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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
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JASNA ROKEGEM
A young and energetic pioneer in combining innovative fashion and cutting-edge technology. Not only in creating unique projects and collections, but also in bringing these to life by using techniques such as virtual and augmented reality. She has a strong vision on the clothing of the future and how it can add value to our daily lives. To achieve more and think further, Jasna likes working closely together with professional partners from around the globe.
These collaborations and projects brought her a lot of recognition and exposure. As a result she received various awards, gives lectures and gets invited to big events in different fields.
In January 2016, aged 23, she founded Jasna Rok, the first FashTech design studio in Belgium.
Jasna Rok provides a window to show the endless possibilities of technology and science today, by making them visible, tangible and understandable for the big audience through interactive fashion.
Raapstraat 6 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Tine De Cleer
Tine De CleerInfo
Passion and quirkiness
Passionate about fashion, fabrics and developing patterns, Tine writes her life story with needle and thread.
Tine studied Fashion & Textile in Ghent and specialized in pattern drawing. After her studies, she started working for renowned designers and worked for major Belgian fashion houses.
Among other things, she was responsible for Kaat Tilley’s foreign clients. “I flew to Los Angeles where I, together with Kate, made the evening dresses of stars like Melanie Griffith for the Golden Globes”. In addition, Tine invariably works with Jean Paul Knott, someone she can call a friend in addition to being a colleague.
Tine has been making wedding dresses for over 20 years: “As long as I can remember, I have had an unconditional love for bridal wear. Being a part of a love story and making someone’s dream day come true is very special. Bridal attire always appeals to the imagination. Only the most beautiful materials are good enough.”
Every wedding dress is unique and contains a piece of Tine’s quirkiness. “When all the individual elements – from the pattern, to the cut, the smallest details and the personal touch of the bride – come together, a dress really becomes special.”
“Seeing a dress come to life little by little
coming is one of my favorite things.”
Unique and personal
“With my concept I bring a collection of several silhouettes. Those pieces form a foundation for both the bride and me. The bride-to-be always has an idea of the model, the cut and the choice of fabric, but the greatest source of inspiration remains the bride herself. Her body shape, wishes and needs remain the most important elements for a perfect wedding dress.”
From the first acquaintance, measuring, patterns, fabric choice to cutting, stitching, fitting and the very last finishing touch, Tine goes through the process from start to finish. And she always does this with the bride in mind: “Only in this way can the bridal outfit be the perfect reflection of the bride, her character, her figure, movements and so on.”.
In addition to bridal couture, ladies can also contact Tine for tailor-made evening wear and timeless basics. Her professional style advice and eye for detail ensure that every outfit tells a personal story.
Berkenlaan 20 Hasselt 3500 Belgium
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Our Story
Belgian designer Alexandra Jacmin and her entrepreneur twin sister Ségolène Jacmin established their eco-conscious label FAÇON JACMIN in 2016. After graduating from La Cambre, Alexandra worked for Maison Martin Margiela and Jean-Paul Gaultier. The duo has since carved out a unique position amongst Belgium’s most innovative emerging talents.
FAÇON JACMIN is an attitude. With their label, the twins aime to give women more confidence and empower them in their everyday life, helping to express themselves to the fullest.
Alexandra’s designs explore the codes of seduction, and the alliance of masculinity and femininity. If denim remains her field of predilection, other fabrics are intertwined with it, to present a playful silhouette, meddling boldness and charm – a vision for an eco-conscious, modern, desirable, and determined woman.
Next to the main collections, capsule collections made of up-cycled designs are crafted by hand in our atelier in Antwerp and revealed once a year.
FAÇON JACMIN was awarded “Best Talent 2016” by C’est du Belge/RTBF, and a year later, in 2017 an award for “Best Emerging Talent” at the Belgian Fashion Awards.
A Japanese love story
FAÇON JACMIN has a certain affinity for denim, and more particularly for Japanese denim, giving the clothes finesse and durability. Japan, renowned globally for producing the best denim, has managed to preserve their traditional, artisanal craft creating an affinity to authenticity.
The natural indigo, a dye that is among one of the oldest, gives the pieces a rich colour, as well as a rich history. Natural indigo is still used in Japan, resulting in deep blues and improved wear resistance. They work with traditional machines that create a tighter weaving pattern improving resilience, while offering strength and delicateness at the same time. Japanese denim, supported by the culture of perfectionism, has a premium and distinctive composition that has become the nation’s pride, leaving a mark in Japanese modern history – a history that is a true mix of tradition and innovation.
Since the beginning of FAÇON JACMIN, the twins have been influenced and passionate about embracing Japan and its rich culture.
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Meet Tutu Chic, a Belgian fashion brand that represents the motto “La vie en Rose” 100%.
BRAND PROFILE
The Belgian fashion- and lifestyle label TUTU CHIC of fashion designer Freya Poppe, is well known for the motto “La Vie en Rose”. Since 2012, TUTU CHIC creates luxurious, stylish and happy outfits for women who want to stand out from the crowd. Customers from over the whole world fancy the pink lifestyle of this ambitious fashion label. “Let women, feel and BE women, strong, powerful ladybosses, with a poppy and happy twist” – Freya Poppe
ABOUT TUTU CHIC
TUTU CHIC was founded in 2012 by the Belgian fashion – entrepreneur Freya Poppe. Within a few years, lots of hard work (powered by her passion and her entrepreneur-skills), Freya managed to build this strong brand from scratch.
The pink lifestyle label stands for luxurious signature pieces, with a big heart for colors and stylish cuts.
Freya Poppe is the daughter of a creative entrepreneurs’ family and worked from very young age as entrepreneur and creative brain. For years she studied fashion design in Antwerp and worked very hard to get her fashion skills on point. “How can I call myself a real designer, if I wouldn’t understand how for example a pattern is assembled?” Her several business degrees and experiences gave her the courage to start the company. TUTU CHIC was born. A brand with a particularly chic, positive and exclusive look that was still lacking in the Belgian market.
Signature pieces like the hand knitted vests, the luxurious fabrics, the love for colours are just a few examples of the strong brand.
Today, TUTU CHIC is sold in more than 40 partner stores and the collections are available over the whole world throughout the official webshop: http://www.tutuchic.be
(PINK) AMBITION
Since 2016 the ambitious Freya got some national fame through 2 seasons of the television show on VIJF “Pink Ambition”.
The HQ (headquarters), atelier and showroom of TUTU CHIC have been located from June 2016 in a complete new building in Kruibeke (near Antwerp). The HQ, provides extra room for further growth of the successful brand. With two main collections per year, our own atelier and never-out of stock items, TUTU CHIC has gained a solid market position.
As entrepreneur, she is always on the go, and looking for the next step. Next to our own Gin, Tutu Chic launched their first shoe collection. Alongside Tutu Chic, exists Tutu Dors. The bedding brand for which Freya has designed her own line of
boxsprings, mattresses and sheets in the same spirit as the clothing line, so customers can really immerse themselves into the Tutu Chic world.
Valérie Berckmans
Valérie BerckmansInfo
In her boutique-atelier at rue Van Artevelde, Brussels, Valérie Berckmans designs a women’s ready-to-wear line since 2006. Under her eponymous brand, she creates a collection in a graphic and minimalist style, evoking an airy femininity often brightened up with particular details.
Each piece that leaves her workshop is meticulously crafted with fair trade, organic or alternative raw materials (deadstock of fabrics, upcycled vintage pieces).
She is having her collection produced exclusively in Belgian and French workshops to maintain the local know-how and reduce the ecological footprint of her project.
Since April 2021, she works in duo with the fashion designer Théo Auquière on the design of the collection.
In the “boutique-atelier”, nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed into ethical & ecological creations!
From this philosophy was born their zero-waste project. The fabric leftovers from the women’s production are offering new stylistic, practical and circular perspectives, translating into a children collection, ladies underwear & cotton pads, among others.
Valérie Berckmans also sells in the shop creations of other Belgian designers who share the same sustainable philosophy : Atelier Content (shoes), Géraldine Bertrand (knitwear), Aymara (knitwear), O’Leary (leather accessories).
Rue Van Arteveldestraat, 8 Brussels 1000 Belgium
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Fashion is the Extension of Imagination:
Perfectionist, objective observant, sincere and above all spontaneous, Esmeralda has built on her experiences by working with different companies, while always following a positive philosophy.
Please click on the middle crosses for more details.
Born in Strasbourg (France),…
the child of a Spanish artist mother, she started travelling and drawing at a very early age. She lived her childhood mostly between Berlin (Germany) and Conil de la Frontera (Spain) surrounded by various fabrics and paintings of her mother, who was her biggest Muse. The great contrast between both cities of her childhood also enlarged her cultural and artistic mind.
With a desire to discover more cultures,…
she embarked on an international business career in Strasbourg. However, her artistic soul was stirring and thus with no hesitation, she left to Brussels in order to make her dream come true: to become a Fashion Designer.
During those three years studying in Brussels…
she discovered the Art Nouveau, and was integrated into the fashion world. She designed successfully unique creations for the Fantasy Film Festival and for the Bouglione Circus. She also took part in catwalks, and did her work experience in an Haute Couture company in Berlin. Her most enriching experience was her first public fashion show, with her haute couture collection, inspired by Chess game. This was when she realized that being a fashion designer would always be her passion.
She returned to her roots in Barcelona…
and worked for CUSTO BARCELONA. Following her experience at Custo Barcelona, she created a fashion shoe collection for Juba Trading Portugal.
In order to improve her technical and creative skills as a designer,…
she integrated into the team at Levi Strauss Europe in Brussels. After this, she joined the pioneer team in Amsterdam to build up LEVI’S XX with amazing brands LVC (Levi’s Vintage Clothing) and LMC (Levi’s Made and Crafted).
Following her ever-present need for quality growing experience,…
she worked for BVBA 32 in Antwerp for the luxury prêt-a-porter brand, Thimister.
Finally, the moment to explore new challenges arrived…
The dream of an 8 year old girl had to become reality, so, in March 2013, she decided to launch her very own brand,SMARACK.
Since then,…
she has participated in several catwalks and designer tradeshows.
Now,her brand SMARACK and tailoring service continues to grow,…
as builds a powerful reputation in the design world. She is freelancing and consulting other major design brands.
Rue des Chartreux, 48b Kartuizersstraat 1st floor Brussels 1000 Belgium
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SPRANKELEND STIJLVOLLE DAMESKLEDING
Vrouwelijkheid ten top
Ons uitgangspunt is de vrouw. Wat vindt zij van een bepaald kledingstuk, hoe bevalt de kleur, hoe ervaart ze het comfort van een zekere pasvorm. Onze damescollecties zijn uitermate geschikt voor een vrouw die zelfzeker en vrolijk in het leven staat en er absoluut niet voor terugschrikt om dat ook aan de buitenwereld te tonen. Paspoppen zijn zichtbaar in de winkel, maar tijdens het ontwerpproces blijven ze ver uit het zicht. Niets kan immers tippen aan de vormen van échte modellen, waarop elk collectiestuk wordt getest en gekeurd.
Designed in Belgium, made in Italy
Geen ingetogen kledij, maar ook niet overdadig. Due Amanti ging voor de gulden middenweg; just right. Klasse hoeft niet saai te zijn; wij verkiezen sprankelend stijlvol. Geregeld reizen we af naar Italië om samen met onze fabrikanten te brainstormen, uit te proberen, aan te passen en uiteindelijk te creëren.
HOGESTRAAT 111 HOOGLEDE 8830 Belgium
Vieux Jeu
Vieux JeuInfo
About
When you’ve tricked yourself out in a tennis class on a heavy scheduled day, you’ll need a good looking outfit to finish the day in. Hit the court with Vieux Jeu, the modernist sportswear label by Belgian designer Claudia Storme, whose polished yet effortless collection might be just what you’re looking for.
The trend is a classic: we all have a busy schedule but we don’t want to give up our sports class. ‘If you want to make it happen, it’s wise to prioritize style over function’, dixit Claudia Storme.
Discover the boho allure of Vieux Jeu, the Belgian label that captures the mood of a bygone era. Claudia Storme gets inspiration from one of the oldest games. Yet looking to the past doesn’t always suggest a yearning for what’s lost; rather, a desire to reinvent and redeem.
The go-to label for beautiful yet functional tennis clothing and accessories with that easy-to-wear je ne sais quoi, Vieux Jeu celebrates the glamour of a lost era, giving classical shapes a modern spin.
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no more grey days – upcycled fashion products
NMGD designs, reworks and upcycles for fashion lovers who wish to support our ambition to create sustainable fashion. We capture the beauty and value of what is already out there and creatively rework second hand- flee market findings, fabric cut offs or overstock to new, beloved products. With natural dyes and hand-stitched artwork we avoid chemical printing processes.
Every single piece is therefore personal and unique with an individual note.
no more grey days opposes fast fashion and mass production and is created locally, one-at-a-time. as a passion.
For those who want to do good to themselves by purchasing a unique, beautiful piece, and at the same time spare our planet a fraction of further exploitation.
de merodelei 31 Antwerpen 2600 Belgium