Info
Manice is a Belgian brand of young and colorful dresses. You will find your happiness among cocktail dresses, evening dresses, suite dresses, wedding outfits, processions of children of honor, original and exclusive dresses for everyday life, but also for your exceptional events… Thanks to the Mosaïques By Manice collection, create your own strapless dress and all the matching accessories: jewelry, stoles, clutches, headpieces and matching ties!
About the brand…
The red wire? The dress… Evening dress, cocktail dress or more simply a secret, bewitching, intimate and seductive dress.
Fresh and elegant silhouettes, charming lightness, shimmering colors… each dress is a journey! The young Belgian brand tastefully mixes the rock spirit and a creativity full of impertinence, a bit daring, all embellished with a romantic touch. The Manice collection stands out for the explosion of colors, dynamic, sparkling and light models. Special attention is paid to detail and complements each piece, giving each dress a unique and exclusive character.
Made for the active, romantic and sophisticated woman, Manice offers both dressy and urban or casual dresses, but always imbued with elegance. Each piece is handmade and unique. The outfits are available in limited quantities in order to preserve their exclusivity. Not to mention the low prices!
A subtle blend of elegance and audacity, Manice dresses casually highlight your natural femininity. They adapt to your style while allowing you to distinguish yourself. Everything is allowed…be dazzling!
Behind Manice hides…
Graduated in management engineering, trained by various designers (Elvis Pompilio, Pierre Gauthier) and abroad (Milan, Caracas, Madrid), fascinated by India and in love with fabrics, Charlotte Boute (27) keeps the best of each of her experiences to create shimmering dresses. Under the Manice label, she offers a collection of dresses offering the lightness and freshness of a young designer far from large productions. With Mosaïques, it unveils an innovative and up-to-date collection facing the difficulties of the sector while meeting the requirements of the clientele.
Chaussée de Charleroi, 53A Thorembais-Saint-Trond 1360 Belgium
Toos Franken
Toos FrankenInfo
Belgian designer Toos Franken started her career in fashion at the renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Toos Franken has been pushing for a more transparent and inclusive fashion industry for years. Her critical attitude towards the industry translates among other things into her choice for exclusively producing in Belgium. Furthermore Toos Franken obtains a unique position in the world of fashion by creating and drawing the patterns for each and every design herself. A grand craftsmanship by which Toos Franken makes an exceptional contribution to a women’s wardrobe.
You can’t help but get drawn into designer Toos Franken’s thought process when you meet her. Speaking quietly but decidedly flashing a quick smile between sentences she bounces ideas back and forth, allowing you to track the creative process churning synchronously alongside her focus on business realism.
Starting out where most of Belgium’s cream of the crop matured, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion
Department, Toos Franken navigated dropping out early (having a baby will change the course of your life quite considerably), starting afresh sewing in the ateliers of our greats Haider Ackermann and Ann Demeulemeester. This lead to her taking on a new course to become a pattern designer and raising a second kid while branching out as an independent designer.
After a major switchup to aseasonal collections she opened her own flagship store in the nucleus of Belgian fashion: the spot across from MoMu fashion museum in Antwerp’s Nationalestraat. KNOTORYUS
Toos Franken (1989) was born and raised on country grounds in Antwerp, Belgium. Founder of namesake label Toos Franken, established in 2014. Member of the Cronos group since 2017.
FROM NOW ON
From now on, you will take this moment to be your brave self; to be true to yourself, in good times and bad; in sickness and health; you will never accept another’s standard for success as you get yours one measure higher; you will love yourself and honour your beliefs for every day of your life.
When you’re finished, no one will ever look at us the same way again.
Steegstraat 18 Balen 2490 Belgium
Conscious Antwerp
Conscious AntwerpInfo
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
Info
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
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
Stan & Loesje
Stan & LoesjeInfo
We love to make creations that are clean cut, playful and sensual.
Our mission: ‘Design to make you look good.’
Naturally we work with ecological fabrics to create these designs, and we want you to say: Like, Like, Like!
Have a look around, to see what we mean!
Jan van Aelbroecklaan 33 Gentbrugge 9050 Belgium
Info
About us
SUITSHERWELL was founded by Gloria and Mandy Kourkouliotis, two sisters from Genk with Greek roots on their father’s side. Gloria is a political scientist with a heart for sustainability and ethical business. Mandy is a journalist and communication scientist by training. She writes for several lifestyle and interior design magazines. Together they form a strong ping pong team. Their youngest sister Xenia is still studying, but behind the screen of her smartphone she helps to map out the social media story. Her official introduction will follow soon.
Their minimalist tailor-made suit label combines quality with affordability and inclusiveness in the broadest sense of the word. They not only want to be a fashion label, but also a community that stands for openness, equality and female empowerment. With great respect for the female body in all its variants. From very slim to beautiful, round shapes. They’ve got you covered!
The own designs are sustainably and ethically produced in Portugal. The European country par excellence in terms of start-ups and a progressive fashion industry. They avoid the not so transparent Silk Road and work with local partners as much as possible. For their packaging, a collaboration was established with Ropak from Genk and their beautiful images were taken by the talented photographer Shari Ruzzi. They found the right partner (De Gouden Draad in Hasselt) for customizing the suits through the AZO project. A European initiative that guides recognized refugees to entrepreneurship.
Buying a SUITSHERWELL tailor-made suit is not only a wardrobe investment, but also the realization of a dream. Supporting young, female and Belgian entrepreneurship.
SUITSHERWELL, empowerment suits you well.
– Gloria & Mandy
Diesterstraat 5 Hasselt 3500 Belgium
Info
BIO
els.mommaerts
// mode : collectie dames “els.mommaerts” prêt-à-porter , since 2011 // fashiondesigner “Kaat Tilley” Brussels (1993-2011) : design- assistant for women collections // opera ballet vlaanderen : kostuum supervisor Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, since 2018 // theatre, dance, opera :1997-2010 : costume designs & assistant : Opera Royal de Wallonie (Liège) : La Traviatta – Pol Pauwels : La familia, Othello – Rosas , Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker (Brussels): Repertoire evening , 20 years Rosas & Small Hands (out of the lie of no) & Rain &TG Stan, Rosas,Aka Moon (Brussels): In real time – Ultima Vez,Wim Vandekeybus (Brussels) : Scratching the Inner Fields & In as much as live is borrowed… & In spite of wishing and wanting – Troubleyn, Jan Fabre (Antwerp) : As long as the world needs a warrior’s soul & The fin comes a little bit earlier this siècle (but business as usual) – La cie Michèle Anne De Mey (Brussels) : La sacre en couleurs – Théatre Varia (Brussels): Nous,les héros (Philippe Sireuil) – Théatre de l’ancre (Mons) : Des couteaux dans les poules – Norrdans, Harnosand (Sweden): The space between – Alibi Collectief, Pat Van Hemelrijck (Brussels): Drie koningen in Patagonië & Los mansardinos // mother of Rosa, Jago and Omer // pers Bruzz 2013 (click) //
Koorstraat 32 rue du Choeur Molenbeek 1080 Belgium
Howlin’
Howlin’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
Conni Kaminski
Conni KaminskiInfo
BEHIND THE BRAND
CONNI KAMINSKI is an ethical and sustainable womenswear designerbrand
100% made in Belgium.
Refined asymmetry, beautiful drapés, deconstructed knitwear, unexpected material mix and upcycling, for a result both original and elegant. The clothes are made from mostly natural and high quality materials such as silk, cotton, linen, merino wool and baby alpaca wool.
Next to the onlineshop, there is the boutique followed by the atelier, located in the historic center of Brussels: come and say hi and discover our universe chic and décalé.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Designer of German origin, Conni Kaminski studied fashiondesign and tailoring in Hamburg.
In 2000, she settled permanently in Brussels, and in 2005, the Conni Kaminski brand was created.
In 2008, she opened her store in the historic center of Brussels, behind which you can see the place where the magic happens: her workshop.
ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE
While proximity to her customers is a fundamental thing for Conni Kaminski, proximity to her suppliers and manufacturers is no exception. The sourcing of raw materials from different European countries and the production « made in Belgium », including research for fabrics, her pieces are entirely made on the same continent. Far from large productions across the oceans, everything is done via a 100% European network for flawless regulation and visibility of production.
MATERIALS CHOSEN WITH CARE
Because every detail counts, Conni Kaminski always selects for her creations essentially natural and high quality materials, all from European producers, such as silk, cotton, linen, merino wool and baby alpaca yarns, offering to her customers beautiful clothes comfortable to wear.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Avoiding mass overproduction, Conni Kaminski’s clothes are created in limited series with a design both elegant and original. Refusing to get locked into far too ephemeral codes and trends, Conni Kaminski has her own universe. Thus, each of her pieces is a real added value to your wardrobe, as timeless as atypical. Always in the field of sustainability, her creations aim to support the clients in their everyday lives over the long term. Wearing Conni Kaminski is about asserting values and style, while remaining authentic.
HER WAY OF WORKING
For her creations, Conni Kaminski loves playing with the fabric. If her bust molding technique, often used by Japanese designers, honors many drapes, we can also find in her pieces a work of knitwear deconstruction, study of the material to transform it and even upcycle it into something chic and innovative.
We can find in her clothes an elegant asymmetry as well as many material contrasts, bringing all its originality and identity.
THE SHOP
Located in the historic center of Brussels, her shop is where it all happens. If the front door opens onto a beautiful store where you can admire, try and buy her creations, the back window offers us a view of her workshop, separated by an exterior courtyard full of greenery, where the collections are designed, the patterns are drew, the prototypes are created…, in short, a veritable abundance of ideas. It is also from the same place that each online order is sent, carefully packaged before departure.
Flagship store Marche au Charbon/Kolenmarkt, 102 Brussels 1000 Belgium