitatieve kledij aan een voordelige prijs.
Eerlijk en duurzaam ondernemen
Bel&Bo neemt ook haar verantwoordelijkheid voor mens en milieu, eerlijke handel is de norm.
BeCommerce
Bel&Bo is lid van BeCommerce, de Belgische Vereninging van de bedrijven die actief zijn in de online verkoop. De website van Bel&Bo is gebonden met de gedragscode van het BeCommerce kwaliteitslabel.
FRANCAIS
A propos de nous
Qui sommes-nous?
Bel&Bo est une entreprise familiale belge implantée dans plus de 90 points de vente en Belgique.
Nous proposons une collection de vĂȘtements et d’accessoires pour toute la famille et pour tous les styles.
Une enseigne colorée
Les collections Bel&Bo sont toujours colorées, avec un large choix de teintes et de nuances, afin que chacun trouve le modÚle et la couleur qui lui va.
Tous les quinze jours, une nouvelle teinte fait son apparition dans les magasins. Une bonne raison d’aller rĂ©guliĂšrement y jeter un Ćil!
Un shopping agréable
Faire ses achats chez Bel&Bo, c’est s’amuser Ă composer des tenues, sans hĂ©sitation et selon les derniĂšres tendances. Câest une garantie pour une qualitĂ© optimale aux pris les plus bas. Nous vous accueillons avec bonne humeur grĂące Ă nos Ă©quipes de vente, dans nos magasins agrĂ©ables et chaleureux.
Conseils lors de vos achats
Nos vendeuses ont suivi une formation en conseil couleurs et style afin de vous aider à choisir et à combiner vos tenues. La tenue adéquate et les couleurs en mettent plein la vue !
ContrÎle qualité
Nous attachons beaucoup dâimportance Ă la qualitĂ© de nos produits, car Bel&Bo sâengage pour des vĂȘtements de qualitĂ© Ă prix abordable.
Entreprise durable et Ă©quitable
Bel&Bo se sent responsable pour lâhumanitĂ© et lâenvironnement, le commerce Ă©quitable est la norme
BeCommerce
Bel&Bo est membre de BeCommerce, l’association belge des entreprises actives dans le domaine du e-commerce. Le site de Bel&Bo est donc soumis au code de conduite du Label de QualitĂ© BeCommerce.
Theo Nuyttenslaan 5 Deerlijk 8540 Belgium
rue des Ploppes 1A Esneux 4130
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The workshops are a moment of sharing where time stands still : a unique immersive experience in a cosy atmosphere where participants return home with a personalised leather piece and a strong feeling of pride đ
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Experience is not required. Only good eyes, and your good mood!
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You will find below the calendar of workshops. And at the bottom of the page you have more info & pictures about each workshop.
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Note that we also offer customised and team building workshops. Do not hesitate to contact us đ
The Brand
Kinamania is an independent Brussels-based atelier with a passion for leather. We make fine iconic footwear inspired by cultural heritage and revisited with elegance and dare. The shoes are made in Spain and Portugal.
“I find my inspiration in basic footwear styles that have stood the test of time to which I add fashion-forward details. This is my way of reinventing heritage.” Kristina
The brand has two main lines – The Essentials which are timeless collections and The Collaborations where Kristina partners with artists, artisans and craft-based NGOs to put their craft in the spotlight.
Collaborations
Kristina has a deep appreciation of makers and cultural heritage combined with a passion for leather as a primary raw material. Driven by her curiosity and her hunger for discovery of creative works, she collaborates with artisans and artists on her shoe collections and takes great pride in partnering, when possible, with craft-based NGOs that drive real changes in peopleâs lives.
The founder
Former designer and production director to the Johnny Farah House of leather accessories – between Beirut & NY – Kristina Zouein spent countless hours in artisansâ workshops. As a self-taught designer, this was a very formative experience.
In 2015 and with more than 10 years experience, she decides to create Kinamania, a slow fashion brand of accessories with a balanced mix of humility, sobriety and dare.
Of Canadian-Lebanese origins, Kristina lived most of her life in Beirut, until she met her partner and moved to Brussels a few years ago
A committed brand : Kinamania X Cancer
“In November 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer which pushed me to redefine the way I am leading my life and my business. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was chocked when I learnt those numbers, especially to discover that so many women, like myself, below the age of 40 go through this for reasons that are still unclear. Since then, I have committed to support cancer research.”
Leather and sustainability
Kinamania shoes are made from domesticated animal skins that are raised in agricultural settings and treated in European tanneries that are certified for their environmentally friendly working method.
The European leather industry is at the forefront of the conversation and innovation towards lower impact and circular practices :
+ to reduce chemical usage, water, and waste compared to traditional tanning processes.
+ to make sure that animals from which the hide is used are being treated well
+ to ensure that people who produce the leather are treated fairly
Fun facts to know đ
+++ It is through a failed romance with a Spaniard that Kristina discovered the abarca sandal style. This traditional Spanish sandal was the trigger to her shoe brand.
+++ KinaMania is a brand name with roots in ‘menorquina’, the alternative name for the abarca sandal which was originally handmade on the island of Menorca in the Baleares. The mania for Kinas is born from menorquina mania!
+++ The shoes have singer name and the subtitles refer to uplifting songs that align to the Craft Your Day tagline.
+++ The tag line says CRAFT YOUR DAY with two dashes. The two dashes symbolise the craftsmanship and hand-stitched design signature of the Kinamania fine footwear atelier.
Atypical leather-craft workshops
Kristina also offers creative leathercraft workshops combining leather and modern technology.
The objective behind those workshops is that participants personalise a beautiful object – in a warm and friendly atmosphere – and proudly return home with a unique souvenir.
WE ARE OPEN !
In the prestigious Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, center Brussels !
Kinamania will be here until July 25.
Looking forward to welcoming you!
Galerie du Roi 22, 1000, Brussels
Open Tue-Sun from 11H-19H
Galerie du Roi 22 Brussels 1000 Belgium
13 Bollinckx Street Brussels 1070 Belgium
Dries Van Noten
Dries Van NotenMore Info
Biography
Born in Antwerp in 1958, Dries Van Noten is the third generation in a family of tailors. At the age of 18, Dries entered the fashion design course of Antwerpâs Royal Academy. On graduating, he began to freelance as a consultant designer before starting his own collection of menswear in 1986. Since its beginnings Dries Van Noten has presented collections for women and men for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter each year. He
celebrated his 50th fashion show in 2004 and 100th fashion show in 2017.
In June 2008, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honoured Dries Van Noten with its International
Designer of the Year Award. 2014 began with the grand opening of Dries Van Noten, âInspirationsâ, a first
ever exhibition featuring his designs and influences at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Another
configuration of the exhibit moved to Antwerp in 2015. In July France decorated Dries Van Noten with the
honour of âOfficier de lâOrdre des Arts et des Lettres.â In October 2016, Dries Van Noten wins the Culture
Award from The Province of Antwerp for his contribution to Culture.
In June 2018 Puig entered the capital structure of Dries Van Noten as majority owner. The designer remains, over the long term, a significant minority shareholder and continues his role as chief creative officer and chairman of the board.
2019 saw Mr Van Noten collaborate with world renowned fashion designer Mr Christian Lacroix on his
collection for Women, Spring/Summer 2020. In June 2020, and September 2021, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has again nominated Dries Van Noten for its International Designer of the Year Award.
Q&A with dries van noten
When did you know that designing clothes was your path & passion?
There was a certain logic to my choice as my family had been involved in fashion and the garment business for generations. My father created one of Belgiumâs most innovative retailers of âPret-a-Porterâ and my grandfather was a tailor. I inherited my love of garment making, its traditions and rituals, from these men and my mother. Family immersed me in the craft and skill of fabrics, impassioned me with the power of flair and style for women and men that fired my quest to explore and question the subjectivity of âbeautyâ and the role it would play in my life. My family was very supportive and encouraged me to continue its fashion tradition. I regularly accompanied my parents to Paris and Milan on their many buying trips for collections. Though they had imagined I might take over the retail business, that I was passionate to become a fashion designer came as a great surprise to them.
What is your design signature?
I see a garment as a singular item of excellence that is part of a larger story told, firstly, within a designerâs vision for a collection and ultimately as part of the final wearerâs expression of their style through their wardrobe. My joy is to create a garment that fuses and balances beauty, craft and function, a garment that can perform well and continue in time to become part of lifeâs story. I enjoy juggling with colours, textures and light in a way that evokes rather than provokes.
Where do you come up with your best ideas?
The spark of inspiration for the narrative a collection rarely ever comes in the same way. The initial idea can sometimes come quickly and remain constant throughout the design process⊠occur on a walk in my garden, encountering a painting or the life and work of an artist. It can be something rarefied or ordinary, for example, suddenly looking at something that has surrounded me every day and seeing it in a different way that inspires. It can be a photograph in a book or a magazine, a re-read passage in a loved book, a conversation with friends or my design team or a piece of music. For other collections the story is more of a journey, deliberate, considered, and evolves through time and the design process. Anything can be that spark that ignites the creative process. What I have learned is that one recognises the spark when it happens, it may not be too planned, be âof its timeâ and is more emotional than cerebral.
Is there a difference between style and fashion?
Of course, style comes from within..
What colour or fabric would you never use?
None actually! Often, challenging myself to work with colours, fabrics, or forms that I have disliked and bringing them into a collection can be an important aspect of the creative process.
What is beauty?
The idea of beauty is supremely subjective and very personal. Time also plays a role when our view on what is beautiful to us evolves. A flower, a building or a garment can be a thing of wonder for one while leaving another completely indifferent. What was beautiful to us even recently may be ugly today. Luckily, all designers have their own eye on and language of beauty.
What is ugliness?
It resonates in the same way as beauty for me. It is exciting when the formerly ugly becomes beautiful.
Timeline
- 1981 Dries Van Noten graduates from Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp
- 1986 Dries Van Noten started his first own collection of menswear after working as a freelance consultant designer
- 1989 Flagship store opens in Antwerp, Belgium
- 2004 50th Show
- 2007 Paris store opens at Quai Malaquais, Paris France
- 2008 Dries Van Noten wins Internation Designer of the year at CFDA awards./ Dries Van Noten Sacred âRoyal Designer for Industryâ from the RSA Trustee Board in London
- 2009 Flagship store opens in Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan/ Stores opens for the men at Quai Malaquais, Paris, France
Dries Van Noten Induction to The âGalerie Des Eminentsâ By The Flemish Chamber Of Commerce (Voka)
Dries van Noten is gifted a gold medal by The Flemish Royal Academy of Belgium
Dries Van Noten Is Honored With the âCouture Council Award for Artistry of Fashionâ By the Couture Council of the Museum at Fit In New York - 2010 Dries Van Noten Is Invited To Preside Over the 25th Edition of the âFestival International De Mode et De Photographieâ of Hyres, France
- 2013 Olfactory portrait by Frederic Malle with The Nose Bruno Jonanovic
- 2014 xhibition at The Musée Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France
A book that accompanied his exhibition at Musée des arts Décoratifs in Paris, France - 2015 Dries Van Noten is decorated by Jack Lang of the medal
Opening of Dries Van Noten Osaka - 2016 Wins Culture Award from The Province of Antwerp
- 2017 An intimate portrait into the life, mind and creative heart the designer
A book in two volumes that depicts and documents his first 100 collection and Fashion shows
In recognition of his career as fashion designer and his contribution to the Cultural life of his native land - 2018 DVN enters in partnership with Puig as Major Stakeholders
- 2019 Collaboration with Mr Christian Lacroix
- 2020 Nominated by The CFDA for International Designer of The Year Award
Stores opens in Shanghai, China
Flagship stores opens in Los Angeles, USA the first Dries Van Noten store in the Unites States of America
Godefriduskaai 36 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium