B-shirt – United States of Belgium
B-shirt – United States of Belgium
71 Chaussée de Charleroi Bruxelles 1060 Belgium
We are an independent creative label based in Brussels mainly active in the fashion, music and audiovisual sector.
T.VDB is the artistic fashion studio founded by Belgian multi-disciplinary fashion artist Tom Van der Borght.
The label focuses on humans rather than gender, as the core of T.VDB is hard to pinpoint under one binary definition, description or title.
T.VDB works as an independent artist, with a focus on fashion, textile, graphics, video, installation and scenography.
He is the producer of his own free work and works on commission for various partners.
Tom Van der Borght got his Fashion Design degree in 2012 at the Stedelijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten of Sint-Niklaas. Both during and after his studies he won international fashion prices and competitions.
From 2012 to 2016 he had the pleasure of showing his work during Berlin, Paris, London and Panama Fashion Week. His collections were sold in the USA, Japan and across Europe.
As a commissioned artist T.VDB worked for companies like Mercedes-Benz, Premiere Vision, DS Automobiles and Le19M. Next to that he creates artwork and video’s for national and international music artists.
In 2021 Tom received a master degree at Zuyd Hogeschool Maastricht, focusing on the intersection between performance, fashion and artistic research.
Before studying arts, Tom got his bachelors degree in Social Studies and worked for in various social organisations for several years.
Discovering at the age of 27 he suffers from a heriditary neuropathic muscle disorder confronted T.VDB with the question what is really important in life. This was the catharsic moment when he decided to study fashion design and pursue his childhood dreams.
During his study he was already confronted with the borders between fashion and art. Reflecting on his own background in social work and his own personal disposition in life led to questioning social structures, definitions, limits, … The visual language T.VDB develops goes far beyond clothes and is always creating a highly personal and questioning universe. It combines media and is crossing borders between fashion and arts.
T.VDB has an ongoing fascination for defects and errors, which comes from his own experience and the questioning of the genetic errors that shaped the designer from his birth.
Finding a place in society has always been a core element in Van der Borght’s work and life. This generated a strong interest for tribal culture, rituals and alternative/indigenous/ social structures, including elements like costumes, ritual dance and performative acts.
Being born in a typical Flemish middle class family, where culture didn’t really exist, T.VDB was fascinated by pop culture, MTV and subcultures.
“My first fashion inspiration came from the 80s, when i looked to magazines like “Mode, C’est Belge”. My mother’s classic couture training also influenced me in my love Of clothing.”
Later on in life I got introduced to more “higher” forms of “culture”. Essential in my work is the mix of those two opposites of “culture”, not necessarily as rivals or opposites. “
Marcel Duchamps once quoted : “ I do not believe in Art, I believe in Artists”.
T.VDB’s generous attitude and authentic radical way of thinking define him as a designer and an artist.
T.VDB ’s view on fashion (and clothes) isn’t purely economics:
his work could be seen as artistic objects. Clothes and outfits become part of a bigger pictures and crossing borders leads to creating a full universe, a total package.
It results in a fascination for creating video, scenography, performance and alternative ways of presentation.
A catwalk presentation has a very strong performative energy, being a boost of energy, a “hic et nunc” reflection on the present with a big artistic value.
Fashion is always a representation of the present. In his work T.VDB translates this in trying to marry the past to the future (which for him is the essence of “present”).
In 2019, T.VDB took a restart. He focuses on an elaborate masterpiece “7 ways to be TVDB”, which is a multidisciplinary selfportrait that borders on the edges between high tech bricolage, haute couture, avantgardistic fashion and low tech performance. A first stage of this work was presented in the FashionClash festival in Maastricht , and won both the Grand Jury Festival Prize as the Audience Award. With this collection the designer won the prestigious Grand Prix du Jury at the 35th Festival Internationale de La Mode de Hyères in 2020, as well as the highly desired Public Prize. His jubilant, theatrical men’s collection was praised by designer Jonathan Anderson, who presided over a jury that included, among others, consultant Amanda Harlech, model Kaia Gerber, sound maverick Michel Gaubert, photographer Tyler Mitchell, journalist Derek Blasberg and editor-in-chief of GQ, Oliver Lalanne
“What we really, really admired in the work of Tom Van Der Borght is that it was a totally new type of form, new type of shape, new type of commitment to a silhouette, and it was uncompromising,” Anderson said during a remote award ceremony. “And in this moment we are in, we as a jury believe that it was about starting this new decade with newness, this idea of originality.” Anderson continued: “It was not about looking at something for its automatic commercial sense. It was about the beauty within fashion, the handmade, the technique, and the risk in it. And I think Tom has really achieved something in what he has done and I think he will go on to do very well.”
In 2021, T.VDB had the honour to open Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin, with a stunning performance he created with choreographer Blanca Li, to accompany his latest collection.
For the 36th edition of the International Festival de la Mode, he launches his new collection “Time For Love”. The collection was realised in close collaboration with Le19M, Chanel’s legendary “ateliers des Metièrs d’Art” and the support of Premiere Vision.
In the troubled world we are living in nowadays, all of us are urging for connection and closeness. We’ve been distanced, physically and psychologically but now, it’s time for love.
T.VDB welcomes you to a brighter future and a celebration of human connection. The collection is an invitation to enter the playful and colorful universe of the collection. Garments leave the borders of the individual human body and search for connections with other humans through cut, detail and accessories. The pieces play on the intersection of textures, artwork and colour.
Everybody is invited to join this contemporary tribe of neo-hippies, lonesome cowboys and genderfluid hybrid creatures, feeling the emotion in the silence and embracing love as an empowerment tool.
Walter Van Beirendonck
Walter Van BeirendonckPERSONAL FACTS:
• Born: 04.02.57, Brecht, Belgium
• Studies: Fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp
• First breakthrough: British Designer Show / London in 1987 as part of ‘The Antwerp Six’
(with Dirk Van Saene, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester and Marina Yee).
• Since 1983 collections under the label Walter Van Beirendonck
RECENT ACTIVITIES:
• HEAD FASHION-DEPARTMENT ROYAL ACADEMY ANTWERP
• Childrens Collection ZULUPAPUWA for JBC
• Designer collection Walter Van Beirendonck
WOEST – Autumn/Winter 2016-2017
Electric eye – Spring Summer 2016
Explicit Beauty – Autumn/Winter 2015-2016
WHAMBAM! – Spring/Summer 2015
Crossed Crocodiles Growl – Autumn/Winter 2014-2015
Home Sweet Home – Summer 2014
Shut your eyes to see – Autumn/Winter 2013-2014
Silent Secrets- Summer 2013
Lust Never Sleeps- Autumn/Winter 2012-2013
Cloud #9 – Spring/Summer 2012
Hand on Heart – Autumn/Winter 2011-2012
Read My Skin – Summer 2011
Take a W-ride – Autumn/Winter 2010-2011
Wonde® – Spring/Summer 2010
Glow – Autumn/Winter 2009-2010
eXplicit – Spring/Summer 2009
SKIN KING – Autumn/Winter 2008-2009
SEXCLOWN – Spring/Summer 2008
STOP TERRORISING OUR WORLD – Autumn/Winter 2006-2007
RELICS FROM THE FUTURE – Spring/Summer 2006
WEIRD – Autumn/Winter 2005-2006
SUPERNATURAL – Spring/Summer 2005
CLOUDY STARS – Autumn/Winter 2004-2005
FUTUREDAY – Spring/Summer 2004
• 1999-until 2004: æstheticterrorists® by walter
PIXYDUST – Autumn/winter 2003-2004
RESPECT RETHINK REACT – Spring/Summer 2003
FLY OR VANISH – Autumn/Winter 2002-2003
BODY:XtensionXfashion – Spring/Summer 2002
• 1999-untill 2002: Walter Van Beirendonck
REVOLUTION – Autumn/Winter 2001-2002
STARSHIP EARTH – Spring/Summer 2001
DISSECTIONS – Autumn/Winter 2000-2001
GENDER? – Spring/Summer 2000
NO REFERENCES – Autumn/Winter 1999-2000
• Since 1985 is Walter teaching in the fashion-department from the Royal Academy of
Arts-Antwerp/Belgium
• In 1998 opened Walter Van Beirendonck ,’Walter’ , a multilabel store,with annex the
‘window’-gallery, St.Antoniusstraat 12 – Antwerp/Belgium
• Between I993 and 1999:designer of W.&L.T./Wild and Lethal Trash
Last collection designed by Walter was: Hi Sci Fi: Spring/Summer 1999
INSPIRATION: •••top
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Since his early collections, Walter has been inspired for his designs
by art, music and literature, all mixed with ethnic and nature influences.
Walter Van Beirendonck is considered to be one of the main trend-setters
in men’s fashion by the professional press.
His designs are very recognisable by either strong graphics
or innovating cuts and unexpected colour combinations .
The red thread throughout his collections is his sense of humour,
sex with an eye-wink and his concern about ‘safe sex’.
His continous statements about the fashion-world,earth,nature, contemporary life
and society are collected in prints and slogans.
Often ‘double bottomed’!
Always in a complete unconventional context.
Since 1983 carries every collection a well-defined name.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
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Walter works besides the collections,regurarely on projects:
• Designing costumes for theater, ballet and film,curating expositions,designing objects,
think-thank for commercial projects and products,image-making for pop-groups,
illustrating books,designing commercial collections…
• Walter is buyer for the ‘Walter’-store and co-curater for the ‘Window’-gallery.
• Due to Walter’s intrest in ‘Cyber’-technology,W.&L.T. was the first fashionlabel,which
launched a full-CD-rom and Website, showing besides the collections, information and self-designed games.
EXHIBITIONS
Walter Van Beirendonck / Aestheticterrorists /
W< by Walter Van Beirendonck from 1986
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Momu Antwerp / Belgium
Exposition : ‘Happy Birthday Dear Academy’ – 2013/2014
RMIT Design Hub / Melbourne Australia
Exposition : ‘Dream The World Awake’ – 2013
Momu Antwerp / Belgium
Exposition : ‘Dream The World Awake’ – 2011/2012
Selfridges London / UK
Participation-exposition : Selfridges / Judith Clark – 2011
Galeri Peithner-Lichtenfels Vienna /Austria
Participation-exposition : Anti Depressiva – 2011
Benaki Museum Athens / Greece
Participation-exposition : ARRRHG! Monsters in Fashion – 2011
Song Song Vienna/Austria
Exposition : ‘Paradise Pleasure Productions’ – 2010
Zand Eindhoven / Netherlands
Participation-Exposition : ‘Glass Works’ – 2010
Momu Antwerp / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘Stephen Jones & the Accent of Fashion’ – 2010
Art Brussels
Participation-Exposition : ‘Triple X – Wonde® Gallery – 2010
Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands
Participation-Exposition : ‘The art of Fashion – Installing Allusions’ – 2009
Galerie Polaris Paris / France
Participation-Exposition : ‘2357’ – 2009
Gemeentemuseum Den Haag / Netherlands
Participation-Exposition : ‘De ideale man’ – 2008
Metropolitan Museum of Art New York / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Superheroes, Fashion and Fantasy’ – 2008
Modemuseum Hasselt / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘Ten dans gevraagd’ – 2008
Nationaal glasmuseum Leerdam, in Fort Asperen / Netherlands
Participation-Exposition : ‘De ideale man’ – 2008
Oude Gevangenis Hasselt / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘Dichter op de huid’ – 2008
Science Gallery Dublin / Ireland
Participation-Exposition : ‘Technothreads, What fashion did next’ – 2008
Victoria and Albert Museum London / UK
Participation-Exposition : ‘Fashion V’ – 2008
Benaki Museum Athens / Greece
Participation-Exposition : RRRIPP!!, paper fashion – 2007
Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology New York / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Exotism’ – 2007
Speelgoed museum Mechelen / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : Speelgoed van… – 2007
Vlaam Parlement, de loketten Brussels / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘6+ Antwerpse Mode – 2007
MoMu Antwerp / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘De MoMu Collectie – Selectie II’ – 2006
3. Biennale Berlin Germany
Video Installation – 2004
Lille / France
Dreamcube Installation – European Cultural Capital – 2004
MoMu Antwerp / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘Malign Muses, when fashion turns back’ exhibition – 2004
Musée de design et d’arts appliques contemporains Lausanne / Swiss
Participation-Exposition : ‘Body Extentions’ – 2004
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Skin Tight / The Sensibility of the Flesh’ – 2004
Forum – Fashion Nation Antwerp / Belgium
Exposition : Ballet costumes designed for ‘Not Strictly Rubens’ – 2003
Lidewij Edelkoort Fort Asperen Netherlands
Installation ‘Weest steeds waakzaam’ – Armour, the fortification of Man – expositions – 2003
MoMu Antwerp / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘Patterns’ – 2003
Musée de la Mode Paris / France
Participation-Exposition : ‘Trop’ – 2003
Museum of Applied Arts Cologne / Germany
Participation-Exposition : ‘Koerprnah – Koerperfern’ – 2003
Selfridges London / UK
Participation : Body Vision Project, representing the ‘Playful Body’ – 2003
MoMu Antwerp / Belgium
Participation-Exposition : ‘Backstage’ – 2002
National Design Museum New York / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Skin’, curated by Cooper Hewit – 2002
Victoria & Albert Museum London / UK
Participation-Exposition : ‘Men in Skirts’ – 2002
Bon Marché Rive Gauche Paris – France
Participation-Exposition : ‘Les collections d’art des couturiers et créateurs mode’ – 2001
Kobe Fashion Museum Japan
Participation-Exposition : ‘Mohr: Colour and Space part 5 Sayoko’- 2001
Metropolitan Museum of Art New York / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Extreme beauty’ – 2001
Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology New York / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Belgian Fashion Design : Antwerp Style’ – 2001
Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands
Participation-Exposition : ‘Exorcism / Aesthetic Terrorism’ – 2000
CCAC San Francisco / USA
Participation-Exposition : ‘Fast Forward’ – 2000
Elena Levi Roma / Italy
Participation-Exposition : Curated by Haim Steinbach – 2000
Galerie Enrico Navarra Paris / France
Participation-Exposition : ‘Le Corps Mutant’ – 2000
Grimaldi Forum / Monaco
Participation-Exposition : ‘Air Air’ exhibition – 2000
New York / USA
Installation Summer 2001 ‘Starship Earth’- collection – 2000
Hasselt / Belgium
Installation-Exposition : ‘In de Ban van de Ring’ – 1999
Kuenstlerhaus Vienna Austria
Participation-Exposition : ‘Fast Forward’ – 1999
Metropolitan Museum of Art Tokyo/Japan
Participation-Exposition and catalogue :
‘Vision of the Body : Fashion Invisible Corset’ with Video ‘Fetish for Beauty’ – 1999
Biennale di Firenze Italy
Installation at Stazione Leopolda (Fashion/Cinema) – 1998
Installation in context of New Universe / Personna – 1996
Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands
Walter Van Beirendonck/W.&L.T. exhibition in collaborationwith Marc Newson – 1998
Design Museum London / UK
Participation-Exposition : ‘Welcome Little Stranger / Men in Black ‘Erotic Design’ – 1997
Louvre Paris/France
Participation-Exposition : Musée de la Mode – 1997
Copenhagen / Denmark
Installation – European Cultural Capital – 1996
Fashion Museum of Marseille / France
Exposition : ’10 years Walter Van Beirendonck 86-96′ – 1996
CURATOR – PROJECTS
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Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands
Curator ‘Surreal Things, Surrealism and Design’ – 2007
Die Zeit Hamburg / Germany
Art Director for a special fashion issue of ‘Die Zeit’
Phaidon
Co-curator for the ‘Fashion-Cream’ Project (published – 2005)
Selfridges London / UK
Co-curator and designer of the windows for the Body Craze Festival – 2003
Sleazenation
Anti-War poster – 2003
Fashion show in Moscow and St. Petersburg – 2002
Mode 2001 Landed-Geland Antwerp / Belgium
Curator from 1999-2002 : Landed/Geland. Fashionproject conceived for the city of Antwerp
4 Exhibitions : ‘2 Women’, ‘Mutilate ?’, ‘The Radicals’, ‘Emotions’
A,B, C Magazine, Exhibition – Catalogues, Merchandising – Project – 1999-2001
Realisation video:
‘Revolution’ – Autumn/Winter 2001-2002
Moët & Chandon
‘L’esprit du Siècle’-award for the Six of Antwerp – 2000
Awarded title ‘Cultural Ambassador of Flanders – 1999
Nomination Fashion Awards in New York – 1998
Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam / Netherlands
Curator ‘Kiss the future’. ‘Shop-Installation’- Project with Marc Newson – 1998
COOPERATIONS
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U2 / BONO
Outfits for the ‘Popmart’ tour
Mustang
Creatin gthe W< – Universum
Coca Cola
Coke – can for the ‘Coke light Fashion Edition Belgium’
Eastpak
Limited Edition by Walter Van Beirendonck
Nissan
Makeover of a Nissan Micra for the Brussels Automobile Fair.
It was sold in favour of the Aids Research department at the Antwerp Tropical Institute.
Theater Company Amsterdam
Costumes for ‘The massacre at Paris’ (Director : Ivo Van Hove)
Royal Ballet of Flanders
Costumes for ‘Not Strictly Rubens’
Rei Kawakubo
Cooperation for Landed 2001 / ‘2 Women’ – Art Directin 5 shows of Comme des Garçons in Antwerp
Marc Newson
Cooperation for Shopconcept W< presented on 13 and 14 March in Paris
‘Kiss the future’ Exhibition in the Boijmans-Van Beuningen Museum Rotterdam
Orlan
Cooperation for Catalogue ‘Believe’
Juergen Teller
Cooperation for fashionshoots and publications
Lidewij Edelkoort
Cooperation on different levels
Tropical Institute Antwerp department Aids research
Fundraising through regular projects
Liveball Vienna
Benefit Fashion show 2000 / Vienna – Austria
Amnesty International
design of Amnesty International T-shirt on the occasion of their 40th Anniversary for fundraising
Ronald Stoops
Cooperation for photoshoots
Inge Grognard
Cooperation for Make-up – projects
Mondino
Cooperation for photoshoots and Portraits of Walter
Bloomingdales
Interactive Windows, New York Fashion Week: exclusive W.&L.T. shopwindows / New York – USA
Starlab
Consultant for intelligent clothing / I – Wear Project / Brussels – Belgium
Woolmark
Lecturer and guest of honour / Melbourne – FFashion Festival Australia
Belgian Television VTM
In cooperation with JBC, Art Director for Levenslijn – Fundraising Project ‘I love Stars’
Bang & Olufsen
Lecture about colour for Bang & Olufsen, Denmark
Paul Boudens
Cooperation for Graphics, catalogues and magazines
Vivienne Westwood
Regular invitations as jury member – Hochschule der Bildenden Kuenste, Berlin
Mr. Pearl
Cooperation on the Mr. Pearl – Room – Landed/Geland 2001
Stephen Jones
Cooperation in several ‘Hat – Projects’
the Avalanches- Australia
T-shirt-project – 2002
Joan Morey
Text-contribution to catalogue of Bad Boys-project/Bienale of Venice
PUBLICATIONS
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Mutilate
Book of Walter Van Beirendoncks first ten years of fashion, launched by Imschoot Uitgevers.
Full colour reproductions and technical tour-de-force on the book manufacturer.
Complete with post-it, stickers, cut-outs and pop-ups… – 1998
Believe
Catalogue bringing together visions of Marc Newson, Orlan and Walter Van Beirendonck.
Especially realised for the exhibition : ‘Kiss the future’ – 1998
Kiss the future
CD-rom
Due to Walter Van Beirendoncks interest in ‘Cyber’ – technology, W< was the first fashionlabel, which
launched a full CD-rom and website, showing besides the collections, information and self-designed games
Paradise Pleasure Productions
CD-rom
Due to Walter Van Beirendoncks interest in ‘Cyber’ – technology, W< was the first fashionlabel, which
launched a full CD-rom and website, showing besides the collections, information and self-designed games
Magazines and Newspaper Publications
See http://www.waltervanbeirendonck.com -> publications
BIG bvba Aalmoezeniersstraat 2 – 1st floor Antwerp 2000 Belgium
Since the appointment of Glenn Martens as Creative Director of Y/Project in 2013, the Paris based label has combined conceptual and inventive detailing with playful proportions and a witty take on historical references.
At the core of Y/Project, Martens has since established an emphasis on individuality and independence. Fusing the energy of the street with thought-provoking silhouettes, his unique take on interpreting masculinity and femininity blends eccentric references with unisex looks that transcend versatility.
In June 2017, Y/Project won the esteemed ANDAM Grand Prize, one of the most respected recognitions in fashion worldwide. And in September 2017, Glenn Martens was selected as one of the Business of Fashion’s 500 people shaping fashion globally today.
Martens’ contemporary expression has created a fascinating narrative for the brand, leading to an impressive period of growth earning both critical acclaim and commercial success. Y/Project has solidified its position within the luxury market with over 150 stockists.
Heimweh
Heimweh
Founded in 2010, HEIMWEH is a luxury men’s undergarments collection that embraces high quality, extreme comfort and timeless design. The name of the brand translated means longing for ones home or country, in this case a nostalgic feeling of missing something that we can’t bring back, or maybe can… The illustrated logo is a trigger to reflect the good old days; positive sensations connected to places, a smell or objects; a phase in time , someone we loved or still love…
Sandro Faber, founder of the collection explores the boundaries between innocent, sometimes naive, and rational side of his character. Brought up by a family of croatian imigrants and moving back to his parents homeland at young age resulted with an exploration of his sense of belonging to a certain place and question what and where is ones home.
The combination of sharp social realistic aesthetics, and poetic, playful nature that he draws from his Slavic background results in an unique character of his collections.
ACHTERLAND VOF Toekomststraat 22 Antwerpen 2140 Belgium
STRØM
STRØMAbout STRØM
The unexpected ways of life brought the 4 of us together in the vibrant city of Antwerp, the so-called ‘Stad aan de Stroom’ (hence the name STRØM). During a warm, cosy evening somewhere in May 2017 we started playing with the idea to come up with a clothing brand that combines high-quality fabrics with recognizable, minimalistic icon designs. The Danish Ø is a direct reference to the beauty and simplicity of Scandinavian minimalistic designs. The brand STRØM was born.
Our history of existence is metaphorical for our corporate DNA and the message we want to bring: Life’s too short to not enjoy happiness & friendship!It is our firm conviction that, despite the situation, everyone should be able to experience the joys of life. Therefore, STRØM partnered with Make-A-Wish® Belgium-Vlaanderen in 2018.
Sustainability also flows through our veins. Our products wear the Fair Wear label and comply with the Organic Blended Cotton Standard. In 2019, we closed another partnership with The Plastic Soup Foundation, a leading global advocacy group that tackles the problem of plastic pollution. In order to walk the talk, we were able to decrease the use of plastic in our supply chain to an absolute minimum by banning any plastic wrappers in our packaging process while instead using recyclable boxes.
As you can see, our exciting journey has only just begun. Many adventures and STRØM moments are still ahead of us. We started the journey with 4 and we would be honored if you join the trip.
Diepestraat 122 bus 3 Antwerp 2060 Belgium
Jan-Jan van Essche
Jan-Jan van EsscheAS FOR MANY OTHERS, THE HUMAN COLLECTIVE CULTURE REMAINS AN ENDLESS INSPIRATION FOR JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE TO CREATE NEW GARMENTS, EACH NEW DESIGN A GENUINE ATTEMPT TO OPEN UP NEW PERSPECTIVES AND TO PUSH CONFLICTING DIALOGUES FORWARD.
WITH EVERY SERIES OF GARMENTS, TRADITIONAL PATTERNS FROM DIFFERENT ETHNO-CULTURAL ORIGINS ARE CAUTIOUSLY STUDIED AND SUBSEQUENTLY INTERPRETED IN THE DESIGNER’S INDIVIDUAL PATTERN LANGUAGE; ONE SPEAKING THE POETRY OF SIMPLICITY.
JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE MOSTLY OPTS TO REMOVE ALL POSSIBLE SEAMS AND MINIMALIZING DETAILS AND CULTURAL CONNOTATION, WHILE MAXIMIZING COMFORT FOR THE WEARER AND THEREFORE PROPOSING AN EXPERIENCE THAT WORKS FROM THE WITHIN.
UNLIKE CLASSIC WESTERN APPROACH TO CONFINE AND SHAPE THE BODY, JAN-JAN PROVIDES THE BODY THE LUXURY AND FREEDOM TO SHAPE THE GARMENT.
HIS SINCERE AND DISCRETE DESIGNS ARE EXECUTED IN CAREFULLY SOURCED, REFINED QUALITY FABRICS OF NATURAL FIBERS, ALL CONTRIBUTING ELEMENTS INDUCING ONES AWARENESS AND STATE OF MIND.
CONTRIBUTING TO THIS STORY OF MINIMIZING ANECDOTIC CONNOTATIONS SOME FABRICS REMAIN UN-DYED OR EVEN LOOM STATE, THE COLOURS ARE RATHER TO THE MUTED PALETTE AND THE BLACK COLOUR WITH ITS ENDLESS SHADES IS ALWAYS PRESENT TO RIGOROUSLY ACCENTUATE THE SILHOUETTES.
JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE CONTINUOUSLY AIMS TO DEVELOP NEW INSIGHTS ON CONTEMPORARY YET EFFORTLESS AND GENDERLESS ELEGANCE.
HIS PIECES ARE LAYERED WITH SUBTLETY, INTEGRATED INTO MODERN-DAY CITY LIFE AND INTO PERSONAL WARDROBES, SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY PLAYING THEIR HUMBLE ROLE IN FINDING CONNECTION AND ACCEPTANCE.
THEY SEE NO BOUNDARIES, NO LIMITATIONS, NO RESTRICTIONS NO EXCLUSIONS.
THE CONVENTIONAL SILHOUETTE IS AMPLIFIED AND EACH INDIVIDUAL GARMENT LITERALLY LEAVES ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION, ENGENDERING OPENNESS.
THE WEARER OF JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE IS A GENTLE SOUL IN CONSTANT DIALOGUE WITH ONE’S PERSONAL CONTEXT AS WELL AS WITH THE WORLD AS A WHOLE.
LIKE THE GARMENTS THE WEARER IS HUMBLE AND IS UNRESTRAINED.
JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE IS BORN IN ANTWERP, BELGIUM, WHERE HE HAS HIS DESIGN STUDIO. HE’S A 2003 GRADUATE OF THE ANTWERP ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS.
IN JUNE 2010 JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE LAUNCHED HIS FIRST EPONYMOUS LABEL AS AN ANNUAL WARDROBE. COLLECTION#1 – ‘YUKKURI’, JAPANESE FOR ‘TAKE IT EASY’ OR ‘SLOWLY’.
THIS TITLE ALSO BECAME HIS INTRINSIC AND CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO CONTEMPORARY WARDROBES AS A DESIGNER.
- COLLECTION#2 – SATTA AMASSAGANA (JUNE 2011)
- COLLECTION#3 – IN AWE (JUNE 2012)
- COLLECTION#4 — UHURU SASA (JUNE 2013)
- COLLECTION#5 — INITE (JUNE 2014)
- COLLECTION#6 — NO MAN IS AN ISLAND (JUNE 2015)
- COLLECTION#7 — AWARE (JUNE 2016)
- COLLECTION#8 — 無 (MU) (JUNE 2017)
- COLLECTION#9 — ONE IN ALL AND ALL IN ONE (JUNE 2018)
- COLLECTION#10 — CODA (JUNE 2019)
- COLLECTION#11 — GRACE (JULY 2020)
- COLLECTION#12 — CYCLE (JUNE 2021)
THE ANNUAL WARDROBES RECEIVED A COUNTERPART IN 2013 WHEN, DUE TO THE WELL RECEIVED PREVIOUS COLLECTIONS, THE DESIGNER DECIDED TO ADD THE PROJECTS, AUTONOMOUS SERIES OF GARMENTS DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO SPECIFIC CRAFTS OR INSPIRATIONS, TAKING THE NECESSARY TIME TO CULTIVATE IDEAS AND UNDERGOING THE SLOW RHYTHM AND PACE OF THE HAND.
THE CREATIVE FREEDOM IS PRESERVED AND IDEAS ARE ENABLED TO FLOURISH.
- PROJECT#1 – PROCEED (JANUARY 2013) — RESEARCH ON PATCHWORK
- PROJECT#2 — REDEEM (JANUARY 2014) &MASH; RESEARCH ON SAKIORI WEAVING
- PROJECT#3 — WADADA (JANUARY 2015) — RESEARCH ON ROPE WEAVING
- PROJECT#4 — EACH ONE TEACH ONE (JANUARY 2016) — RESEARCH ON BORO APPLICATIONS
- PROJECT#5 — ARISE (JANUARY 2017) — PATTERN RESEARCH INSPIRED BY THE KESA GARMENT
- PROJECT#6 — ONE STONE (JANUARY 2018) — PATTERN RESEARCH INSPIRED BY THE AINU KIMONO
- PROJECT#7 — SOLACE (JANUARY 2019) — EMPHASIS ON USE OF FABRICS
- PROJECT#8 — REMEMBRANCE (JANUARY 2020) — RESEARCH ON PADDED GARMENTS & SAKIORI WEAVING
- PROJECT#9 — SUNU (FEBRUARY 2021) — RESEARCH ON PADDED GARMENTS & HAND WOVEN GARMENTS
WADADA BVBA NACHTEGAALSTRAAT 27 ANTWERPEN 2060 BELGIUM
Suit Solutions
Suit Solutions
Are you looking for an experienced tailor? Emin has had his sewing workshop for more than 20 years now. In the beginning, the focus was mainly on retouching for renowned boutiques in and outside Antwerp, and tailor-made clothing.
The tailor Emin Aliyev designs – together with you – your tailor-made clothing. He guides you – step by step – in choosing the fabric, the cut, the lining, the buttons, and other finishes …
Need an experienced tailor?
SuitSolutions has its own workshop for customization, repairs and retouching of all kinds of clothing
Our tailoring services
Have clothing made to measure (retouches)
In recent years, there has also been an increasing demand for a tailor with an eye for the right fit – whether it is to update existing garments or to have newly purchased designer clothes perfectly adapted (retouches) – or to tailor clothing.
Full Tailored Clothing
SuitSolutions also offers the contemporary stylish man tailor-made solutions at very competitive prices. The suits, vests and overcoats are made according to traditional craft methods with sustainable quality fabrics such as vital Barberis, Ariston, Holland & Sherry, Scabal, etc…
Clothing repairs
We all know it, your most beautiful jacket, pants or skirt has a tear, the zipper is broken. It would be a shame to just throw away your expensive clothes and let alone favorite clothes while you can still wear them. That is why we also repair your garments so that you can wear them for a few more years!
How does a tailor work?
Step 1: Make an appointment
To ensure that we can take your measurements in peace, we recommend that you make an appointment in advance. Together with you we look at an ideal moment during or after office hours when it suits you!
Step 2: Take measurements
A perfect fit is crucial for tailoring. The tailor will take your measurements, so he can determine the perfect fit of your garment.
Step 3: Choice of fabrics & accessories
After measuring your measurements, we will discuss the possible fabrics, the color of the lining and all the options with you. The tailor will give you professional advice on all possible finishes.
Step 4: Delivery of Creation
Depending on the complexity, your tailor-made suit, jacket, shirt, trousers or other multi-piece creation will be ready after a few weeks. The tailor checks with you whether everything feels comfortable.
Real craft: more than just designing tailor-made clothing
The profession of a tailor mainly consists of making tailor-made clothes. The craft is thousands of years old and dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. This concerns different types of clothing such as trousers, skirts, jackets, shirts, jackets, but also suits.
A good tailor not only makes new clothes, but also repairs or adjusts clothes according to body measurements. For example, it is about repairing a zipper or taking a pair of pants or vest. That is why we also speak of a tailor, tailor or costume designer!
All the qualities of a good tailor
Is a perfectionist – he works very precisely to offer the customer a garment that fits exactly and is beautifully finished
Is accurate – not only by delivering work that is in line with customer expectations but also the finishing of the creation
Punctual – this by having the garments ready on time on an agreed date so that you can wear it for the occasion
Energetic, customer-oriented, creative – are of course also important qualities or competencies of a good tailor.
Experienced tailor with own studio in Belgium
Are you looking for an experienced tailor in Belgium? SuitSolutions has its tailor shop in the center of Antwerp. Our customers come from East Flanders, West Flanders, Brussels, Flemish Brabant and also the Netherlands for our expertise in tailor-made clothing.
Make an appointment or visit our clothing store where we will be happy to show you the various options for both women’s and men’s clothing, retouches, repairs.
OPENING HOURS
AFTER APPOINTMENT 18.00 – 20.30
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Wednesday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Thursday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Friday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Saturday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 16.30
Closed on Sundays
Frankrijklei 76 Bus 1 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
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.