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DIDDA
Being a ‘touche à tout’ with a theoretical background in art history & anthropology, and a bottom-up one in i.a. jewelry-design, sculpture, maroquinerie, I found myself playing around with leather way too long… So, that’s when DIDDA came up.
DIDDA was born out of a passion for craftsmanship and the desire to make durable goods with personality. Is it possible to merge beauty, functionality and sustainability?
For me, there’s nothing more challenging and rewarding than building a solid companion – to care and carry – out of a skin with my bare hands. And also, I admit, just for the smell of it…
I love building functional goods; playing with dualities; line vs volume, format and function, contrast in materials and texture, concept vs detail, directness and confusion, always searching for that certain tension.
PRODUCTION
All my leather goods are unique and handmade in my modernist rooftop-atelier in Laken – Belgium.
DIDDA proposes a main ‘solid’ collection and a more volatile one; a series of unique one-shots
made in the mood of the day. Your order can be personalized (length, left/right wear etc.) or completely tailor-made. Don’t hesitate to contact me for quotes and special requests.
All DIDDA goods are made of locally sourced skins. The leather is – depending on the design – either veg-tan, up-cycled or production residue from meat-production.
For me (an this is a vegetarian speaking…), no other material can yet replace the touch, feel and quality of leather (although we keep a wide eye open on upcoming alternatives). This very emotive and ancient material used by man – to carry and protect – remains for me a very ecological choice. It is a leftover natural material, ages nicely and with good care, a high quality leather DIDDA-bag will last at least a lifetime.
MATERIALS
*Vegtan leather:
Vegtan or vegetable tanned leather is tanned with natural materials like tree bark. Less than 10% of the world’s leather is tanned this way today. Vegtan is a thicker and stronger leather, so the designs don’t need lining, which makes the bags lighter. Vegtan has that gorgeous leather smell, tends to age better and develops a rich patina over time. This eco-friendly product is the ideal material to most of the ‘neat’ DIDDA designs. Color-options are smaller (mostly black/nude and cognac). The leather is sourced at a Belgian tannery.
*Standard full-grain leather
This leather is generally rather smooth and comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and finishing. All the skins used by DIDDA come from European tanneries (meeting the highest standards) and are
a leftover product from meat-industry. Always keep in mind that leather is a natural product that once had a life, so every skin will
have his story and tiny imperfections, which adds up to the charm and patina.
*Lining
I prefer to work with 100 % leather lining, mostly pigskin. It makes the bag slightly more heavy but it’s much stronger & more consistent in design.
*Zippers
5mm or 7mm metal zippers of superior quality by Belgian Zip Factory KROKO (zip manufacturer since 1944).
*Rope / sling
I mainly use 10 or 11mm round non-stretch/static polyamide cord of superior quality (used by sailors & mountaineers). This material – supplied by the ‘maisons’ corderie Smits-Henin and Corderie Barrois, can bear extreme (weather) conditions and will probably last forever.
When the design includes flat slings; those are made of 100% leather, sometimes doubled with flat polypropylene belts of superior quality provided by corderie Smits-Henin. These add up to the strength and anti-stretch of the slings.
Adrien Bayetlaan 11 Laken 1020 Belgium
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WELCOME TO
OUR BEAUTIFUL
CHAOS
Essentiel Antwerp stands for refreshing, offbeat & luxurious fashion, renowned for its graphic or floral prints and trendy mixes of color. The rich and unique collections are designed to provoke an emotional response.
STEP INTO OUR WORLD WHERE IMAGINATION AND BEAUTY REIGN, WHERE LACK OF ORDER CREATES A SPACE FOR SURPRISE.
The Antwerp-based brand is influenced by the numerous life experiences of its founders Esfan Eghtessadi and Inge Onsea. Esfan, the son of Nicole Cadine, grew up in a world of textiles, sketches and fashion collections. Inge had a vintage loving mother, was a fashion model and spent five years in India, where she fell in love with colors, prints and unexpected combinations.
WE WANT
TO BE YOUR
PINK PILL
In 1999 Esfan and Inge took a chance and launched a T-shirt collection. Four styles, twenty different colors: their response to the monochrome fashion landscape. After a year, the first store opened in Antwerp. Four seasons later, knitwear, jackets, dresses, shirts, and trousers in trendy colors, new materials, and an entire range of accessories were added. Essentiel Antwerp grew into a global brand with a powerful message of love, fun, and colorful surprises. A universal message that translates anywhere and everywhere in the world.
WE WANT
TO BATTLE
BOREDOM
WE CONSIDER OUR ACCESSORIES AS THE CHILLI PEPPERS IN OUR ALREADY TASTY DISH.
LIFE LOOKS BETTER IN COLOR: STAY CURIOUS AND ORIGINAL TO KEEP THINGS SURPRISING AND CELEBRATE LIFE.
Arenbergstraat 21 Antwerpen 2000 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
Roxane Ballon
Roxane BallonMore Info
/ WHO AM I
I am a Fashion Designer based in Braine-le-Comte, Belgium.
I graduated from the School of “Francisco Ferrer” (Brussels) in the field of Fashion Design.
I specialize in Accessories Design, with a special focus on leather goods, where I was able to build an extensive expe- rience working for leading brands such as Maison Delvaux.
/ MY PHILOSOPHY
Authenticity • Innovation • Sustainability
My view of fashion is strongly influenced by craftsmanship, culture and art.
My designs are refined and functional with high-end cuts, materials and finishes.
It is important for me to design premium contemporary products, which are authentic, innovative and sustainable.
141 Rue d’Écaussinnes Braine-le-Comte 7090
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Woman of the world, discreet and passionate philanthropist, visionary businesswoman: Myriam Ullens de Schooten has a thousand lives. And each and every one of them feeds her never-ending and tireless creative energy. In 2009, just five years after founding the Mimi Foundation that supports people with cancer, she launched her own clothing brand. First named MUS after her name’s initials, the brand have since been renamed Maison Ullens. Its purpose? To imagine and to create the perfect wardrobe for a woman like her: traveling around the world but remaining elegant and stylish.
You never cheat with quality
The first store opens in Aspen, Colorado. The second one in Paris, Rue Marignan, at the corner of one of the most renowned place in Paris: Avenue Montaigne. Follow a one year pop-up shop in London, in the heart of the fancy, iconic and Francophile neighborhood of South Kensington. Her inspiration, Myriam finds it during her travels and fuels it with her passions, art and architecture. Each of the Maison Ullens’ shop designed by Rem Koolhass features a piece of art, by Anish Kapoor or Ado Chale. Because in her personal life as in her business life, Myriam never forgets the advice the famous chef Gaston Lenôtre once gave her: you never cheat with quality.
After finishing business school, Kim Laursen decided to take a different path. And passing the entrance exam of the Kolding School of Fashion and Design on a hunch was not randomly: when he was a teenager, he would already draw dresses and clothing pattern in his notebook. But when the jury asked him to produce a summer collection, he’d rather went with a winter collection. A daring move – that made him pass the exam with honors from the jury. And “daring” continue to define Kim today. Fascinated by Paris and Montmartre district, he came to the City of Lights in 1990. He quickly landed an internship with one of his idol: Christian Lacroix. The internship was supposed to last two months. It will last 14 years.
The impossible alchemy between simple and complex
An amazing career marked with collaboration with some of the most prestigious houses and brands like Kenzo, Cacharel, Azzaro, Paule Ka, Vanessa Seward and Elie Saab.In September 2014, he took the head of the creation of Maison Ullens, walking in the footsteps of Veronique Leroy. Always looking for elegant and easy-to-wear clothing, Kim’s goal is to combine his minimalistic codes to our different collections. Passionate about contemporary art and fascinated by geometry, he tirelessly tries to mix materials and patterns in the hope of achieving the impossible alchemy between simple and complex. Between sophistication and well-being.
The label Made in Italy is not merely an indication of the product’s origin. It’s a statement. A statement that guarantees the use of raw material of exceptional quality – both for the production of many renowned fashion brands and for the craft of the most skilled artisans.The expertise and “savoir-faire” of traditional workshops are a priceless asset of the Italian fashion. And its value in the luxury world goes beyond any measurements or assessments.
Whether it is our factories near Venice or Florence or our leather workshop outside Florence these different places are thriving toward the same goal, the endless quest that drives Maison Ullens : the pursuit of excellence.It is that combination of extraordinary techniques and high quality raw material that created what makes the essence of Maison Ullens. An essence which we are using to deliver the best quality to our sophisticated and discerning clientele with which we have built up a very unique connection. One that seeks out exclusivity and genuine “savoir faire”.
Rue François Dubois 2 La Hulpe 1310 Belgium
4 rue de Marignan Paris 75008 France
727 Madison Avenue New York NY 10065 USA
445 East Hopkins Aspen CO 81611 USA
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CELEBRATING WOMEN SINCE 2001
LolaLiza was founded in 2001 by three entrepreneurs who cherished the same wish: to design fashionable and affordable fashion for all women.
At LolaLiza, we believe that outer appearance reflects the inner soul, which is why it is our aim to dress confident women confidently. Each woman is beautiful, and deserves to feel alike. Therefore our customers can always count on the best service – with a smile!
Lolawhat? L-o-l-a-L-i-z-a !
Our name refers to two personal traits shared by all women: mystery and charm. While ‘Lola’ alludes to the sexy, mysterious side of women, ‘Liza’ highlights her gentle and kind-hearted personality. Women indeed have more than just one quality, and LolaLiza allows you to display them all, every single day.
EMPOWERED WOMEN
EMPOWER WOMEN
What makes us stand out? Let’s start with our ultimate favorite: the dress! Mini, midi or maxi, there is not a single piece of clothing that says femininity like the dress does. But women don’t just look their best in a dress, of course.
That’s why our collections always include playful jumpsuits, cool shorts, comfy pants and cute skirts as a fixed value in our collections.What more? Prints and color, of course! Each LolaLiza garment is defined by its unique print or combines the most beautiful hues and colors.
LOLALIZA IS A PROUD, 100% BELGIAN FASHION BRAND.
The largest part of our collections is made “in house”, in our headquarters situated in the heart of Brussels. We create fashion for women with spunk who love expressing their personality. For women who are not afraid to show who they truly are – beautiful in every way.
We design fashion for you. Women have the power to determine their own success and are even more empowered to do so in an outfit that allows them to completely be themselves.
Sexy, comfy, elegant, or extra festive? LolaLiza has got you covered on any occasion. What’s more? Our clothing is available in a wide range of sizes to ensure every woman can both feel and look good.
OUR VALUES
SIMPLICITY
UNITY
PASSION
EXCELLENCE
RESPECT
BUSINESS ETHICS
At LolaLiza, we highly value respect for our planet and our colleagues. That’s why we very much believe that doing business sustainably and in a socially responsible manner is the only way to continue creating our colorful and affordable collections in the long term.
Consequently, we think it is extremely important that the whole of our production process – from the tiniest button to the most complex print – is always in line with the International Labour Standards, which protect the rights of workers.
OUR COLLECTIONS
by our own LolaLiza designers? Our designers create all LolaLiza garments “in house”, in our headquarters in the heart of Brussels. At headquarters, they continuously deploy their creativity and expertise to develop refreshing, colorful collections.
Did you know that our collections are made
Our designers closely follow the latest trends, to which our clothing is constantly adjusted. New designs, fabrics, colors and eventually our collections find their origin when our designers merge their ideas with the latest fashion trends.
And things move fast at LolaLiza; new items are added to our collections each week. As a result, we can guarantee feminine, trendy and colorful fashion – day after day.
LOLALIZA FROM 2001-TODAY
LolaLiza has been celebrating women since 2001 and wants to keep the party going. Since the foundation of LolaLiza, our colleagues have been committed every day to help our customers dress fashionably and with confidence. Today, LolaLiza boasts over 100 stores across 4 different countries. We are a leading retailer in the Belgian fashion industry, but also leave our mark on the Luxembourgian, Dutch and French market.
The future is digital, and we are well aware of that. Besides focusing on our stores, we increasingly concentrate on digitalization, e-commerce and –to be even more close to our customers- personalisation. This way, we inspire thousands of women online on a daily basis through our fun and easily accessible web shop. In short, a lot has changed since 2001, when LolaLiza first started with only 7 stores in Belgium.
The timeline below illustrates how we have grown from a local family business into an international women’s brand.
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About Boshra
Boshra (بُشْرَى) (f.): good omen, good news, good tidings Boshra Bagherpour is born in Tehran, Iran, in 1985.
Political instability in Iran soon forces Boshra and her parents to leave the country. She settles in Belgium where she has a positive and happy childhood, surrounded by love, colour and creativity. From a young age, Boshra looks up to her mother, Pari, who is a fashion designer with an exceptional talent for drawing and painting. Inspired by her mother’s creativeness, Boshra soon starts creating her very first designs. From figures and patterns to fashion and accessories. As Pari passes away at an early age, Boshra’s passion fades and her sketchbook is stowed away.
Years later, in her late 20’s, Boshra rediscovers her passion for designing and feels compelled to get back to her drawing board. Brand new designs flow through her sketchbook and come to life at her sewing machine. She follows a course in leathercrafting and pursues her biggest passion: handbags. In her improvised workshop she finishes her first official bag and names it Pari, in honour of her mother. To this day, it is still her favourite model.
Boshra’s first official designs are an instant success and she is prompted to develop her brand and open a web store. Throughout her designs, Boshra has remained true to her name, choosing positive and elegant designs, happy bags and lovely colours. With clear Eastern influences and carefully chosen Persian names, she always keeps her background and culture in mind. Boshra loves iconic and exclusive handbags with sustainable design and premium quality. All handbags are still drafted, designed and handmade by Boshra in her workshop, according to customer’s preference.
Get in touch and be inspired by Boshra’s happy and iconic designs:
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rue blanche has been appealing to women since 1987. Clothes from Marie-Chantal Regout – which are fun, luxurious yet minimalist – fit in easily with their wardrobe, becoming steadfast companions in their everyday life. This intimate familiarity defines the Belgian brand, whose shops and many retailers around the world reflect the sensitive, cosy world of its designer. A rue blanche creation is tactile and sensual.
It arouses buried emotions and feelings, alluding to past actions that we find poignant. Vivid colours, soft fabrics and timeless designs characterize the collection. Rather than a total look for special occasion, Marie-Chantal Regout likes to mix garments and accessories, revealing the individuality and essence of each woman. As a gateway to the imagination, rue blanche addresses fashion with verve and generosity.
History
Ms. Regout founded rue blanche in Brussels in 1987 together with Patrick van Heurck. The company name is a tribute to the name of the street where the firm was first located. The first collection included seven models, all made of jersey, which was unusual for that time.
The collection boasted many stripes and original prints. Over the years, this became the DNA of rue blanche. Today, rue blanche has shops in all major cities in Belgium and is distributed in more than 70 multi-brand stores all over the world.
Rijshout 3 Groot-Bijgaarden 1702 Belgium
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About Us
Our story is one about great things. About handy things. About beautiful things.
But above all, about friendship. About four childhood friends who found each other in an unbridled passion for quality and craftsmanship. At Comme Quatre there are therefore few restrictions. We just make what feels true to us. No extravagant fuss, but unarticulated simplicity. With the feeling of being a bit special.
We like to design everyday objects such as a stylish handbag, spectacle box, key ring, wallet, wallet or handkerchief with a few striking features such as the graceful cowhides. A creative trait that we like to mix with our insatiable hunger for adventure, variety and entrepreneurship. Talent is present as well. Each in his or her own way. And love. Lots of love. For each other and for the products we create, and that’s a fact.
Our Story
exquisite & honestly handmade
Not only a brand, Comme Quatre is a creative, playful and human project. All our products are handmade by traditional craftsmen whom we admire for their knowhow, entrepreneurship and courage. Together we create a sustainable product.
#nowaste
A Comme Quatre handbag, just like a pair of glasses, key ring, wallet, wallet or pouch is a nice example of upcycling. Say again? Upcycling goes just a little further than recycling: transforming old and allegedly unusable materials into something valuable and often more beautiful than before. In this way, our cowhides are upcycled from meat waste into a sustainable material that lasts for years and can be broken down by nature after use. The hides are also tanned plant-based, i.e. without the addition of harmful substances.
timeless class
Six collections a year? Not for us. By designing our cowhide accessories to look beyond the latest trends, they are wearable every season. Slow fashion it is. Quality leather products are handmade by traditional craftsmen. For example, a handbag, spectacle case, key ring, wallet or pouch by Comme Quatre is not only fashionable, but also durable.
unique
Each accessory guarantees 100% supple leather and natural cowhide. Each with their own unique print and ditto character. The pattern of the cowhides are different for each accessory, due to the colour differences in the coat of the cow. So every handbag, spectacle case, key ring, wallet or pouch from Comme Quatre is slightly different and always gives a distinctive touch to your outfit.
Our Team
Miloud, chief workshop
“Working with natural products is what I have done all my life. More than 15 years have I been working in this atelier. I am in charge of overseeing the production process, creation of the malls, cutting the hides and leather, and the final inspection of the finished goods.”
Fatima, artisan
“I am the youngest of our team and still in ’training’, learning how to prepare the different components of our products for the knitting team. I love the fact that we start with a cowhide and finish with a bag or accessory which will be cherished by someone for many years. ”
Mbark, artisan
“I have been working in this workshop for more than 15 years. I am mainly in charge of the different knitting machines which we use on leather, cowhide and tissues. I love this variation in my job, and like the fact that we can participate in the creation process of the products.”
Belaid, artisan
“I have been working for more than 10 years in this workshop, but I have been in the fashion industry all my life. I am in charge of assembling the products. I like the interaction between the craftmen and the fact we actively participate in the design and creation process ”
Hafida, artisan
“I am assisting Mbark and Belaid in the preparation of the different parts they need to assemble, in between the different stages of the production, I implement the zippers and closures. I like the fact we create beautiful products.”