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Our story
Founder and designer
Hi,
I am Evelyne, founder and designer of KUNOKA shoes.
I want to tell you my story from the start and it will get a little personal. I have been in shoe business for many years and I initially worked for Italian houses whose quality products I honored.
However, year after year I saw things change; the business became less lucrative because of overseas competition. Step by step, I noticed that I saw less people in the factories that I visited every year, although sold volumes did not fall back at the same pace. I felt something was not right. I could tell… I know shoes, I know craftsmanship, I know what it should feel like, I know how they should smell…
I had to realize that bit by bit production was outsourced oversees and no one wanted to admit. I started thinking is this what I want to stand for? It kept me out of my sleep and I thought about this for weeks ….
The idea behind the brand
This is the point where I started to play with the idea of creating my own brand that should be fully honest and should have the best possible sustainable approach.
I wanted the environmental impact of my project to be as low as possible and I wanted to be 100% sure that there will be no human cost at my project.
Every KUNOKA shoe is touched by real humans with families and their own set of dreams and I could not bare the idea that someone, somewhere in my project would have to struggle to survive or to feed their children or work in a toxic environment.
This I why I choose to work with a family-owned Portuguese atelier, where I can see what happens, where I know the people and where I can feel and touch every step in the birth of a KUNOKA shoe.
The second advantage of producing nearby is that we exclude the extreme environmental impact of overseas transport. Which brings me to my second concern, environmental impact which is a hard knot to untie in shoe business.
Challenges
I started by developing different prototypes and I wanted to know everything: what are they made of? Can we not change this into that? What is the effect of this? Where does this sole comes from? What is in the sole? Who makes them? How much water does it cost? How comfortable are they? Can they be modern and beautiful enough? – Hey yes, fashion remains my natural habitat and I don’t want to bring another sustainable brand which’ appearance or comfort aspect makes it obvious that the brand is sustainable.
I went on and on and made everybody – including myself – crazy. I was making progress but there were so many uncertainties and more than once doubt just hit me in the face … Would I ever find the courage to finally jump and officially go for this project?
The last of many signs…
I kept on doubting until the memorisable meeting in New York central park, this was the last of many signs I needed. Gabriella KUNOKA, who I did not know until that day, making a remark about the prototype I was wearing at that moment, convincing me that I should go for this beautiful project! Ever since, I realize every day, what I do might not be perfect, but it is not by finger pointing or complaining and sitting still that we will make progress. It is what I actually do what counts. And this is the whole story, this is how KUNOKA was born.
Always striving for the best
We are not perfect; we – and the entire industry – have a long way to go, but every initiative, how small it might look, makes a difference!
And I am proud of how far we have come and of any difference we can make, I guarantee that I will always strive for the best possible sustainable approach and I promise that this is just the beginning!
Let’s be kind to people and be kind to our world.
Love, Evelyne.
Kortrijksesteenweg 1092/G Gent 9051 Belgium
Cycleur de Luxe
Cycleur de LuxeMore Info
BRAND INFO
CYCLEUR de LUXE is a lifestyle brand with a wide range of women, men and kids shoes and a brand new women and men textile collection. The story of CYCLEUR de LUXE starts with the world of cycling. We get our trends and the inspiration for our trends from the Belgian cycling culture.
We offer a diverse collection of women’s, men’s and kids trainers. The collection runs from signature to innovative footwear. CYCLEUR de LUXE tries to combine affordable, comfortable, innovative and trendy shoes. The stylish footwear is made of sturdy and high-quality leather, and makes use of colors that ensure a timeless design.
CYCLEUR de LUXE also offers a range of ecological men’s shoes. With awareness for people and the environment, CYCLEUR de LUXE has developed a sustainable shoe line, the RE>CYCLEUR line. The shoes are made of recycled materials and chrome free leather.
After years of preparation and months of hard work, our first CYCLEUR de LUXE apparel collection for men and women is finally on the market! It is a dream to style people from head to toe and this is the next step to accomplish this goal.
The sneaker and textile collections are offered online or in over 450 dealer locations. For a store nearby, check our store locator.
Antoon Catriestraat 39C Drongen 9031 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
Jaggs
JaggsMore Info
Chez JAGGS, vous l’avez compris, on fait des vêtements sur-mesure !
Et on ne les fait pas n’importe comment ! Non seulement notre équipe se compose des meilleurs tailleurs, mais en plus nous défendons des valeurs qui nous tiennent à cœur.
C’est ancré dans notre ADN.
De la prise de mesure au suivi de votre vêtement, en passant par un accompagnement personnalisé et des tissus sélectionnés avec expertise, notre objectif est simple : vous guider vers l’élégance.
C’est ce qu’on appelle le JAGGSSTYLE !
Clairement vous voulez en savoir plus sur ce que l’on fait chez JAGGS. Et surtout comment et pourquoi ?
C’est très simple.
Chez JAGGS on s’est fixé une mission : habiller l’homme moderne avec style et dépoussiérer le sur-mesure pour le (ré)intégrer dans le quotidien des hommes d’aujourd’hui.
En bref, on vous propose des vêtements sur-mesure pour rendre votre vestiaire élégant et adapté à votre personnalité. Et pour ça, on met l’accent sur un service digne de ce nom et un accompagnement complet et bienveillant. On est bien conscient que tout le monde n’a pas l’habitude du sur-mesure ; rassurez-vous on est là pour vous accompagner.
Concernant tissus, patronage et confection, c’est très simple : on travaille avec les meilleurs pour vous offrir le meilleur. On ne fera jamais de concession à ce sujet !
Osons le dire : JAGGS s’inscrit dans une approche novatrice.
Sans détour, on dépoussière le sur-mesure pour proposer des vêtements entièrement personnalisables qui répondent aux envies modernes d’élégance.
Notre équipe de tailleurs, d’inspiration anglaise et italienne, vous accompagne dans le choix et la création de vêtements sur-mesure uniques. Elle vous aide à adopter le gentleman style dans toutes les situations.
Que ce soit en fonction de votre morphologie ou d’un désir particulier, le souci du détail ou la recherche d’un confort sans pareil, chez JAGGS on répond à vos attentes.
Avec nos conseils, vous brisez les codes pour créer un style inimitable : le vôtre ! Le tout en conjuguant le dynamisme des coupes actuelles avec le meilleur de la tradition. Tout un programme !
JAGGS a toujours eu comme principe de vendre au prix le plus juste. Au-delà de cette formulation marketing, notre équipe propose un équilibre entre confection européenne, juste rémunération des couturiers et tissus de qualité tout en démocratisant le sur-mesure.
Vous trouvez donc chez nous un costume sur-mesure de qualité dès 690€ ! Et ce prix comprend les prises de mesures, une confection de qualité exclusivement européenne et un choix de tissus parmi des marques réputées telles que Scabal, Loro Piana, Hudderfield …
Une offre complète et un suivi sur-mesure sans se ruiner, what else ?
Créer de beaux vêtements sur-mesure, c’est bien. Créer des vêtements sur-mesure éthiques, c’est mieux ! C’est pourquoi JAGGS s’est engagée à préserver le savoir-faire européen.
JAGGS confectionne exclusivement dans des ateliers européens et proches de nos frontières belges. Nous pouvons de cette manière maintenir un contrôle d’excellence permanent et garder un œil sur les conditions de fabrication.
L’éthique nous tient à cœur. La qualité aussi !
Par conviction, mais surtout parce que nous avons le goût des belles choses, nous avons choisi de préserver le savoir-faire des artisans européens.
Le made in Belgium n’est pas en reste.
JAGGS a choisi d’implanter un atelier de confection sur place, à Waterloo, avec des couturières expertes pour la création de tous ses accessoires : nœuds papillon, pochettes, cravates, boutons de manchette…
Une manière de dynamiser le tissu économique local, de nous inscrire dans un circuit (très) court, mais également de répondre instantanément à la demande. La proximité immédiate avec l’atelier permet la création en temps réel de noeuds papillon sur-mesure.
C’est également dans notre atelier de Waterloo que sont effectuées toutes les retouches de vos costumes.
En 2015 on était 2. Aujourd’hui, on est 10. Et on est (presque) tous sympas !
L’équipe est un savant cocktail d’entrepreneurs, de créatifs et de passionnés.
Mais ce sont surtout des personnes souhaitant transmettre le goût de l’élégance et du travail bien fait !
Chaussée de Bruxelles, 273 Waterloo 1410 Belgium
Rue de la Monnaie, 10 Namur 5000 Belgium
Rue du Collège, 94 Verviers 4800 Belgium
18 Rue de la Chalotais Rennes 35000 France
rue des Ploppes 1A Esneux 4130
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Anne Poesen (BE) has a passion for shoes and bags.
Studying architecture at university made her look at designing bags and shoes from another perspective, pushing her to go beyond the boundaries of classical shoe and bag making, to explore new materials and to look for clear concepts and pure shapes…
Amerikalei 158 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
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caroline biss offers the modern, self-confident woman elegant and classy women’s fashions with glamorous style.
perfectly fitting ready-to-wear collections that combine stylish simplicity, subtle colours and new materials – resulting in a contemporary yet timeless collection.
comfortable designs for every day of the week, weekend sporting outfits with just that little bit more, fashion dresses for a night out and sparkling party wear.
Kouterbaan 44 Lebbeke 9280 Belgium
Tim Van Steenbergen
Tim Van SteenbergenMore Info
About
Tim Van Steenbergen
Tim Van Steenbergen graduated Magna cum Laude at the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts (fashion department, textile creation and theatre costume). Subsequently he took classes in drapery and couture techniques and worked as assistant of Olivier Theyskens.
His first collection was launched in 2001 in Paris and in the same year he set up his company Mitzlavv bvba.
Meanwhile he’s up to his twenty third collection/fashion show and the label Tim Van Steenbergen is being sold in the best designer shops all over the world. His style evolves into a refined pureness and female elegance. He is a master of contemporary drapery and every detail, high quality standards, tradition and craftsmanship are being cared for.
Tim designs the costumes for international movie, theatre, dance and opera creations as for Anne Teresa de Keersmaecker, Guy Cassiers and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Between 2010 and 2013 Tim Van Steenbergen is creating the costumes for Richard Wagner’s opera cycle ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’, Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin.
Nowadays Tim Van Steenbergen is increasingly evolving into a creative lab.
Recent developments thereof are ‘Metronome’, a first light design for Delta Light, an interior fabrics collection in collaboration with Aristide and total interior concepts Tim Van Steenbergen with Boa Interior.
Philosophy
The challenge in my work is the search for authenticity and artisanship in fashion.
The difference between confection and prêt-à-porter or couture is to be found in how it is made.
Handwork, quality of fabric, building a piece layer by layer, differentiates my work from confection.
I’m in search of old values in a new world.
The motivation in my work is to transfer craftsmanship and the old values into different and modern designs.
Due to my belief in artisanship, every garment is created by hand on the dummy to develop its characteristic shape.
These traditional construction process and unique draping techniques guarantee a high appreciated quality and an exclusive collection.
Studio Tim Van Steenbergen
The studio of Tim Van Steenbergen is located in a 19th century mansion close to the historical site of the Antwerp military hospital. An eclectic interior were fashion meets art, historical elements are confronted with design and vintage furniture.
The studio Tim Van Steenbergen is the optimal place to realize his ideas, situated in the pocketsize metropolis Antwerp. This refreshing cosmopolitan owes its reputation to the mighty part, the world diamond centre and its trendsetting vision of fashion.
This welcoming multicultural city-on-the-river the Scheld, is an intelligent, complex, fascinating and surprising habitat with a magnificent contemporary architecture, opera and theatre, monuments and artworks as well as its historical medieval centre.
The home of the Flemish Baroque master Rubens.
The Red Star line company set off its ships on the transatlantic voyage with millions of emigrants who set out for a new life in the States and Canada.
Nowadays Antwerp is one of the fastest growing cultural cruise destinations in Europe.
“Due to its excellent acces, it pushes you to travel the world looking for new impressions and personal experiences.”
“After all it is an attractive place to come home from where you can work independently and with an open minded view on the rest of the world.”
Creations
- ‘Hanjo’, opera, Festival Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence / the Monnaie Brussels
- ‘Hersenschimmen’, theater , Ro Theater Rotterdam
- ‘d’Un Soir un Jour’ and ‘Steve Reich Evening’, dance, Rosas / the Monnaie Brussels
- ‘Triptych of Power; ‘Mefisto’, ‘Wolfskers’ and ‘Atropa’, theater, Toneelhuis Antwerp / Festival d’Avignon / Théâtre de la Ville de Paris
- ‘The House of the Sleeping Beauties’, opera, LOD / Toneelhuis Antwerp / the Monnaie Brussels
- ‘Adam in Exile’, opera, Opera of Amsterdam
- ‘La Chanteuse du Tango’, movie by Diego Martinez Vignatti with Eugénia Ramirez.
- ‘Prélude à la Mer’, movie, Rosas / Thierry De Mey
- ‘Das Rheingold’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Blood & Roses, the Song of Joan and Gilles’, theatre , Toneelhuis Antwerp / Festival d’Avignon
- ‘Die Walküre’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Labyrinth’, dance, National Ballet Amsterdam, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
- ‘Siegfried’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Götterdämmerung’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Milonga’, dance, Sadlers Wells, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
- ‘MCBTH’, theater, Toneelhuis / Spectra Ensemble / Vocaallab
- ‘Romeo & Julia’, ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders
- ‘Hamlet’, theater, Toneelhuis / Toneelgroep Amsterdam
- ‘Het vertrek van de Mier’, theater, Toneelhuis / Het Paleis / Kunstz
- ‘Firebird’, ballet, Stuttgarter Ballett
- ‘Passions Humaines’, theater, costumes and set, Toneelhuis / Mons Culturele Hoofdstad
- ‘Xerse’, costumes and set, Opéra De Lille
- ‘Caligula’, costumes and set, Toneelhuis
- ‘De welwillenden’, costumes and set, Toneelhuis / Toneelgroep Amsterdam
- ‘Pictures at an exhibition’, ballet, costumes and set, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Sidi Larbi Charkaoui
- ‘Ma mère l’oye’, ballet, costumes and set, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Jeroen Verbruggen
- ‘Trompe la mort’, opera, costumes and set, Opéra national de Paris
- ‘Grensgeval’, theatre, costumes and set, Toneelhuis
- ‘Movement in Blue’ & ‘Movement in White’, Tim Van Steenbergen X Ashtari Carpets
- ‘Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh’, costumes, Toneelhuis
- ‘Vergeef ons’, costumes, Toneelhuis / Toneelgroep Amsterdam
marialei 18 Antwerpen 2018 Belgium
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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.
Kamo Gutsu
Kamo GutsuMore Info
Kamo-Gutsu was created in 2014 by Freddy Dreesens, who was at that time
one of the owners of the Belgian shoe company The Velvet Factory.
Besides creating men and women shoes for fashion labels we thought it would be nice
to think outside the box and create something that wasn’t on the market yet:
fresh shoes with some fun and wit, lots of color, but still very wearable and comfortable.
The first collection premiered during the MICAM shoe fair in Milan and the rest is history:
today we distribute Kamo-Gutsu in 8 countries where shoe- and fashion retailers present
our footwear as the “happy misfits” in a sometimes boring shoe world.
We develop two collections per year, manufactured in the Italian Marche region,
famous for its artisan shoes with a high quality standard.
Since December 2020 Kamo-Gutsu is created and distributed by SHUZ.63,
the company owned by the designer and instigator of the brand.