T.VDB is the artistic fashion studio founded by Belgian multi-disciplinary fashion artist Tom Van der Borght.
The label focuses on humans rather than gender, as the core of T.VDB is hard to pinpoint under one binary definition, description or title.
T.VDB works as an independent artist, with a focus on fashion, textile, graphics, video, installation and scenography.
He is the producer of his own free work and works on commission for various partners.
Tom Van der Borght got his Fashion Design degree in 2012 at the Stedelijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten of Sint-Niklaas. Both during and after his studies he won international fashion prices and competitions.
From 2012 to 2016 he had the pleasure of showing his work during Berlin, Paris, London and Panama Fashion Week. His collections were sold in the USA, Japan and across Europe.
As a commissioned artist T.VDB worked for companies like Mercedes-Benz, Premiere Vision, DS Automobiles and Le19M. Next to that he creates artwork and video’s for national and international music artists.
In 2021 Tom received a master degree at Zuyd Hogeschool Maastricht, focusing on the intersection between performance, fashion and artistic research.
Before studying arts, Tom got his bachelors degree in Social Studies and worked for in various social organisations for several years.
Discovering at the age of 27 he suffers from a heriditary neuropathic muscle disorder confronted T.VDB with the question what is really important in life. This was the catharsic moment when he decided to study fashion design and pursue his childhood dreams.
During his study he was already confronted with the borders between fashion and art. Reflecting on his own background in social work and his own personal disposition in life led to questioning social structures, definitions, limits, … The visual language T.VDB develops goes far beyond clothes and is always creating a highly personal and questioning universe. It combines media and is crossing borders between fashion and arts.
T.VDB has an ongoing fascination for defects and errors, which comes from his own experience and the questioning of the genetic errors that shaped the designer from his birth.
Finding a place in society has always been a core element in Van der Borght’s work and life. This generated a strong interest for tribal culture, rituals and alternative/indigenous/ social structures, including elements like costumes, ritual dance and performative acts.
Being born in a typical Flemish middle class family, where culture didn’t really exist, T.VDB was fascinated by pop culture, MTV and subcultures.
“My first fashion inspiration came from the 80s, when i looked to magazines like “Mode, C’est Belge”. My mother’s classic couture training also influenced me in my love Of clothing.”
Later on in life I got introduced to more “higher” forms of “culture”. Essential in my work is the mix of those two opposites of “culture”, not necessarily as rivals or opposites. “
Marcel Duchamps once quoted : “ I do not believe in Art, I believe in Artists”.
T.VDB’s generous attitude and authentic radical way of thinking define him as a designer and an artist.
T.VDB ’s view on fashion (and clothes) isn’t purely economics:
his work could be seen as artistic objects. Clothes and outfits become part of a bigger pictures and crossing borders leads to creating a full universe, a total package.
It results in a fascination for creating video, scenography, performance and alternative ways of presentation.
A catwalk presentation has a very strong performative energy, being a boost of energy, a “hic et nunc” reflection on the present with a big artistic value.
Fashion is always a representation of the present. In his work T.VDB translates this in trying to marry the past to the future (which for him is the essence of “present”).
In 2019, T.VDB took a restart. He focuses on an elaborate masterpiece “7 ways to be TVDB”, which is a multidisciplinary selfportrait that borders on the edges between high tech bricolage, haute couture, avantgardistic fashion and low tech performance. A first stage of this work was presented in the FashionClash festival in Maastricht , and won both the Grand Jury Festival Prize as the Audience Award. With this collection the designer won the prestigious Grand Prix du Jury at the 35th Festival Internationale de La Mode de Hyères in 2020, as well as the highly desired Public Prize. His jubilant, theatrical men’s collection was praised by designer Jonathan Anderson, who presided over a jury that included, among others, consultant Amanda Harlech, model Kaia Gerber, sound maverick Michel Gaubert, photographer Tyler Mitchell, journalist Derek Blasberg and editor-in-chief of GQ, Oliver Lalanne
“What we really, really admired in the work of Tom Van Der Borght is that it was a totally new type of form, new type of shape, new type of commitment to a silhouette, and it was uncompromising,” Anderson said during a remote award ceremony. “And in this moment we are in, we as a jury believe that it was about starting this new decade with newness, this idea of originality.” Anderson continued: “It was not about looking at something for its automatic commercial sense. It was about the beauty within fashion, the handmade, the technique, and the risk in it. And I think Tom has really achieved something in what he has done and I think he will go on to do very well.”
In 2021, T.VDB had the honour to open Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin, with a stunning performance he created with choreographer Blanca Li, to accompany his latest collection.
For the 36th edition of the International Festival de la Mode, he launches his new collection “Time For Love”. The collection was realised in close collaboration with Le19M, Chanel’s legendary “ateliers des Metièrs d’Art” and the support of Premiere Vision.
In the troubled world we are living in nowadays, all of us are urging for connection and closeness. We’ve been distanced, physically and psychologically but now, it’s time for love.
T.VDB welcomes you to a brighter future and a celebration of human connection. The collection is an invitation to enter the playful and colorful universe of the collection. Garments leave the borders of the individual human body and search for connections with other humans through cut, detail and accessories. The pieces play on the intersection of textures, artwork and colour.
Everybody is invited to join this contemporary tribe of neo-hippies, lonesome cowboys and genderfluid hybrid creatures, feeling the emotion in the silence and embracing love as an empowerment tool.
APA Intemporal SPRL
APA Intemporal SPRLABOUT US
THE VOYAGE OF APA INTEMPORAL
APA is a Belgian fashion brand that combines high style with deep science. Our name comes from the Sanskrit word for “water,” and our first product, the ĀPA raincoat, was built to live up to its namesake. We take cutting-edge performance technologies and fabrics from the world of extreme sports, and craft them into impeccable, irreverent outerwear for city dwellers, world travelers, and anyone with an eye for style.
After living in Brussels, Paris, New York, and other urban cities where it rains for much of the year, Franco-Belgian high-fashion designer Léa Stein discovered what was missing in the market: a modern coat that merges luxury with technology, effectively protecting wearers from the ever-changing unpredictability of weather while looking their best.
In 2016, Léa founded ĀPA. Her goal was a lofty one: to combine clean silhouettes, immaculate detail, and luxury manufacturing with today’s most innovative performance technologies, all while using sustainable processes and artisan craftsmanship, and producing it, beginning to end, completely within Europe. And that’s exactly what APA has achieved today.
Our first raincoat collection launched in 2019, and is a reflection of our brand’s vision: to take iconic fashion clothing and re-invent it in a way that provides innovative solutions to everyday problems, while keeping the fit, design, and artistry of high-fashion. With a successful Kickstarter campaign, and numerous awards for design and innovation, ĀPA is proud to continue to push luxury fashion forward.
Avenue de la Sapinière 37 Bruxelles 1180 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
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
B-shirt – United States of Belgium
B-shirt – United States of Belgium71 Chaussée de Charleroi Bruxelles 1060 Belgium
Tim Coppens was founded in New York in 2011.
Born and raised in Belgium, Tim Coppens graduated from the internationally acclaimed Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 1998. He has worked with various luxury and sports-performance brands as Adidas and Ralph Lauren before founding his own label. SS15 marks the first full expansion of Tim Coppens into womenswear.
His collections are defined as athletic luxury portrayed with elegance and sophistication. Craftsmanship is blended with innovation.
The energy of the city, street culture, as well as a pulse that feels the present and the future are sources of inspiration.
Since his first season, Tim Coppens has received strong support and praise from both retailers and press. WWD selected him as part of the “10 of Tomorrow” Rising Stars. Barneys New York immediately ordered his first collection and international retailers followed suit, including Dover Street Market, Isetan, Club 21, Harvey Nichols UK, Mr. Porter and Lane Crawford.
In 2012 he received the Ecco Domani Award for “Best New Menswear Designer”. The following year he was awarded the Fashion Group International Rising Star of the Year. Most recently Coppens was a top 10 finalist for the LVMH Prize and the 2014 winner of the CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear. This year he has been nominated for the CFDA “Menswear Designer of the Year” Award.
Caroline Foulon
Caroline Foulon
About
After reading the book “The Emperor wears no clothes” by hemp advocate Jack Herer, Emilio De Baudringhien got inspired to start a company that would bring this amazing plant and all of its benefits, back to humanity.
Since hemp is a carbon negative crop we strongly believe it can be a key player in fighting global warming… think of it this way: we are growing a plant in 100 days that takes huge amounts of carbon from our atmosphere and stores it safely in the ground, actually increasing the fertility of the soil. After the plant is harvested we can use every single aspect of the plant for a different purpose, leaving no waste. All this with a minimum input of water and nutrients and no use of pesticides and herbicides.
1 acre of hemp takes in 10 times the amount of carbon compared to 1 acre of rainforest.
Emilio doesn’t consider The Ornament Hemp Co. a fashion company since we don’t follow fashion trends or seasons. Instead we see the company as a vehicle to support the hemp movement in all its forms.
Emilio never started this company for money gaining purposes. All of the money that comes in is directly re-invested in creating more products made from hemp to help increase global hemp crop production and help create a world with more durable products made from replenishable crops such as hemp.
At the end of 2017, Emilio set up a crowdfunding campaign to set up his label. Thanks to 110 lovely backers, Emilio got his project funded and was able to take off.
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.
BE. by Emilie Beaumont
BE. by Emilie BeaumontGRADUATED IN FASHION DESIGN AT THE BRUSSELS SCHOOL OF “LA CAMBRE” IN 2007, EMILIE BEAUMONT HAS GAINED A LOT OF VISIBILITY OVER THE YEARS.
AFTER BEING THE FINAL CONTENDERS AT THE BRUSSELS “FASHION WEEKEND” IN 2006, SHE WAS ALSO RETAINED AMONG THE TEN FINALISTS AT THE WELL KNOWN FASHION FESTIVAL AT HYÈRES (FRANCE) IN 2007. IT WAS AT THIS FESTIVAL THAT SHE WAS SPOTTED BY CHRISTIAN LACROIX, PRESIDENT OF THE JURY, WHO EXPRESSED HIS PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HER COLLECTIONS DURING AN INTERVIEW ON FRANCE 3 TELEVISION.
EMILIE BEAUMONT STARTED HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER THROUGH VARIOUS EXPERIENCES AT FASHION HOUSES SPECIALIZED IN PRÊT-A-PORTER AND LUXURY PRODUCTS. SHE FOLLOWED TRAININGS AT VERONIQUE BRANQHINO’S IN ANTWERP, AT LOEWE’S IN MADRID AND WITH THE FAMOUS ALEXANDER MCQUEEN IN LONDON.
HER PROJECTS AND UNDERTAKINGS IN THE WORLD OF FASHION HAVE BEEN AS VARIED AS PLENTIFUL: A “LIVE” DRAWING OF A SILHOUETTE AT THE 2008 INAUGURATION OF BIP (BRUSSELS INFO PLACE), PRESENTING HER COLLECTION AT THE “BREAD AND BUTTER” FAIR IN JANUARY 2008 AND A NOTABLE PARTICIPATION AT THE “SECOND HAND, SECOND LIFE” FASHION SHOW, A CHARITY EVENT IN OCTOBER 2008 DURING WHICH HER REMARKABLE PIECES WERE AUCTIONED OFF.
VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS IN BELGIUM, FRANCE AND ITALY WERE DEVOTED TO HER, REFERENCING HER RICH AND VARIED CAREER SO FAR.
EMILIE BEAUMONT HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED HER PERSONAL COLLECTION “B.E. BY EMILIE BEAUMONT” OF WHICH SHE PRESENTED HER FIRST COLLECTION FOR MEN “B.E. MEN SUMMER 2011” AT THE “BRUSSELS MODO FESTIVAL” IN OCTOBER 2010.
THROUGHOUT HER DESIGNS OF WOMEN’S CLOTHING, SHE HAS FOUND INSPIRATION IN MEN’S FASHION. DESIGNING MEN’S CLOTHING HAS BEEN THE LOGICAL NEXT STEP FOR EMILIE BEAUMONT.
DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING IN BELGIUM, EMILIE BEAUMONT DEVELOPS HER COLLECTIONS INCLUDING GARMENTS AND ACCESSORIES SUCH AS A SERIES OF SCREENPRINTED LEATHER BAGS IN LIMITED QUANTITIES.
KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THIS PROMISING FASHION DESIGNER.