Nathalie Vleeschouwer
Nathalie VleeschouwerInfo
ABOUT US
Nathalie Vleeschouwer offers the kind of subtle elegance to women of character who want to enjoy life actively and confidently.
The Belgian designer launched her collection in 2011, but the roots of her fashion house go back as far as 1990. Inspiration is derived from all corners of the globe and distilled by Nathalie and her team at their headquarters in Antwerp. Because the soul of the collection is inextricably bound to the designer herself, it has an authentic style and is continually evolving, just like Nathalie’s creative ideas.
Experience, craftsmanship and lasting partnerships with a handful of suppliers and workshops form the basis of every garment that bears her name. Made with love, so that you can wear it again and again, and mix & match it with different items every season. Where the creativity of this collection – released once every six months – stops, yours begins.
Who is Nathalie?
Nathalie Vleeschouwer really does exist. She is not just the designer of the collection; she is also a wife, the mother of three children and two dogs, a traveller, nature lover, city-tripper, swimmer, connoisseur, and so much more.
Nathalie actively enjoys life and the clothing she wears plays an important part in this. It gives her confidence and supports her in all her activities, making it an essential part of her life.
There may be only one Nathalie Vleeschouwer, but many women can identify with her.
Why did she create the collection?
Nathalie Vleeschouwer’s interest in fashion stems from her childhood. Her father was a purchaser for a clothing chain, and as a child she loved nothing more than to accompany him to the big clothing factories. The Antwerp Academy of fashion was a logical next step in her career, but she decided – at the age of 22 – to swap the Academy with learning from practice. This resulted in the launch of Fragile, a maternity wear collection, in 1990. In those days, making fashionable maternity clothing was unheard of. That is how Nathalie became a global pioneer in the world of maternity fashion. The collection was a great success, all the way from Antwerp to Tokyo, and many brands have since followed in Fragile’s footsteps.
Having won the Womed Award in 2010 for female entrepreneurship, Nathalie felt she was ready to embark on a new venture in addition to Fragile. To underscore the authentic style of this new collection she decided to give it her own name: Nathalie Vleeschouwer.
The first collection was presented at the international trade fair in Paris in September 2010 and was available in shops in the spring of 2011.
What does the company Natale do?
Natale stands for Nathalie, and also for the Italian word for ‘birth’.
The family business comprises two collections: Fragile & Nathalie Vleeschouwer. Both are the artistic creations of designer Nathalie Vleeschouwer. The management of Natale is in the hands of Nathalie herself and her husband, Jan.
A staff of approximately 40 work hard every day, prominently or behind the scenes, in a wide range of jobs from pattern designer to sales assistant. By outsourcing as little work as possible experience is combined, ensuring a dynamic business culture.
Who makes your favourite pieces?
Nathalie Vleeschouwer is the head designer of a creative team, and collaborates with her own pattern maker. Each design is developed in detail by our team. We strive to build relationships of trust with all our suppliers and manufacturers, in which transparency and long-term cooperation are of the essence. We regularly visit our partners on site with a view to strengthening our ties and building a genuine relationship of trust and mutual respect.
Socially responsible entrepreneurship and sustainability
Respect for people, the environment and society are key values at Natale.
By opting for quality goods at fair as a starting point, we hope to contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the fashion industry. We deliberately choose to release only two collections a year and are adverse to hypes as well as overproducing. By adhering to this long-term vision we can make honest fashion that you will enjoy for many years to come and in which both the maker and the wearer take pride.
Our collections are produced without any use of child labour, in pleasant working conditions and for honest wages by audited suppliers with whom we build up partnerships with a long-term vision.
Keeping our creative, commercial and administrative departments under one and the same roof in Antwerp ensures that Natale’s environmental impact remains limited. We make every effort to minimise our ecological footprint throughout our production chain as well. This is one of the reasons why we have been sourcing more than half of what we produce from Belgian manufacturers for over 20 years. The remaining half is primarily produced in Europe.
Step by step, we aim to integrate more ecological fabrics into the collection every season – depending on the offering – while always maintaining a correct price/quality ratio.
Tulpstraat 104 , Antwerp 2060 Belgium
Info
Fashion is the Extension of Imagination:
Perfectionist, objective observant, sincere and above all spontaneous, Esmeralda has built on her experiences by working with different companies, while always following a positive philosophy.
Please click on the middle crosses for more details.
Born in Strasbourg (France),…
the child of a Spanish artist mother, she started travelling and drawing at a very early age. She lived her childhood mostly between Berlin (Germany) and Conil de la Frontera (Spain) surrounded by various fabrics and paintings of her mother, who was her biggest Muse. The great contrast between both cities of her childhood also enlarged her cultural and artistic mind.
With a desire to discover more cultures,…
she embarked on an international business career in Strasbourg. However, her artistic soul was stirring and thus with no hesitation, she left to Brussels in order to make her dream come true: to become a Fashion Designer.
During those three years studying in Brussels…
she discovered the Art Nouveau, and was integrated into the fashion world. She designed successfully unique creations for the Fantasy Film Festival and for the Bouglione Circus. She also took part in catwalks, and did her work experience in an Haute Couture company in Berlin. Her most enriching experience was her first public fashion show, with her haute couture collection, inspired by Chess game. This was when she realized that being a fashion designer would always be her passion.
She returned to her roots in Barcelona…
and worked for CUSTO BARCELONA. Following her experience at Custo Barcelona, she created a fashion shoe collection for Juba Trading Portugal.
In order to improve her technical and creative skills as a designer,…
she integrated into the team at Levi Strauss Europe in Brussels. After this, she joined the pioneer team in Amsterdam to build up LEVI’S XX with amazing brands LVC (Levi’s Vintage Clothing) and LMC (Levi’s Made and Crafted).
Following her ever-present need for quality growing experience,…
she worked for BVBA 32 in Antwerp for the luxury prêt-a-porter brand, Thimister.
Finally, the moment to explore new challenges arrived…
The dream of an 8 year old girl had to become reality, so, in March 2013, she decided to launch her very own brand,SMARACK.
Since then,…
she has participated in several catwalks and designer tradeshows.
Now,her brand SMARACK and tailoring service continues to grow,…
as builds a powerful reputation in the design world. She is freelancing and consulting other major design brands.
Rue des Chartreux, 48b Kartuizersstraat 1st floor Brussels 1000 Belgium
Buissonnière
BuissonnièreInfo
Buissonnière: the unique story of a Belgian family passionate about fashion
Buissonnière is a Belgian clothing brand that focusses its activity on core values such as family, authenticity and joie de vivre.
Buissonnière is also an exclusive brand: the company develops and creates its own collections that are sold only in its own shops and on its website.
The philosophy of Buissonnière from day one has been to offer a coordinated, refined, high-quality assortment with a continual focus on using natural materials to make clothes. Its collections meet the current needs of families, respect their budget and adapt to every event.
1983: The origin of the brand
30 years ago, Myriam and Christian became the proud parents of a baby girl, Laurence. Myriam, who had always dreamed of having a daughter, could not find high-quality clothing to dress to her according to her taste at affordable prices in the shops. She therefore decided to make the pretty clothes she wanted for her baby herself.
1985 Buissonnière is born!
The little outfits Myriam makes are an immediate success with her friends and family. In 1985, along with her husband, they go all in and decide to create, together, a first collection for children called “Buissonnière”. The family business is launched!
1989: Opening of the first store
After some private sales at friends’ homes, Myriam and Christian quickly develop the brand. Initially, their children’s playroom serves as their first shop. In 1989, the first real point of sale opens in Wavre.
1990-2009: Development of the collections
Over the years, the family grows and Laurence has three little sisters. The Buissonnière clothes also develop: first clothing for babies and children, then a line for teenagers, and finally adults.
2010: Launch of the e-commerce website
Buissonnière follows the trends and adapts to new technologies; in 2010, the brand opens its online shop which has since grown steadily and allows families in many European countries to finally purchase Buissonnière clothes from their own homes as well.
2014: Official purveyor to the Belgian royal court
Since its creation, the brand is known for the refinement of its clothes and benefits from the confidence of the Belgian royal family. The title of Purveyor to the Court was granted in 2014 by King Philip.
2015: Buissonnière celebrates its 30th anniversary
Although multinational chains currently dominate the ready-to-wear market, Buissonnière maintains its presence and desires to preserve its know-how and values of creativity and quality. It is still and always has been a small Belgian family business: the second generation has arrived and is infusing the brand’s development with dynamism and modernity.
But Buissonnière is more than the story of a family. It is the story of passionate young people who did everything to realise their dream of creating a clothing brand to dress every generation in perfect harmony with the current fashion trends.
143 Boulevard de l’Europe Wavre 1300 Belgium
Kortrijksesteenweg 1119 Ghent 9051 Belgium
Engelse Wandeling 2 A-B bus 12 Kortrijk 8500 Belgium
Wezembeeklaan 118 Kraainem 1950 Belgium
Kloosterstraat 82 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Charlotte Pringels
Charlotte PringelsInfo
ABOUT
I. The collections
We believe in slow fashion, the power of simplicity and elegance in an effort to change and challenge the way we as society consume. Doing so we commit to sourcing natural and recycled fibers and work with high-quality, low minimum suppliers in Europe, allowing us to reduce waste through small-batch production. We want to make sure every link in our supply chain gets a fair price for the work that is being done and we commit to transparent practices by providing information about supply chains, enabling customers to make informed decisions.
Our aim is to offer our customers carefully designed garments and prove that investing in a piece of our collection is an investment in yourself, your wardrobe and a more sustainable fashion system.
II. The designer
Charlotte Pringels is a Belgian-based women’s wear label, named after the founder and CEO of the brand. Her design philosophy: to create a line of essentials that are both interesting and necessary and together form a cohesive wardrobe that maintain relevance over time. Each collection includes elements of ease and polish and is characterized by high-end fabrics and timeless, clean-lined silhouettes.
Charlotte Pringels is a Belgian Fashion designer. She entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp / Fashion Department in 2007 and graduated in 2012 from her master (MA) degree.
III. The make
Our collections are designed and made with love, and focuses on reinventing tailoring technics while only using finest materials. The current emphasis for the materials we use is on natural and recycled resources of the fiber. Over the years, we have built a solid base of family-run contractors in Ukraine and Belgium. They are responsible for the long-lasting construction of every piece of clothing that we make. From perfect cutting of fabric, to deliberate sewing and finishing with French seams or bias-bound edges, the collection is built to last by suppliers who treat their workers fairly.
All samples and prototypes are made and designed in Charlotte Pringels’ own atelier, located in Belgium.
Drongenstraat 106, Lokeren 9160 Belgium
River Woods
River WoodsInfo
River Woods is an international and authentic lifestyle brand for the whole family, reflecting strong values as friendship, family values and the sheer joy of living!
River Woods’ origins lie in a bygone era, the North-Eastern American lifestyle served as a source of inspiration for the creation of the brand. Translated into a commercial and contemporary collection, River Woods since then evolved into a brand offering casual and city collections for the whole family. Men, women, boys, girls and even babies and newborns, the whole family can dress in River Woods.
The key factors of the growth and succes of the brand are a strict adherance to quality and a keen and exclusive distribution strategy. Through high-level multibrand stores and the well-known River Woods Company Stores, River Woods has put itself on the map.
The origins: An inspiring era
The wind blows through the lush crowns of the majestic oak trees of North Eastern America. This is the era of true friendship and strong values. This is the era of the origins of River Woods: authentic sportswear which embraces family, solidarity and the shear joy of living, and reflects the spirit of the true North-Eastern American lifestyle.
The beginning: Birth of River Woods
It was the 6th of December 1995 when four friends signed for the realisation of a mutual dream: their own fashion brand. By combining their years of experience and knowledge in the fashion sector, River Woods was born.
From Belgium to…: First menswear collection
On the 6th of January 1996 the trading began with the introduction of a Menswear Collection. Thanks to its strict adherence to quality and the perfect translation of the authentic American sportswear to the European market, it was an immediate hit. In fact, the brand began with an exponential growth in Belgium, The Netherlands and France.
New launches: Introduction of Women’s and Kids collections
The success of the Menswear Collection quickly lead to the introduction of a complete range of clothing for Women and Kids. River Woods became a brand for the whole family.
First Flagship store: Creation of River Woods Baby
Following the successful debut of the Women & Kids collections, in 2000 the River Woods Baby subdivision was created. This year the first River Woods Flagship store opened in Wijnegem Shopping Center, near Antwerp. River Woods continues its expansion through new partnerships throughout Europe …
Manufacturers & Distributors: The story of our success
As of 2001 a rapid expansion of the brand throughout Europe is established with a keen distribution policy. Focusing on high-end multilabel stores and the by now well known exclusive River Woods Company Stores has proven to be a recipe for succes.
New agreements: Footwear and River Woods stationary collection
In 2005 the license agreements for a River Woods Footwear collection and a River Woods school stationary collection are made.
Global Expansion: River Woods’ network
By now, River Woods has established a solid distribution network throughout Europe, and is ever strengthening its worldwide position by expanding its network outside Europe. It is now present in 22 Countries in the World : Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA.
First RW Kids Store: New Opening
On the 23rd of January 2011, River Woods opens its first dedicated RW Kids store, at Wijnegem Shopping Center near Antwerp.
RW Casual Chic: New Opening
On the 29th of July 2011, a second River Woods Casual Chic store opens its doors in Knokke, Belgium. It offers exclusively the contemporary River Woods Ladies’ collection, and is an immediate hit.
Info
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.
La Rosa
La RosaInfo
Matteo La Rosa started the brand in June 2019.
In October 2020, he showed his first official collection to the public during Paris Fashion Week.
In June 2021, his second collection was shown through an online show. His first official men’s collection was shown then.
Matteo La Rosa is a Belgian/italian fashion designer and stylist from Antwerp. In 2019 he started his label MATTEO LA ROSA .
He mainly takes inspiration from the 80s. Where he is inspired by music such as new wave. The darkness and the color black he draws fully on to his collections.
Matteo designs for the powerful woman. A woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to show it. He embraces the female body in a way of pure elegance and adores how the garments fall over the body. The essence of this comes from his strong bond with his mother and grandmother. Two power women in Matteo La Rosa’s life.
Although he designs his silhouettes based on the female body, gender neutrality plays a very important role in Matteo’s designs. He actually designs for the person rather than the gender.
He usually shows his creations on models where the phenomenon of “woman” or “man” is non-existent. Only a true harmony between the garment and the body.
The sustainability aspect is very important in Matteo’s design process. Thus, everything is made in MATTEO LA ROSA’s own ateliers in Belgium.
He does not have a large stock of garments which means that no unnecessary fabrics are used and no waste is produced.
The brand MATTEO LA ROSA is built from a love for recycling old pieces and transforming them into new pret a porter pieces. As a result, each new collection will be a mix of archive pieces and newly produced pieces.
Collections include pieces for both men and women who feel good in an edgy basic silhouette of monotone colors.
Weg naar As 255 Genk 3600 Belgium
Les Tontons Racleurs
Les Tontons RacleursInfo
Les Tontons Racleurs is a creative duo made of Maud Dallemagne & Nicolas Belayew. Based in Brussels, Belgium, they use mainly DIY screenprinting as their media of choice. They develop products like posters and tee-shirt, set up shows, give workshops and more.
They like to collaborate with other artists and to involve the audience in their artworks.
Valentine Avoh
Valentine AvohInfo
About
BETWEEN PASSION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
THE DESIGNER
Valentine Avoh
Located in the heart of Brussels, the Atelier Valentine Avoh offers light, refined and playful wedding dresses in a Haute Couture spirit, combining surprising details and timeless cuts.
Graduated in fashion design from the London College of Fashion, the Belgian designer worked for more than 10 years for prestigious international houses such as Alexander McQueen, Alexis Mabille and San Andrès Milano.
While completing her first wedding dress in 2009, Valentine fell in love with the handcrafted process. Five years later, she launched her own brand and then opened her atelier in Brussels in 2017, where she creates each piece in the manner of the greatest names in Couture.
Inspirations
From Rita Hayworth’s undeniable glamour to the mysterious sensuality of Marlène Dietrich, Valentine’s universe is a mix of cinematographic and musical references. The songs of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald exude their charm in her creations.
From the first sketch to the finished product passing by the paper pattern, each pieces is made by hand in my Brussels workshop. The perfect equation to give you that feeling of intimate luxury and discreet elegance that only bespoke craftsmanship can provide.
In my constant quest for quality, I sources fabrics exclusively in Europe; in Italy, in France and of course in Belgium, from the same suppliers as those of the Haute Couture houses. I also develops some of my own unique embroideries in partnership with my suppliers in order to offer you truly unique pieces who embody the characteristic of the Atelier’s dna.
75 BOULEVARD SAINT-MICHEL BRUXELLES 1040