Vest
Vest
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Vest, by Veerle
VEST: on the cusp between creativity and traditional craftsmanship
Slow fashion is gradually gaining more ground and is now firmly embedded in the concept of sustainable thinking. VEST, the Belgian knitwear label by Veerle Stubbe, is a prime example of what happens when sustainability and creativity converge. Her hand-knitted sweaters, cardigans and accessories are statement pieces to enjoy for many seasons on end. VEST brings the concept of luxury back to the essentials.
The clicking of knitting needles is one of the earliest memories that Veerle cherishes of her mother and grandmother. A sound that always filled her with a sense of tranquillity, it still makes her feel very ‘zen’ despite the immense list of orders. VEST has fans all over the globe, from Belgium to Japan. The Belgian knitwear label owes its success to a combination of authentic hand-crafted products, executed in the right colours with deluxe yarns and featuring easy-going models that tie in perfectly with today’s Zeitgeist.
For VESTimentary seekers of added value
Veerle Stubbe, mother of two young men, discovered her calling in fashion only at a later age. Or not entirely: drawn to creative professions early on in life, she decided to bring her own artisanal knitwear collection to the market three years ago: VEST.
She sought and found the most beautiful yarns in Italy, including a soft blend of mohair and silk, and set to work independently. Her sweaters, cardigans, shawls and beanies quickly gained in popularity and she soon needed several additional pairs of hands. A sweater or cardigan requires eight hours of manual labour, after all! Thanks to a team of knitters she is now able to keep up with the demand.
HOF TER EKEN 1 LAARNE 9270 Belgium
Sigi
SigiMore Info
The Art of Knitting
Craftsmanship and experimentation define the culture of Sigi. We focus on creating new depths of colour and texture through the mixing of different yarns to present new and innovative designs that are instantly recognisable.
We have a deep respect and care for the knitwear we produce as well as the way in which we produce it. This is why we ensure that all of our knitwear is made in Belgium by real craftsmen and women under the best possible working conditions. These elements help define the culture we want to nurture with the Sigi brand.
Family
At SIGI we are proud of our family heritage with over 40 years of experience in the field of knitwear. Ilia Sigi Eckardt grew up in Antwerp in a very creative family where knitting was essential to the household. Being considered true experts in their field, mother Hilde Frunt and son Ilia Eckardt have been collaborating with Belgium’s best and brightest designers: Dries Van Noten, Raf Simons, Ann Demeulemeester and many more.
Made In Belgium
We do all our research, designing and development in our offices in the heart of Antwerp. Sourcing from our local pool of amazing talent is something we take great pride in. We have great faith in our local potential.
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A STORY OF KNIT AND FAMILY
It all started in 2000 when Alain and Caroline Eaton decided, after 15 years as agents for several ready-to-wear brands, to launch their own label on the Belgian market. The very first collection consisted of 10 jumpers in a wide range of colours. Fancy knitwear is Jeff’s DNA. Loyal to their agents, the buyers took a chance and from the first season onwards, Jeff was found in 50 multi-brand shops in Belgium, the gamble paid off.
From season to season, the couple continued to develop pretty knits and then, little by little, the collection expanded to include floral prints, linen and T-shirts. Jeff is a feminine and casual collection, trendy without being too sharp, which dresses all women. The brand is now distributed in more than 100 shops in Belgium and from 2008 onwards it started to export to Europe and the world. In 2013 Victoria Eaton joined her parents and brought a young and creative touch to the collection. The brand continues to evolve to keep up with the times. More and more present internationally, in 2018 the online shop is launched and the flagship store relocated to the centre of Brussels at the Sablon.
25 Rue Joseph Stevens, Sablon, Brussels 1000 Belgium
Ariane Lespire
Ariane LespireMore Info
HISTORY
After graduating in architecture, Ariane Lespire decided to explore new paths. Her enthusiasm and never-ending creativity led her to her parallel career. She first created ceremony hats before switching to ready-to-wear and accessories. Her scarves, stoles, hats and beanies in boiled wool contributed to her first commercial successes. Her collections are currently sold in Belgium, France, United States… After a few seasons, she decided to add wool, cotton and other materials (such as leather) to her collections, as well as jewels. Ariane and two collaborators conceived and hand-make unique pieces and special orders in a cute Liège-based boutique. Two local ateliers produce the limited editions pieces or the small series. One of them is specialised in the vocational rehabilitation of women in needs. This ethic and social involvement is in line with Ariane’s strong desire to offer a high-qualitative product, which is contemporary, but also sustainable.
253 Rue Saint Gilles Liège B-4000 Belgium
Rue Saint Gilles 253 Liège B-4000 Belgium
Conscious Antwerp
Conscious AntwerpMore Info
Hello! Meet CONSCIOUS ANTWERP, and what we stand for.
If you love beautiful and sustainable clothing design as much as we do, you’ve come to the right place. Conscious Antwerp is a new clothing concept created and designed with an eye for both style and sustainability from start to finish. By combining the principles of ‘ethical and sustainable business’ ( which is a very interesting course at UA by the way!) with a passion for quality and design Conscious Antwerp was transformed from dream to reality.
Our mission is to deliver beautiful, high-quality and timeless items with a luxurious yet casual appearance, which you can wear with proud and without guilt!
We deliver this promise by producing locally and with a sustainable use of materials. The reason we chose this more costly manner is because we consciously want to produce fair clothing with a minimal CO2 impact. Now you know that your clothing is not only unique in design but also in value. 😉
Our vision is to become big by staying small, so we don’t do any harm.
Our mission and vision tell our values, but they also determine the external features of our clothing such as shape, color, texture and dimension. The pieces are unique in appearance due to the combination of the leftover materials and the simplicity and longevity of the designs.
‘Only great minds can afford simple style’
Rijnkaai 20 bus1 Antwerp 2000 Belgium
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OUR STORY
One family, three alpacas and a meadow in the valley of the Mandel-river in West-Flanders, Belgium, that is how Hug & Hum started in 2013. Once a year – in spring – the alpacas were shorn. Anja De Brabant and her family were so delighted about the silky softness of the alpaca fleeces they decided it would be a waste not to use them. At first, the fleeces were used to produce scarves: soft, fluffy and oh so pleasantly warm. When Anja got in touch with a knitwear designer, she decided to create a complete knitwear collection consisting of 100% baby alpaca. Pure and natural, without any dyes or chemical treatments and with all of the natural qualities of alpaca.
Today, Hug & Hum is ready to wrap the world in alpaca warmth and cosiness.
RESPECT
Respect for nature – and the natural beauty of alpaca fleece – is at the core of Hug & Hum’s story. In order to preserve their insulating qualities and fluffy feel, alpaca fleeces are mainly processed by hand. After the alpacas are shorn, the fleeces are sorted out by colour and quality. Plant residues and impurities are removed – the so-called skirting – and only the best parts are selected to be spun into the softest yarn. The knitting is done with the same care and respect fort he fibre. By using a stitch that doesn’t pull the yarn too tight, we are able to keep its natural softness.
WARMTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
LOVE
Hug & Hum uses 100% baby alpaca from Peru. That is also where all the spinning and knitting is done. We work together with a knitwear atelier located in Peru, that employs local, socially vulnerable women, allowing them to earn a fair income to support themselves and their families. Recently, we started a similar collaboration with a social enterprise that produces all- natural botanically dyed yarns, in small batches by the skilled hands of local women artisans. They use plants they find in the mountains to dye the alpaca yarns in new, exclusive colours for Hug & Hum. By working together with social enterprises we want to bring warmth and softness not only to the people who wear the collection, but also to those who make it.
Sint Antoniusstraat 22 Wakken 8720 Belgium
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ABOUT CESAR
In addition to being a model, food lover, traveler and proud author of my two cookbooks Model Kitchen and Cesar’s Kitchen and the travel guide Trippin, I have launched the Cesar Casier Knitwear Collection. While growing up, I was always surrounded by fashion. My mom owns a high-end fashion boutique “OONA” in Ghent and my stepmom is a fashion designer. They were my biggest influencers and shaped my views on fashion while growing up, the logical next step was to start my own collection.
100% MADE IN BELGIUM.
KNITWEAR COLLECTION
The Cesar Casier Knitwear Collection is 100% made in Belgium, something that is very rare nowadays. Everything I design is produced in a small family owned factory located in Sint-Niklaas, a city between Antwerp and my hometown Ghent. Fact is that back in the days there were about 300 factories located in this area and now there are only two left, a sad reality. Therefore, it is important to support the revival of Belgian knitwear as much as possible!
GENDER NEUTRAL FASHION
Next to my roots, my brand represents Gender Equality. A human right I hold dear and it is something I stand for. I translate this into my designs, as they are mostly unisex. I want my brand to lead the way in gender-neutral fashion. In my opinion, gender no longer dictates the way people dress and it does not force anyone into a box. That is why I try to design as much gender neutral pieces as possible, this allows us to express ourselves exactly the way we all want to. My designs are timeless, comfortable and basic, yet fashionable and with an eye for detail and great quality
CHARITY
I’ve always loved nature and even more, the animals who live in it. That’s why, for every sold item on my website, I’ll donate 1 euro to a charity. For my previous collection I’ve donated money to help save the dolphins, The Great Barrier Reef and the Giraffes in the wild. By donating money to a good cause, I want to send awareness to the public about the beauty of nature and to support animal and nature welfare!
Hubert Frere Orbanlaan 629 Ghent 9000 Belgium
Howlin’
Howlin’More Info
ABOUT
We are an Antwerp based knitwear brand.
Since 1981 we have been producing quality knitwear in Scotland and in 2009 we launched our new label Howlin’ (scottish slang for smelly). The way of manufacturing remains traditional but Howlin’ offers more room for fantasy in shape and pattern.
At Howlin’ we strive for timeless, playful products that are made with care. So whether it is a scarf or a shaggy waistcoat; all our products are individually manufactured and hand finished by traditionally skilled craftsmen in either Scotland, Ireland or Belgium using the highest quality yarns possible.
Small is beautiful.
MADE IN SCOTLAND
Scotland has a long history of producing the best knitwear in the world and we are happy to be involved in it for over 30 years.
Since the start of Howlin’ our goal was to bring a fresh somewhat twisted approach to Scottish knitwear while respecting its rich heritage. Keeping the best of the old techniques and mix it with new technology, patterns, colors and ideas.
In an ever faster and more automated economy we are happy to slow things down and have our focus on well made products. It’s a niche, we know, but we like niche products, a lot. Just like a small record label doing hand stamped 7 inches with personal liner notes. It’s the beauty in the details.
Each Howlin’ garment is handled individually and tenderly, throughout its entire production, from the first precise stitch to the delicate pressing and folding.
All our yarns are carefully sourced according to their quality and sustainability standards. Our beloved planet earth has a special place in our heart and we think it’s the best planet out there (as far as we know) so we want to have the lowest impact on it as possible.
Our natural yarns come from local mills, some even complete all the stages of yarn production under one roof. This includes grading, scouring and dyeing fleece before colour blending, carding, spinning, twisting and balling to produce this unique 100% pure Shetland yarn.
A quality which is often imitated but never duplicated.
MADE IN IRELAND
Over the years we have been working closely with a small Irish family run company established centuries ago.
Together with these master crafts people we produce the highest quality knitwear with local Irish yarns.
We have to admit, at first we got strange looks when we came up with our ideas but that changed over the years, now it’s simply that classic smile when they see a new Howlin’ design.
We are very happy to contribute to this unique art and craft which is not only beautiful but also important culturally to remain alive.
Producing in Ireland (and Scotland, and Belgium) not only means you have a truly unique product in your hand, it also means that the people making your goods are well paid and looked after.
MADE IN BELGIUM
Next to our Scottish and Irish knitwear we are happy to create products in our home country Belgium.
Together with several small factories in Belgium, each carefully chosen for their own speciality, we managed to make a diverse range of products which include lighter weight knitwear, jersey and towel fabric garments.
Our goal was to create durable, functional and original products which far outlives seasonal trends.
All pieces are produced in small batches and with close attention to details.
Extra special is the fact that for our jersey we don’t import fabrics but that we knit everything entirely in-house.
Therefore we can proudly say that all our Howlin’ products are truly 100% produced in Belgium.
Nationalestraat 20 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Kopstraatje 3 2000 Antwerp Belgium
I Love Mr. Mittens
I Love Mr. MittensMore Info
When Belgian born Stéphanie Caulier visited a small knitting cafe in New York back in 2007, she was reminded of her childhood passion of knitting. Growing up in a family surrounded by knitting and sewing, it was only natural that Stéphanie developed an interest in knitwear. It has been a labour of love over the years and from small beginnings of knitting for family and friends, the brand has evolved into `I love Mr Mittens`. Stéphanie’s passion for knitwear and design is clearly illustrated through her multiple social media avenues and her masses of followers built in the last few years.
Whilst not following traditional academic design study, Stephanie has honed her skills through years of experience in her chosen craft. She combines this knowledge with her keen fashion eye to create a line of unique chunky wool garments.
I Love Mr Mittens is not only a fashion label, it is a label based upon community and sustainability whilst maintaining timeless aesthetics. This ideal also flows through to the I Love Mr Mittens stockists. The I Love Mr Mittens range is available through a carefully selected array of stockists. Quality over quantity is Stephanie’s vision for her brand and this is seen through her select group of stockists across the globe. It is also important to recognise I love Mr Mittens “Heartworking” philosophy. Each garment is hand knitted with love by Stephanie and her team. This collaboration of small, independent businesses (rather than large conglomerates) completes the vision of I love Mr Mittens to create a brand that provides a genuine contribution back to the local community. University students and retired pensioners alike, work with a common objective of executing Stephanie’s vision of how knitwear should be, simple, elegant, timeless and fashionable.
HEAD OFFICE 101 Napier street Cottesloe WA 6011 Australia
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Knitto is a Belgian company specialized in knitwear design founded by Nathalie Bouhana & David Sdika.They design knitwear for major brands in luxury and fashion as well as their own menswear and womenswear label,Chauncey.
rue des anciens etangs 40 Brussels 1190 Belgium