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PURE MATERIALS
The more durable pieces are the ones we treasure. ‘They grow on you’. Natural materials absorb the traces of our life and leave a personal patina. They will look better the more you wear them.
Every piece will be unique with it’s natural marks. This is a sign of quality.
UNIQUE
There are as many unique DCEMBER bags, as there are unique women. Just like the interior of your house, you start from a base and accessorise according to your mood or season.
Beloved objects become icons for what we stand for.
CONSCIOUS
The way we consume makes us aware how we love and treat life. All our bags are handcrafted in Italy by local artisans and all materials are treated naturally.
With DCEMBER you choose for a transparent production process which is kind to people and environment.
“A DCEMBER bag is a lifetime piece with endless possibilities day by day, all over again.”
Who we are
DCEMBER is an Antwerp (Belgium) based design label founded by designer Florien Pénard and her husband Olivier.
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
My inspiration stems from my walk of life. Born in the magic month of December, the love for pure materials was passed on to me from a very young age. Like the scent of wooden art objects carved by my father. Or the soft touch of the leather handbag my grandmother made herself.
WHEN DID YOU START DESIGNING?
Graduating from the academy of fine arts in the Netherlands, I pursued my passion for design at Kenzo in Paris and later on as lead designer at Dirk Bikkembergs in Italy.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THIS COLLECTION?
When my kids, Zoé and Louie, started personalizing their saddle leather schoolbags, I started thinking … “I want that too!”
A companion, that is an extension of my personality and adapts to every season and occasion.
DCEMBER was born…
Florien Pénard
Michael Guérisse O’Leary
Michael Guérisse O’LearyMore Info
After graduating from the Victor Horta Institute of Architecture in Brussels, Michael Guérisse O’Leary studied leatherwork at Les Arts et Métiers de Bruxelles under a master craftsman from the Maison Delvaux.
In his designs one can see architectural influence subtly expressed through geometric and sculptured forms.
Each piece is carefully handcrafted with great measure of care in a constant pursuit of perfect proportions, simplicity and unconventional beauty.
The collections are inspired by master architects and designers such as Andrée Putman, Gae Aulenti, Gio Ponti, Richard Serra, Alvar Aalto.
As a tribute to his grandfather, he decided to name his brand after him. Albert Guérisse was a member of the belgian resistance during the Second World War. After Belgium was forced to surrender, he escaped to Great Britain to continue the fight under the cover name of ‘Pat O’Leary’. In London he met secret agent Sylvia Coopersmith, working for Military Intelligence. He eventually married her in 1946.
Pat O’Leary went on to organize one of the biggest escape routes of the Second World War.
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How it all started
KAAI was founded in 2017 in Antwerp, Belgium, by Ine Verhaert and Helga Meersmans who set out to reimagine the perfect work-life bag for the eclectic woman with exquisite style standards.
Before, the duo spent a lot of time travelling around the world. Rushing from one meeting to the next during their corporate careers. Their main companions: a laptop, a mobile phone, lots of paperwork, and women’s essentials, all stuffed into their handbags.
Desperately looking for a stylish bag to complement their active lifestyles, they knew they could do better. So they got a handle (pun intended) on their idea: creating a new bag concept for women on the go.
Capturing the ongoing energy of the city and the ever-moving water of Antwerp, KAAI (meaning ‘the quay’ in Dutch) symbolises the fluidity of modern women, going places.
By women, for women
We take inspiration from the lives and desires of successful modern women.
From in-depth interviews with active women, discussing their relationships with their bags we discovered that women are:
‣ irritated by the chaos in their fashionable but often impractical handbags,
‣ bored with the masculine looks of their workbags.
KAAI brings change by creating bags that are both functional and fashionable, feminine and fearless.
We empower women to follow their ambitions. On their terms —without compromises.
Sophisticated simplicity
Drawing inspiration from the colours and pure graphic lines of Art Deco, we reinterpret this era’s timeless allure into magically modern, minimalist handbags with forever appeal.
Both contemporary and utterly covetable, we design for a variety of occasions. From casual to formal, from day to night.
Nationalestraat 91 Antwerp 2000 Belgium
Galerie du Roi, 21 Brussels 1000 Belgium
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ABOUT US
NIELS PEERAER
is an eponymous leather goods label, founded by Antwerp designer Niels Peeraer, established and based in Paris ca. 2011
VISION & CHAPTER 2/
After 8 years of introducing our “no limit to cuteness” it’s time to start writing a second chapter to our storyline, and use a more translated approach to cuteness. Continuing a genderless balance of sensitivity vs. toughness, but shifting from a focus on ornamentation to a more elaborate form study and styling versatility, while keeping our practical architectural volumes.
We decided to still keep our first generation classics available in our Made to Order section, which will be handmade in our Paris atelier. All our pieces are created without any gender-tag, they are here for to any human who feels connected to them.
TECHNIQUE/
Niels Peeraer bags have no stitching, and are entirely assembled through screws and custom made gold or nickle hardware.
Through this self-developed technique we can achieve cleaner lines and strength on our pieces.
MATERIAL AND SUSTAINABILITY/
Our vegetable tanned cow hide is sourced from Scandinavia, as a byproduct from meat consumption. In respect for the animal, we use the leather in its entirety, including parts that others might regard as imperfections.
We’re strong believers in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi 「侘寂」, finding beauty in imperfections, always with deep respect and appreciation for the integrity of the natural materials and processes.
We do not use lining or cover the inside of our pieces, but use a special waxing-process to create a smooth surface, as well as use a natural gum-based finish for our edges. It’s important for us not to use any chemical or environmental toxic component within our materials, nor production process.
All our materials are sourced within Europe and our pieces are handmade in either Spain or our own atelier in Paris, to minimize our footprint.
17 Rue de Picardie Paris 75003 France
Retro Verso
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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
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THE STORY
A Belgian twist on atypical fashion
You’re the woman who knows what she wants. Big dreams don’t scare you. In fact, they push you to be bolder. You know what makes you you and are not afraid to show it. At Awardt, we encourage you with the right accessories. As a Belgian female-powered brand, we’ll make sure you have the right, atypical bag, hat or scarf to match your unique soul.
Atelier Zennegatvaart 17 Mechelen 2800 Belgium
Shop Adegemstraat 3 Mechelen 2800 Belgium
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ABOUT US
Atelier Felis creates unique accessories out of recycled leather. By buying the products from Atelier Felis you support a small business owner who puts her time, energy and passion into creating an ecologically responsible product. You’re not only buying a nice and high-quality product that can be used for years to come, but you are also supporting a sustainable project.
We begin our design process by looking at materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. “Rather than starting with what could we make?” we start with “what can we make with the ‘waste’ that we sourced”.
Atelier Felis only uses 100% recycled leather. This leather can be reclaimed from discarded, damaged or out of fashion garments. But can also come from old couches or are remnants from the leather industry that would otherwise end up in the waste stream. All the materials we use also look great and are designed to last.
Because Atelier Felis only works with recycled leather, every piece is one-of-a-kind. There are only small amounts of each type of leather or color, making each piece a new experiment. Because of this our products are always limited and unique. This provides you with an alternative to mass-produced bags and accessories.
From start to finish, every item is Made in Belgium, in our studio in Antwerp. Atelier Felis resolutely opts for small, sustainable collections in a limited edition. We are committed to working locally and doing all the design and production in-house, with a focus on both function and style. We also take steps to keep the waste in our studio to a minimum. We make every scrap count!
MISSION
Founded with the aim of enhancing sustainable production, Atelier Felis shows that we can transform waste materials into timeless and functional items that don’t chase trends and stand the test of time. All our products are made with leather sourced from post-consumer waste stream and industrial surplus. Starting with used leather garments and discarded leather due to damages or fashion trends we make beautiful, timeless accessories that are environmentally responsible at the same time.
Each and every Atelier Felis item is fully created, start to finish, in our studio in Antwerp, Belgium. We are committed to staying local and all the design and manufacturing is done in house.
Vaartdijk 53, Wijnegem 2110 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
Acie’s Cabinet
Acie’s CabinetMore Info
Handmade. Unique. Belgian.
Hi!
Welcome to Acie’s Cabinet.
First of all, I would like to thank you for taking your time to visit my website. I really appreciate it.
My name is Amber. I’m a bookworm, cat lover and potterhead; I’m a creative soul and am a fan of nordic noir (or ‘noir’ in general, really 😉).
In 2017 I started my small company Acie.
In this digital cabinet, you can find all manner of accessories for yourself, your house or your family and friends.
After having received multiple trainings (fashion design, historical costume, leather works and bookbinding), I combine different trades in unique items.
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There are certain choices I make for ecological reasons. In my personal life, this means I never travel by aeroplane (or, indeed, seldom travel at all), and in my professional life as well, I strive to have a low impact on the environment.
The number of items I produce out of one particular fabric is limited, and never will two accessories look 100% alike. Because I create items in small amounts, it is perfectly possible to create different kinds of accessories with one fabric. I design and make everything in my atelier in Belgium.
Most items are packed in upcycled boxes, and are shipped with pre-used packaging as much as possible.
Materials
The fabrics I use are purchased or designed in small amounts. Not only does this intensify the uniqueness of the accessories, it also means I have very little “waste”. I save all the scraps of fabric that are left from projects, to create new pieces with later on.
Furthermore, I buy from local shops and fairs and often go to factory sales, to rescue fabric that would otherwise be thrown away.
Linen is one of my favourite materials to work with. Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant. This plant does not attract a lot of harmful insects, which means farmers don’t have to use pesticides to protect their harvest.
Flax needs very little water and produces a lot of fibres. Isn’t that just great?!
Leather is a material that is often not considered environmentally friendly. There are a lot of chemicals involved in the tanning process. However, there are a few steps we can take to make it a bit less harmful:
The leather I use to create bow ties with, are scraps from a shoemaking factory. The leftover pieces are too small to cut into shoe panels, but are perfect for the creation of bow ties! Zero waste fashion: check!
If I need bigger pieces of leather, I go to local shops to purchase leather that is already on hand. This means leather is never ordered or designed especially for me. Sometimes I even get the chance to find some second hand rescue leather, which always makes me very happy! The scraps from these hides are also saved to produce small items with, for example The Book Manager.
If leather is cared for properly, it will last many, many years. By buying less but better, we can all help a little in our ‘Save the planet’-mission!
Schooling
As mentioned above, I received multiple trainings:
Fashion design
Bookbinding
Leatherworks
Furthermore, I did courses in millinery, historical costume, and I learnt how to mend clothes.
I always continue to learn. I think it is important to keep improving your skills, and thanks to the combination of courses, I’ve learnt a few tricks of the trade. Or, rather, trades 😉.
Please roam freely! The pictures on this website show the kind of items I usually make. You can place an order in my webshop.
If you see an item you like, but would prefer a different colour or material, don’t hesitate to contact me for a custom order.
See you soon!
Amber
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About
In 2018, we started Dew to shake the bag and accessory market up. Empowered by the people through crowdfunding, our original bag line set us apart by bringing you gear that perfectly blends outdoor performance with urban aesthetics.
We’re inspired by the city, the dare-devils, the innovators, the dreamers; and our creations embody this very spirit. They’re built for adventuring, for city dwelling, for showing off. Because let’s be real. In the end, you just want to stand out from the crowd.
Above all else, we create to live by our ultimate mission: to inspire you to live on your own terms.
Jonathan has several years of experience designing new physical and digital products for different brands. He is in charge for all things design and creative, with a keen eye for sleek aesthetics.
David’s experience as a commercial representative for different companies, David holds the responsibility of all the commercial aspects: from marketing all the way to one-on-one customer service.
Whenever you get in touch with us, you’ll be getting an answer directly from one of us!
Our design ethos.
The refined rebel, the urban driven nature lover and the stylish functionalist. We represent them all.
These 5 core values define the DNA of our brand and creations.
Urban inspired.
The city inspires us, with its movements, its architecture, its life. We fuse urban colors, lines and shapes into gear for the streets.
Standout from the crowd.
We include only the necessary, but make it look extraordinary. We make it our mission to only make creations that stand out from the crowd.
Reliability.
We want your gear to be safe. We only source for the right materials to get whatever job done. Let’s keep the elements away from your precious stuff.
Functional elegance.
We embrace technical features by making them part of the aesthetics. Some of Dew’s functionalities are visible, others are hidden. What you don’t see, is what you also get.
Style driven.
The Antwerp Fashion Academy influences our streets. It’s hard to not get inspired by the outfits that wander the alleys of Antwerp. We simply observe, extract, mix and create: we like to call it streetproof.
Verbondstraat 95 Antwerp 2000 Belgium