Carine Gilson
Carine Gilson
Info
Atelier véritable
“As day subtly turns to night and the hours steadily string by, the dream, at once airy and elegant, comes within reach. Pleasurably palpable.” – Carine Gilson
Carine Gilson’s story harks back to the 1990s. A freshly-minted graduate of Antwerp’s prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where she studied fashion, Carine Gilson discovered Maille France, a small Brussels atelier that manufactured fine ladies’ underslips. She immediately fell in love with the world of lingerie.
Savoir-faire
Carine Gilson decided to acquire the workshop and, with sheer dedication, set out to work on silk, lace, and exceptional materials. In the fashion of the boundlessly creative and refined lingerie creations of yore, Carine Gilson embraced this new adventure, taking her passion to the next level to create unique, breathtaking pieces in her Brussels atelier.
Exceptional Creations
The designer soon launched her couture lingerie line, Carine Gilson, a synonym for a world filled with incomparable beauty.
In no time, the press and finer stores from Japan, England, Italy, and America came calling. Buyers from renowned stores recognized the rare quality of these creations, which conjure the bygone enchantment of times past within our changed, modern world.
The prestige of Carine Gilson’s lingerie has grown quickly thanks to the unwavering excellence of her creations. In the House of Carine Gilson, every piece is lovingly crafted by hand. Perfection and finesse espouse rigor and passion. Lace incrustation is raised to an art form.
Take Flight
2018 saw Carine Gilson soar to new heights, with a redesigned logo that captures her very essence: two light, delicate wings of a bird on the verge of spreading in a gentle, feathery stroke.
Her new boutique on Boulevard de Waterloo in Brussels was designed by architects David & Nicolas who, together, created a subtly polished space celebrating Carine Gilson’s unabashed femininity and unparalleled refinement.
Symbolic of this ascent with wings aloft, the ready-to-wear and couture collections have been developed to take on an evocative and delicate turn. Here, the exceptional always takes center stage. In her incomparable signature style, Carine Gilson now designs for day, evening, and night.
26 Boulevard de Waterloo Brussels 1000
Eva Velazquez
Eva VelazquezInfo
Combining her love of beautiful materials with her passion for antique clothing, eva velazquez offers a timeless wardrobe away from ephemeral trends to reconnect with essential forms and especially the roots of the past.
Using utilitarian clothing as a starting point -from dungarees and uniforms to loungewear- she makes minimal and striking pieces feminine, ensuring every detail has a reason to exist. Willing to tell a story through her line, she reincarnates garments to make them personal and intimate. Fully designed and manufactured in Belgium, the collection uses only the finest materials, as well as upcycled and antique fabrics, subtly mixing ancient styles with new shapes. The aesthetics of European military uniforms, traditional workwear and popular clothes are ongoing sources of inspiration for the designer, motivated by her longing for truth and ethics.
Is therefore the opposite of a disposable and perishable brand, favoring technical effort instead of sloppy work. Eva velazquez also decided to preserve and revitalize the beauty of antique pieces, underlining a quality that stands the test of time.
Ancien Atelier is the most exclusive part of the brand, focusing on pieces searched within various European countries. Peasant shirts, cotton dresses, Victorian blouses, overalls, military costumes and precious lace are cleaned and reshaped to maintain their integrity. Each item is chosen for its uniqueness, the quality of its fabric and artisan finishings.
Also offering handpicked accessories, Ancien Atelier adds extra soul to styles crossing generations, the result of a constant search around antique clothing.
56 Rue Franz Merjay Brussels 1050 Belgium
Info
In 1876, François Van Roy founded an independent company producing work clothes. After World War One his son Otto started the weaving mill, followed, after World War Two, by a production workshop making its own collection of men shirts. In 1965 grandson Robrecht Van Roy and his wife Vic Meersschaut switched from the own gentleman’s collection to concentrate on production of ladies’ blouses and men’s shirts under contract. In 1997 the old firm became a public limited company, V.R. Embroidery.
In 1999 Robrecht’s children Steven and Els took over as active partners. They worked with the designers Vicky Vinck and Katrien Strijbol to develop a full collection for women wich resulted in Just in Case. In 2002, VRE has an embroidery department and contract work as well as its own collection, JUST IN CASE
Just in Case is a Belgian high profile fashion brand sold in an impressive list of countries. Antwerp based designers Vicky Vinck and Katrien Strijbol create sophisticated collections for women as romantic as they are. Amongst the clients you will find famous and not so famous women, yet all strong characters.
The collection explores as well boundaries of former fashion styles with romantic & fashionable details which Vicky & Katrien draw or create themselves. This makes the collection recognisable by the public and is regarded as highly fashionable. Women waring Just In Case will not pass unnoticed and are often complimented out of the blue with their choice of clothes.
PAROCHIESTRAAT 98 DENDERLEEUW 9472 Belgium
Info
ABOUT
For several years we have remained a regular partner of various top brands that appreciate both our flexibility, a no-nonsense mentality and young dynamics.
WHAT WE DO
As a lot of people are stitching them at home to help many amongst us, we decided to sell our stock fabrics online too.
HISTORY
- Acquisition in 1996 and became a family company
- Family Company based in Bruges
- Production 100% in Poland
- 1999 – 2001: Taking over
- ‘ROMILUXE’ – bed and bath textiles for babies
- ‘VERONICA MODE ATELIER’ (high fashion wage company)
- Sampling & Finishing Plant Belgium
- ‘PAS DE DEUX’ maternity brand
- 2014 – 2016: End of our brands ‘Romiluxe’ and ‘Pas de Deux’
- 2016: 100% Ladies Wear Wage Company
- 2017: Plant in TUNISIA
Pathoekeweg 50 Brugge 8000 BE
Fam
FamThe LabelInfo
ABOUT
Conscious Fashion
Over the last years, the word ‘sustainable’ has become fashionable. It is being used often and in a lot of different contexts where it always seems to take on a different meaning. In many cases brands use this word as a marketing tool, in some cases this word is abused to greenwash. 100% sustainability is impossible but we do try to be conscious about our responsibilities as a label. Let us state what our approach to conscious fashion looks like to us and to our FAMily.
Everything we do has an impact, leaves a footprint. It is our goal to make this imprint as positive as is commercially possible. We reduce our carbon footprint in a number of creative ways and make sure that all the people involved with FAM are positively empowered.
How We Achieve This
Sustainable Design
Short-lived trends are not in our vocabulary. We strive to make clothing that transcends seasons and stay with you for the longest possible time. We like to think of our collection as a capsule. As our environment changes and temperatures fluctuate, we deem it important that our clothing is versatile and that certain pieces can easily transition the seasons with you.
Each year we design and produce two transseasonal capsule collections for which we choose fabrics that are suitable for summer as well as winter.
Sustainable Production
We have chosen to have all of our clothing produced in Europe to ensure a minimal amount of transportation and a working environment that is congruent with European Social law.
Ilda and Manuel are the proud owners of a small family business in Portugal and have themselves sewn our very first FAM pieces. This was the start of a very fruitful collaboration and a way to make sure that our clothing is made to last by well paid happy people. Happy people are important if we are to build a new world together.
Sustainable Fabrics And Printing
Technology and industry have made impressive advancements in the last years however we still have a long way to go to produce fabrics that are versatile, durable and ecologically innovative at the same time.
Although the possibilities are sometimes still limited, we put a lot of effort into sourcing fabrics that help us achieve both our goals in regards to conscious fashion as a company and our aesthetic goals as a fashion label.
All of our prints are designed in Belgium and printed in Europe with inks that pollute less and with a process that significantly reduces water consumption.
Transparency
It is important for us that you, our beloved FAM, are provided the tools to make decisions with integrity and enable you to consume and buy in such a way that is in line with your environmental and social ethics.
In striving for perfection, we have learned it is unattainable. Today it is strictly impossible to do everything 100% sustainably but we are encouraged to know our society and economy are slowly changing directions. We have you to thank for this and it is you and your choices as a consumer that can help us achieve a world where a well thought through approach to conscious fashion can become our collective reality.
Washing Prescriptions
Buying conscious clothing is an excellent first step in reducing our carbon footprint. The second step would be to make our clothes last longer so that we don’t have to throw them away
The Story
Before she created FAM, Vanessa Beniers was racing through life, like a lot of us, working a busy job with little creative satisfaction. Right after losing her mother and later also her job, she hit a metaphorical wall and crashed.
Loss is destructive but destruction always means opportunity, so Vanessa started digging for things that could give her life a renewed sense of meaning. She promised herself to never put another dream in a box, to unapologetically stand for what she believes in and to let love and passion guide her way. Turning her setbacks into wins ultimately guided her back to her childhood passion, her love for fine clothes.
Friendship And Collaboration
Life has a funny way of bringing the right people together at exactly the right moment. Around the same time Vanessa decided to enroll herself in several courses on patternmaking, fabrics and business she met Clarisse Rocha.
Clarisse was making a sustainable impact with her organic farming business in Portugal until the economic crisis hit. She felt forced to leave her home country and family to become a cleaner in Belgium and found a job working for Vanessa. As they both shared their stories about life and loss, they also shared their dreams and found common passions. A deep friendship was born and so was the drive to share their love for fashion and sustainability.
A few years later this friendship has grown into a strong collaboration. Clarisse was able to move back to Portugal and now manages FAM’s entire production process.
Meet The FAMily
We are a fashion brand but first and foremost, we are people. People who laugh and cry and crave connection. People who love hard and believe in the magic of community.
We are a fashion brand but first and foremost, we are human. We are more than cold measurements of size and weight, of revenue and efficiency. We want to put our humanity front and center in all of our endeavours. We don’t build a community around our brand, we build our brand around our community. People are the driving force and people are the reason we center our values around sustainability and inclusiveness. It is our connection with one another that makes our work worthwhile. When we feel we are all working towards a common goal we feel united and empowered. When we see that we share the same values, hopes and dreams, we start to consider ourselves a FAMily.
This is us, the FAMily.
Get to know us.
Vanessa
Designer & Founder
My favorite song: La Foule – Edith Piaff
Most loved FAM item: Our Mona dress, for its endless versatility.
A talent I am proud of: My creativity, being grateful in every situation and my ability to forge deep bonds with people.
On being a FAMme: It’s all about authenticity for me and embodying the duality of my sensitive sides and my badass edges.
FAMbitions: Make our brand grow by building it with the right people; our FAMily. Bringing about a change in our mindsets when it comes to dressing sustainably and making FAM an established value in this market.
Clarisse
Head Of Production & Quality Manager
My favorite song: Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Most loved FAM item: Our Hanna Jumpsuit
A talent I am proud of: Connecting the creative aspects of the brand with the technical. My ability to easily connect with other people and making them smile in stressful situations. I love taking care of people and am also considered the mom of the family.
FAMbitions: To see FAM grow into an internationally successful brand.
Anaïs
Creative Community Manager
My favorite song: Lazy Nina – Greg Phillinganes
Most loved FAM item: Ash & Lee in Dark Clay Tencel
A talent I am proud of: My creative side – exploring & expressing new ideas.
FAMbitions: Spreading our message with creative content that reflects our FAM values. To not be afraid of being a little silly or breaking boundaries in order to reach our goal of a sustainable and ethical future.
Ilda & Manuel
When researching how we would tackle the production of our garments, one of our fabric suppliers gave us an address. We didn’t have a phone number to make an appointment so we just drove there and were immediately welcomed as family.
Everything just clicked and after discussing some things over a nice dinner that Ilda and Manuel had prepared for us we decided that these were the people who would handle our production. Soon after that Ilda made our very first FAM piece because she deeply believed this was the start of an amazing adventure together. She couldn’t have been more right.
Ilda and Manuel are now irreplaceable members of our FAMily. Our connection is deep and the amount of care and perfection they put into the production is uncomparable. We could not do this without them.
Katrien
Print Designer
My favorite song: Roam – The B52’s
A talent I am proud of: My sense of color, my capacity to capture ambiance and feeling with my drawings.
On being a FAMme: Sharing values and visions with a community of likeminded people is what’s important to me.
FAMbitions: To make women feel joyful and unique in their FAM outfits.
Celine
Wordsmith & Visual Content Creator
My favorite song: Millionaire (ft. Andre 3000) – Kelis
Most loved FAM item: All of our Kate trousers, they are incredibly flattering.
A talent I am proud of: Living and thinking outside of the box.
On being a FAMme: Embracing the full scope of what I am, trusting my intuition and not waiting for anyone’s approval to stray off the beaten path is what makes me feel complete.
FAMbitions: To be a drop in the ocean of people who are working towards a sustainable and inclusive future. That our mindful way of doing business will one day outweigh the impacts of fast fashion.
Sophie
Producer Prototypes
My favorite song: Boys will be boys – Dua Lipa
A talent I am proud of: My ability to turn a 2D design into a 3D garment and the sewing skills I need to accomplish that.
Most loved FAM item: I absolutely love the Elise jumpsuit.
FAMbitions:I want to keep improving communication between the design team and production team to produce high-quality garments.
Christel
Marketing Coach
You
The FAMme We Design For
You’re the star of our FAMily because your choices as a consumer are driving the real change. You are making our dreams possible and for that we love you, we thank you, we see you. Keep shining, keep doing you.
Ooievaarsnest 16 Gentbrugge 9050 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
Wim Bruynooghe
Wim BruynoogheInfo
WIM BRUYNOOGHE, BORN BRUGES IN 1988, IS A BELGIAN DESIGNER AND GRADUATE OF THE FASHION DEPARTMENT OF THE ANTWERP ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS.
ENCOURAGED BY BELGIAN PRESS, BRUYNOOGHE AND HIS PARTNER LAUR DILLEN STORMS FOUNDED THE WIM BRUYNOOGHE BRAND, PRESENTING THE FIRST READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION IN SEPTEMBER 2013.
HE SOON FOUND A PLACE FOR HIMSELF IN THE BELGIAN FASHION LANDSCAPE, WINNING THE KNACK WEEKEND AWARD AND OPENING A GUERILLA STORE IN ANTWERP IN MARCH 2015. HOUSED IN A MAGNIFICENT OFFICE BLOCK FROM BACK IN THE DAY, THE STORE PAID RESPECT TO SLEEK AND ELEGANT WIM BRUYNOOGHE GENE.
IN JANUARY 2016, THE DESIGNER WAS FEATURED ON FORBES’ ’30 UNDER 30′-LIST FOR EUROPEAN ENTREPRENEURS. HE WAS SELECTED BY THE AMERICAN BUSINESS MAGAZINE AS ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS OF EUROPE.
ALSO IN 2016, BRUYNOOGHE WAS APPOINTED CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF UCWHY, A BRAND FOUNDED BY ANNE CHAPELLE, CEO OF BVBA 32.
DISTILLATING SPORTS INFLUENCES WHILE QUOTING AND HOMAGING THE WORK OF THE GREAT 20TH CENTURY COUTURIERS, THE NAME WIM BRUYNOOGHE HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH AN OUTSPOKEN SENSE OF ELEGANCE.
Nuage d’Automne
Nuage d’AutomneInfo
Thu Van Nguyen
clothing designer
It was in 2006 that Thu-Van Nguyen created the brand Nuage d’Automne (translation of Thu-Van in Vietnamese). This Eurasian born in Perpignan (France) has lived in Belgium since the age of 6.
Trained as a costume designer and decorator, she came to styling in a natural way as if to express through Fashion the mixture of cultures and origins of which she is the fruit.
In her workshop in La Hulpe, she creates medium and high-end ready-to-wear for men and women, in unique pieces, limited series and made-to-measure.
In an ethnic style, Nuage d’Automne bears witness to the meeting between the East and the West, the ancient and the modern.
In addition to using natural materials (silk, wool, linen or cotton) as well as vegetable dyes for certain ranges, particular attention is paid to the quality of the finishes.
The stage costume complements its work through spectacular outfits and costumes for musicians, dancers or actors.
Creativity, know-how and experience at the service of Fashion.
She stands out with an approach to Fashion that is more artistic than “trendy” by creating unexpected mixes. What makes these clothes exceptional, sometimes close to a work of art.
In an unconventional style with minimalist cuts, it combines elegance with a mixture of cultures and eras, while promoting craftsmanship and know-how.
Creation Workshop
Training
Training in vegetable dye and indigo with Martine Bourlée (2017 – 18)
INFAC / EFPME: scenography-show technician (2001-2005)
Academy of Arts of Ixelles in live model drawing. (2001-2002)
School of Arts of Braine-l’Alleud: multidisciplinary training. Certificate of secondary artistic education with reduced hours (1998 – 2001)
Internships
Set painting with Alexandre Obolensky & Opéra Royal de La Monnaie (2001-2005)
Scenography and stage management with Jean-Marie Fiévez at the Théâtre Le Public (2001-2003)
Costume making with France Lamboray at the Théatre Le Public (2003-2005)
Parade at the Palace of the Kings of Majorca
Stage costumes for percussionists
Significant events in the professional career
Parades & Exhibitions:
Salon Créations (Province of Walloon Brabant – 2017 & 2018)
Walloon Fair of Crafts of Wallonia – 2016 & 2018)
ArtiBw exhibition (OMA Brabant Wallon – Château d’Hélécine – 2016 to 2018)
Salon Ethno Tendance (Farushi asbl – Tour & Taxi, Brussels – 2015 & 2013)
Second Hand Second Life Festival (Les Petits Riens – Tour& Taxi, Brussels – 2013)
Monaco Wedding Fair (Daily Fashion – Forum Grimaldi, Monaco – 2013)
Brussels Fashion Days (Bee Group – The Egg, Brussels – 2013 & 2012)
Pop-Up Store Fair (Lille – 2012)
Autumn Cloud Parade (Palace of the Kings of Majorca, Perpignan, France – 2012)
Theater :
Ria Carbonez (2018 to 2021)
Theater Loyal du Trac – 2006, 2011, 2013
Stage management for the shows “Couldn’t we love each other a little? and Noces de Vent (Théâtre Loyal du Trac, Belgium, France, Switzerland, New Caledonia, Tahiti – 2005 to 2017)
Assistant Justine Drabs for Marie Tudor (Théâtre Jardin Passion, Belgium – 2014)
After the bridge (Théâtre Oz, Belgium – 2005)
Bintou (Théâtre Océan Nord, Belgium – 2002)
Music :
18 percussionist costumes (Sysmo, Belgium – 2015)
Saxophonist (Cyril Thiry, Belgium – 2015)
Dance :
Café Frappé (Tap Show Company and TLT, Belgium – 2013)
Movie theater :
Short film (SMOG, Belgium, 2015)
Circus:
The Flying Partners (Ptits Bras, Belgium, France – 2011)
Circus Marcel (Robert en Alfons vzw, Belgium – 2012)
Events:
Tibidou mascot (Editions Acrodalivres, Belgium – 2016)
Costume designer assistant for management staff (Zinneke asbl, Belgium – 2011)
She stands out with an approach to Fashion that is more artistic than “trendy” by creating unexpected mixes. What makes these clothes exceptional, sometimes close to a work of art.
In an unconventional style with minimalist cuts, it combines elegance with a mixture of cultures and eras, while promoting craftsmanship and know-how.
104, rue des Combattants La Hulpe 1310 Belgium
Bellerose
BelleroseInfo
OUR 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
Info
Meet Tutu Chic, a Belgian fashion brand that represents the motto “La vie en Rose” 100%.
BRAND PROFILE
The Belgian fashion- and lifestyle label TUTU CHIC of fashion designer Freya Poppe, is well known for the motto “La Vie en Rose”. Since 2012, TUTU CHIC creates luxurious, stylish and happy outfits for women who want to stand out from the crowd. Customers from over the whole world fancy the pink lifestyle of this ambitious fashion label. “Let women, feel and BE women, strong, powerful ladybosses, with a poppy and happy twist” – Freya Poppe
ABOUT TUTU CHIC
TUTU CHIC was founded in 2012 by the Belgian fashion – entrepreneur Freya Poppe. Within a few years, lots of hard work (powered by her passion and her entrepreneur-skills), Freya managed to build this strong brand from scratch.
The pink lifestyle label stands for luxurious signature pieces, with a big heart for colors and stylish cuts.
Freya Poppe is the daughter of a creative entrepreneurs’ family and worked from very young age as entrepreneur and creative brain. For years she studied fashion design in Antwerp and worked very hard to get her fashion skills on point. “How can I call myself a real designer, if I wouldn’t understand how for example a pattern is assembled?” Her several business degrees and experiences gave her the courage to start the company. TUTU CHIC was born. A brand with a particularly chic, positive and exclusive look that was still lacking in the Belgian market.
Signature pieces like the hand knitted vests, the luxurious fabrics, the love for colours are just a few examples of the strong brand.
Today, TUTU CHIC is sold in more than 40 partner stores and the collections are available over the whole world throughout the official webshop: http://www.tutuchic.be
(PINK) AMBITION
Since 2016 the ambitious Freya got some national fame through 2 seasons of the television show on VIJF “Pink Ambition”.
The HQ (headquarters), atelier and showroom of TUTU CHIC have been located from June 2016 in a complete new building in Kruibeke (near Antwerp). The HQ, provides extra room for further growth of the successful brand. With two main collections per year, our own atelier and never-out of stock items, TUTU CHIC has gained a solid market position.
As entrepreneur, she is always on the go, and looking for the next step. Next to our own Gin, Tutu Chic launched their first shoe collection. Alongside Tutu Chic, exists Tutu Dors. The bedding brand for which Freya has designed her own line of
boxsprings, mattresses and sheets in the same spirit as the clothing line, so customers can really immerse themselves into the Tutu Chic world.