Shops selling shoes with a Belgian Twist for women
Emanuelle Lebas
Emanuelle LebasMore Info
70S EYEWEAR COLLECTIONS WITH A TWIST
“Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot … and my own grandmother. They are the sources of inspiration for the eyewear collections I designed,” said Brussels award-winning designer Emmanuelle Lebas. Somewhat surreal collections consisting of 27 frames: 20 optical and 7 sunglasses, in different colours, shapes and materials. And inspired by iconic women from the 70s.
“In my childhood memories, I see my grandmother and her sister as iconic women with large glasses. I admired them, just like the stars of the 60s and 70s. I want to pass on that iconic look to all women over the age of 25,” says designer Emmanuelle. “Because you have to admit: such glasses give you personality.”
NOT TOO FEMININE
The names of the glasses also refer to icons from the 70s or to some of Lebas’ loved ones – Brigitte, Jessica and Maria are just a few examples. The frames are made from sustainable cotton and metal, and available in different round, rectangular, small and large models. You can also choose from multiple colours: turtle print, transparent pink, malachite green, orange, nude, gold…
“The focus of the collections is on women – although there are a few unisex models – but the glasses are deliberately not too feminine,” according to Lebas. “I did not want the collections to be too chic, but to be one with a great eye for detail.
ID DESIGNER EMMANUELLE LEBAS
The Belgian designer Emmanuelle Lebas graduated in 2013 as a fashion designer at the Academy of La Cambre in Brussels, after which she immersed herself in the art of making shoes and accessories. She gained experience working with Belgian fashion designer Cathy Pill, clothing brand Cheap Monday and French designer Robert Clergerie, with whom she collaborated to further strengthen her unique vision of the sculptural shoe. Her collections have already been sold through the American Opening Ceremony label.
AWARDS
In 2012 Emmanuelle won the Codefrisko/PURE prize for her collection “If you bring the water, I’ll bring the matches”. A year later she won the Weekend Fashion Award with a collection inspired by both the Serena Williams wardrobe and the ancient Greco-Roman sculptures. Long dresses with a sporty touch. A mix of past and present.
For her creations Emmanuelle Lebas commutes between Brussels and the French capital.
More Info
There once was …
More than 60 years ago, the couple Roger and Simone Decremer-Persoons started the production of luxury slippers in Tildonk. In the 1970s they changed direction: they started a wholesale shoe business and opened a first modest shoe shop under the church tower – the stepping stone to what would later become Carmi. Today the company is led by their eldest son Michel Decremer and his wife Marie-Claire Martens, who have developed Carmi into a beautiful total store for shoes and clothing for the whole family.
Start of a thriving business
The whole story started in 1954, when Roger Decremer and his wife Simone Persoons decided to start their own business. Through a cousin, they came into contact with a supplier that produced rubber soles, and so the idea of making slippers was born. As an engineer, Roger was involved in the design of machines and patterns, Simone chose the materials and drew the designs. The Perro brand – the first letters of Persoons and Roger – was born. Some of the slippers were genuine luxury slippers made from haute couture fabrics, which they were allowed to supply years later to Bally, a well-known Swiss chain of shoe stores. During that period they worked with about sixty people. The entire production took place in Tildonk, in a new building next to the parental home. Today this is still the headquarters of the company, where an enthusiastic team takes care of the accounting, personnel administration, purchasing, marketing, web sales and the warehouse.
From Perro to Shoe Center
Due to the sky-high wage costs, the production of slippers was stopped in 1979. The Perro company, meanwhile a wholesaler in shoes, became an agent for other shoe brands, including Primigi, Bellamy, Gallus, Arima and Arriva. Twice a year the people from the neighborhood could go to the old stitching shop above the head office to buy the remaining slippers and the wholesale stock. An embryonic form of the current Carmi branches, so to speak. Not much later, Roger and Simone opened their first shoe store, the Shoe Center. In addition to Perro’s own slippers, customers found various men’s, women’s and children’s shoe collections there.
Carmi sees the light of day
Under the impulse of their eldest son Michel, the Decremer family again went in search of renewal and expansion. In 1985 they were able to acquire a spacious and well-located building in Zemst. Just outside the center, the former Carpetland building became vacant, with a spacious parking lot. There the first building blocks would be laid for what Carmi is today: the shopping address in the region with more than 300 top brands in shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories under one roof. The opening was an overwhelming success. Michel: “In a press campaign we announced that the first five hundred visitors would receive a barbecue as a gift. There has been a long queue from early in the morning. It was a bull’s eye.”
The offer is expanding
About five years later, Werner also joined the business, after which the two brothers continued to build on the success of Zemst. In 1988 the store in Tildonk was closed and moved to Korbeek-Lo: the second Carmi was a fact. And in 2002 a third branch was opened in Aubel in Wallonia. Initially, Carmi only sold children’s, women’s and men’s shoes, but afterwards also a limited range of casual wear. About fifteen years after the start of Carmi, the range was expanded to a full-fledged clothing collection.
Family business pur sang
In the 1990s, the Decremer family opened four Mephisto stores in Brussels, Antwerp, Hasselt and Knokke. And there is also the Kid children’s shoe store in Leuven, and the Gabor shops in Ghent and Knokke. The Carmi’s in Zemst and Korbeek-Lo have since been repeatedly renovated and enlarged to accommodate the increasingly extensive range.
At the end of 2016, Werner and his wife Kathy, who had been in charge of the marketing department for a dozen years, decided to take their careers in a new direction. In the meantime, Elke and Jan, the children of Michel and Marie-Claire, have also started in the business.
Everything starts with the customer
A great deal of attention is paid to service and customer-friendliness in the training of sales personnel. “Whatever you buy, at Carmi you can count on personal service. Our experienced employees are always ready to give the appropriate advice. And we notice that the customer is asking that more and more. Our saleswomen and salespeople regularly attend refresher courses at the various brands. In this way they can guide the customer even better with his purchase”, says Michel. “The role of the Carmi team is very important. We try to surround ourselves with the best people, in the stores and also at our administrative services and in the warehouse in Tildonk. Our after-sales service is also supported by two experienced master shoemakers, which is an enormous added value for the customer.”
Finger on the pulse
Marie-Claire, Michel, Elke and Jan are also in the shops as much as possible, in order to keep in touch with the customer. “We only exist thanks to the customers and you have to earn them every day,” Michel says. “Hence the wide range of more than 300 top brands for women, men and children at Carmi and the largest possible range within each brand. The customer really has to find everything in the store. Only then is a visit to a Carmi store worth the trip. The webshop also sells the entire range of shoes, slippers, handbags and accessories. We keep our finger on the pulse when it comes to fashion. Brands come and go, and we have to be very vigilant that we have the right offer at the right time. Because our customers come to us for their favorite brand. It is our job to ensure that we have it in-house.”
Social engagement
Right from the start, Carmi has consistently drawn the card of social engagement. With the Senden Home shelter in the Philippines, there has been sponsorship for many years amounting to 2% of the turnover of the children’s shoes. In 1997, a permanent partnership was started with Natuurpunt Oost-Brabant. Since 2012, Carmi has also provided support to the Kenyan Ilkujuka in Loïta Hills. An initiative that was followed in the sector and we applaud that at Carmi: the more of these types of initiatives, the better.
Carmi through the years
Today Carmi has been around for 32 years. We take you on a journey through time!
1954 Start production luxury slippers
1972 Establishment of wholesaler
1976 Opening of Shoe Center Tildonk schoenen shoe store
1979 Stopping slipper production
1985 Opening Carmi Zemst
1988 Opening Carmi Korbeek-Lo, closing Shoe Center Tildonk
1995 Opening of the first Mephisto Shop in Brussels
1997 Opening Mephisto Shop Antwerp
1999 Opening Mephisto Shop Hasselt
2001 Opening Mephisto Shop Knokke
2002 Opening Carmi Aubel
2011 Launch of the Carmi webshop
2015 Opening Gabor Shop Ghent and Knokke
Brusselsesteenweg 129 Zemst 1980 Belgium
Tiensesteenweg 8 Bierbeek 3360 Belgium
Het Oorcussen
Het OorcussenVrijdagmarkt 7 Gent 9000 Belgium
Van Loock
Van LoockMore Info
OVER ONS
Al 75 jaar lang is Van Loock een gevestigde waarde op het gebied van schoenen en lederwaren. In 1946 begon grootvader Albert Van Loock de boerderijen in de buurt te bezoeken met zijn bakfiets, waarin enkele schoenen zaten verstopt. De mensen konden de juiste maat bestellen, en die werd dan enkele weken later aan huis geleverd. Na enkele jaren maakte grootmoeder Yvonne een klein plaatsje vrij in het café, en dat werd de allereerste etalage.
Het kleine winkeltje werd een echte schoenwinkel, waar ondertussen ook handtassen en andere accessoires worden verkocht. Yvonne, en later hun twee dochters, hielpen mee in de winkel. Na verschillende verbouwingen bleef de zaak groeien, en in 1991 kregen de heren hun eigen afdeling. Later, in 1997, kwam er ook een aparte kinderafdeling. De drie kinderen van dochter Rita werken ondertussen ook voltijds mee in de zaak van hun ouders.
In 2009 was het tijd voor de voorlopig laatste verbouwing, en werd er plaats gemaakt voor een aparte handtassenafdeling. Ook reiskoffers en boekentassen hebben nu hun eigen plaats. Voor het ontwerp werd de Belgische architect Vincent Van Duysen aangesproken, die de opdracht kreeg om een strakke winkel te maken met aandacht voor mooie materialen, en waar de schoenen en tassen de aandacht krijgen die ze verdienen. Hij is daar meer dan in geslaagd, daarvan getuigen de vele positieve reacties van klanten en schoenliefhebbers.
Langestraat 49 Zandhoven 2240 Belgium
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 YéYé, 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 😉
Happy shopping!
Greetings,
Charlien
Vrijheidsstraat 1A bus 12 Denderleeuw 9470 Belgium
More Info
JUNE TEAM
June in The City is het geesteskind van Sophie Knockaert. In 2012 opende ze een eerste hub in Heverlee, in 2017 volgde een hub in Genk waar haar zus Michèle het voortouw neemt. Ondertussen worden Sophie en Michèle in beide hubs bijgestaan door een enthousiast team!
IK KOOP BELGISCH
June in The City is een fiere ambassadeur van het ‘Ik Koop Belgisch’ label. Je vindt in de beide hubs een 16-tal Belgische merken van Bellerose over Magdalena tot Aymara en Just in Case. Ook voor accessoires en schoenen van Belgische bodem zit je hier goed: zo val je er voor de minimalistische juwelen van OLA of de subtiele en toch opvallende schoenen van Atelier Content. Daarnaast tekent het Britse merk Ted Baker voor excentriciteit en zorgen labels zoals Katia G. en MaxMara voor Italiaanse flair.
SHOPBELEVING
June in the City staat voor een aangename winkelervaring op maat. Je kan er regelmatig terecht voor zondag shoppings en shopavonden. Evengoed ontdek je de kledingcollecties tijdens pop-ups op verrassende locaties.
PRIVATE SHOPPING
Wil je alleen of met een groep vriendinnen in alle rust komen winkelen? Samen shoppen en gezellig een glas drinken? Dan organiseert June in the City een private shopavond die bij je past. Neem gerust contact op via een van onze twee hubs mocht je hierover extra informatie wensen.
EVENTS
Daarnaast organiseren Sophie en Michèle events zoals ontmoetingen met ontwerpers, consult
Naamsesteenweg 384 Heverlee 3001 Belgium
Winterslagstraat 40 Genk 3600 Belgium
Stijl
StijlMore Info
ABOUT STIJL
Situated in the heart of downtown Brussels, STIJL is a multi-label luxury designer store with two locations. As an early supporter of independent Belgian and innovative international design, founder Sonja Noël opened the first store in the mid-eighties, starting with the Antwerp Six. The store soon became known for its specialized and highly curated selection, as well as its focus on personal advice towards clients and exceptional interior design.
Throughout the years, this innovative and daring vision was translated into a variety of other projects, sparking the resurgence and development of the vibrant Dansaert area, such as STIJL men, STIJL underwear, the continuation of children’s store Kat & Muis (both still staples in the area, now under different owners), the first Maison Martin Margiela store in Brussels, and eco-concept store Haleluja (now transformed into STIJL men).
Over the past three decades, STIJL has continuously strived to support emerging talent and independent creation, choosing designers for their unique voice. This is what gives the store its eclectic identity, from the bold and colourful Dries Van Noten or the sleek and romantic Ann Demeulemeester, to the daring Y/Project and art-inspired Raf Simons, down to the avant-garde Rick Owens, colourful Christian Wijnants and of course Maison Margiela.
This approach now found an additional home online, where we invite visitors to discover and admire the designwork before bringing it home ‒ just like our many window displays have done over the years. Please feel welcome to visit our physical store for additional guidance.
6 Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains Brussels 1000 Belgium
Rue A. Dansaertstraat 74 Brussels 1000 Belgium
More Info
Our Story
THIRON is an Antwerp-based shoe label that presented its first shoe collection in the winter of 2014. His love for fashion inspired Industrial designer Guy Thiron to create his own shoe label. THIRON is known for it’s timeless designs with a fashion-forward sensibility. Sophisticated details in high quality materials characterise the collections, all of which are finished in renowned factories.
THIRON is distributed in the best boutiques in Belgium and internationally in respected stores.
Sint-Antoniusstraat 2 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
More Info
—
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 🙂
—
Experience is not required. Only good eyes, and your good mood!
—
You will find below the calendar of workshops. And at the bottom of the page you have more info & pictures about each workshop.
—
Note that we also offer customised and team building workshops. Do not hesitate to contact us 🙂
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 people’s 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 artisans’ 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 🙂
+++ 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
More Info
Foempies.com is an online webshop in management of Drie Koningen Shoe.
We are a Belgian family company since 1962 with a passion for shoes.
We are the official seller and trademark owner of the sneaker brand Foempies®
Driekoningenstraat 19 Berchem 2600 Belgium