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the Paris based label has combined conceptual and inventive detailing with playful proportions and a witty take on historical references.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.
BIO
LĒO is a Belgium-based brand that was established in 2016 by artistic director Leonneke Derksen (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium) and founder Matthias Medaer.
LĒO was created in Paris, while gaining experience at fashion houses like Balenciaga and Carven.
This period was the base on which the vision of the brand was born, as the team got in touch and ultimately became part of a new generation of young designers.
Moving LĒO to the center of Europe (Brussels, Belgium) was a natural outcome of the need for full dedication to the brand and focus on the quality of it’s product, which is produced exclusively in Europe.
VISION
LĒO embodies the energy between luxury, avant-garde and street wear.
Experience over time formed a brand-specific set of values which consist of dedication to self-expression, nostalgia and the desire to push boundaries and evoke excitement.
Inspiration comes from various worlds and aesthetics and combines eras, movements, atmospheres and subcultures, regardless of codes.
Ideas are found in the space between external and internal experience and research is extracted from unique experiences in between quotidien performances and memorable rare involvements.
The brand displays the mind of different generations and the dualities that lie within them.
Attitude, authenticity and honesty are the essence of the LĒO customer.
PRODUCT
At the core of all reflections lays a product which represents a balance of quality and originality.
These products are carfully placed in worlds in which the brand expresses an original take on ‘reality’ and its movements.
LĒO garments oppose seriousness with spontaneity and question common rules with creativity and curiousness.
Wearing LĒO implements appreciation for sophistication and uniqueness. Distinguished shapes turn through worked-out bleaching and dying technics into one of a kind garments for a one of a kind wearer.
LĒO embraces the awkwardness and accentuates it’s inherent potential for innovation which can be recognised in the choice of material and reccurent elements like metal details.
Each collection is a mix of unexpected and iconic elements with a touch of ‘‘no rule“ humor.
This fuse contains on one side traditional tailored or classic technical elements that breathe rationality and on the other side the element of surprise, instinct and emotion.
21-25, Rue Gheude Brussels 1070 Belgium
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
Nathalie Engels
Nathalie EngelsAbout Nathalie Engels
The clothing brand Nathalie Engels is a high-end sustainable label with its origins in Ghent, Belgium.
The brand stands for a collection which is created out of intuition and feeling. Made by a designer passionate by colour in all its aspects.
Nathalie with her 25 years of design experience believes that colour speaks a language that contributes to a positive energy, language that supports and brings out the internal beauty.
Serpentstraat 1 Gent 9000 Belgium
Kristof Buntinx
Kristof BuntinxBrussels designer Kristof Buntinx has already created a furore with his God Save the Queens shirts and gained international fame with a boxer short collection with which he targeted Russian anti-gay laws.
Protest and irony are therefore no strangers to Buntinx, but he also dresses Belgian celebrities in little bespoke gems just as much as he has children photographed as superstars. The exiled Sint-Truiden native has been working under his own label for more than a decade. An official introduction is called for!
Kristof Buntinx was born on 10 September 1975 in the Limburg town of Sint-Truiden. He quickly showed an interest in fashion and design and proceeded to draw from a model and attended sewing and pattern design classes. Buntinx completed internships with several major fashion labels such as Levis jeans and the Amsterdam fashion duo Viktor & Rolf.
His own image language
After his initial designs for the Cinderella Shop in Antwerp he sank his teeth into (and left his fingerprints on) a series of coffee mugs for Godiva. Soon Buntinx would tackle hats, a trick he was able to repeat in 2012 for Royal Ascot.
Shortly thereafter, the Pain clothing line followed, with its own photo series in collaboration with Stijn Vanorbeek. Still inspired by the world of image creation, Buntinx worked with filmmaker Ilke De Vries, this time to explore moving images. The film Vision was the result, in which the designer searched his own conscience by referring to a personal crisis.
Artist’s blood
Between 2008 and 2010 Buntinx focused on hats and a full line of accessories.
Triggered by his own life and personal developments, language associations and puns took up an increasingly important place in his work. Like any true-blue artist, Buntinx also creates from an inner drive. “I have always been crazy about fashion, but designing also proved to be beneficial for my mental health. It is my “therapy with a capital T,” the designer states.
Once Buntinx found his way, an increasing number of opportunities came up: in 2011 the Toga 125 Fashion Awards and a fashion show in which his design Ceci n’est pas un Advocaat shone. That same year Modo Brussels, the MIAT in Ghent and Hong Kong Design week also followed. A prominent fashion watcher from the UK even called Buntinx the most eccentric fashion designer of the Modo Brussels event.
The future is now!
Loved by the international fashion blog scene, Kristof Buntinx does not shun controversy. For example, he came up with a series of socially committed designs such as his answer to the Antwerp rainbow controversy, the God Save the Queens T-shirt’, his Russian boxer shorts, which even reached the American media and the crown jewels for King Philip.
During the last festive period Buntinx surprised friend and foe with a range of crisis jewellery, which questions material luxury. The Christmas dresses designed by Buntinx for Dana Winners’ Christmas tour and for Marlène de Wouters, the presenter at the Queen Elisabeth competition earlier in 2013, were, on the other hand, downright luxurious.
Kristof Buntinx certainly aims to let his designs speak for themselves in 2015.
Stay tuned!
MEET THE FOUNDER
WHO IS HIDING BEHIND THE PROJECT 1971?
This high-quality Belgian fashion brand was founded by current Creative Director Christelle Loozen.
With over twenty years’ experience as a freelance denim product developer for both national and international brands and designers, Christelle is now ready to take up her own challenge through her brand 1971, offering an exclusively-designed original, high-quality and ethical product, one that is as original as it is a ‘revival’.
‘I’m passionate about fashion and I always have been. Through 1971, I am offering clothes inspired by my childhood memories, my experience of motor sports, and my unconditional love for denim.
My clothes are designed to fit most people, providing a casual yet trendy touch. With my many years of experience, I have been able to source the best sustainable yarns and fabrics from across Europe.
I’ve made the decision to work with the same European suppliers I have already worked with over the last 15 years. We share the same goals and overall vision, leaving no room for compromise when it comes to product quality, environmental impact, and the provision of good working conditions for our employees.’
We choose only the finest materials and best factories to make our timeless products, with the hope that they will last you many years, even decades.
Our prices are calculated as precisely as possible, while our partners, from workers to stores, are paid the right amount, with each and every possible cent reinvested into the local economy of each country.
We believe in a fair economy that works for the everyday.
Gerard-Sart 1 Dalhem 4606 Belgium
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
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
•••top
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
•••top
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
•••top
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
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
Bellerose
BelleroseOUR PASSION FOR REINTERPRETED AUTHENTICITY
COLLECTIONS
Designing garments without compromise allows us to focus on genuine products and authentic values. Our collections are based on true stories, delivering a specific point of view, which has become our signature. We control our product and our brand, while knowing that God is in the details. The Bellerose woman juggles between a military-inspired parka, that conceals a night gown and a pair of army trousers worn with leather brogues. Her children are granted the permission to be everything, all at once. Reflecting their age group, they enjoy their activities without worrying about the state of their t-shirt after a fight on the grass. With references to the army and workwear, the Bellerose man revisits the “old school” to suit an allure at that is at the same time casual and unique.
STORES
Creating a store is like building a new home. We want the space to be comfortable and functional, as well as reflecting our own tastes and aesthetics. Each store is individual, even though there are features they all share creating this particular Bellerose experience. Authenticity is core to all 16 flagship Bellerose stores and its 600 multi brand customers across Europe, Japan and the United States. Merging architectural genius with respect and preservation of the space: the stores are designed with wood, ambient sound, olfactory, cosy, raw and wide spaces. It is something rough and rock ‘n roll, real and sought out.
3 Rijshout Groot-Bijgaarden 1702 Belgium