Tim Van Steenbergen
Tim Van Steenbergen
Info
About
Tim Van Steenbergen
Tim Van Steenbergen graduated Magna cum Laude at the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts (fashion department, textile creation and theatre costume). Subsequently he took classes in drapery and couture techniques and worked as assistant of Olivier Theyskens.
His first collection was launched in 2001 in Paris and in the same year he set up his company Mitzlavv bvba.
Meanwhile he’s up to his twenty third collection/fashion show and the label Tim Van Steenbergen is being sold in the best designer shops all over the world. His style evolves into a refined pureness and female elegance. He is a master of contemporary drapery and every detail, high quality standards, tradition and craftsmanship are being cared for.
Tim designs the costumes for international movie, theatre, dance and opera creations as for Anne Teresa de Keersmaecker, Guy Cassiers and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Between 2010 and 2013 Tim Van Steenbergen is creating the costumes for Richard Wagner’s opera cycle ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’, Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin.
Nowadays Tim Van Steenbergen is increasingly evolving into a creative lab.
Recent developments thereof are ‘Metronome’, a first light design for Delta Light, an interior fabrics collection in collaboration with Aristide and total interior concepts Tim Van Steenbergen with Boa Interior.
Philosophy
The challenge in my work is the search for authenticity and artisanship in fashion.
The difference between confection and prêt-à-porter or couture is to be found in how it is made.
Handwork, quality of fabric, building a piece layer by layer, differentiates my work from confection.
I’m in search of old values in a new world.
The motivation in my work is to transfer craftsmanship and the old values into different and modern designs.
Due to my belief in artisanship, every garment is created by hand on the dummy to develop its characteristic shape.
These traditional construction process and unique draping techniques guarantee a high appreciated quality and an exclusive collection.
Studio Tim Van Steenbergen
The studio of Tim Van Steenbergen is located in a 19th century mansion close to the historical site of the Antwerp military hospital. An eclectic interior were fashion meets art, historical elements are confronted with design and vintage furniture.
The studio Tim Van Steenbergen is the optimal place to realize his ideas, situated in the pocketsize metropolis Antwerp. This refreshing cosmopolitan owes its reputation to the mighty part, the world diamond centre and its trendsetting vision of fashion.
This welcoming multicultural city-on-the-river the Scheld, is an intelligent, complex, fascinating and surprising habitat with a magnificent contemporary architecture, opera and theatre, monuments and artworks as well as its historical medieval centre.
The home of the Flemish Baroque master Rubens.
The Red Star line company set off its ships on the transatlantic voyage with millions of emigrants who set out for a new life in the States and Canada.
Nowadays Antwerp is one of the fastest growing cultural cruise destinations in Europe.
“Due to its excellent acces, it pushes you to travel the world looking for new impressions and personal experiences.”
“After all it is an attractive place to come home from where you can work independently and with an open minded view on the rest of the world.”
Creations
- ‘Hanjo’, opera, Festival Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence / the Monnaie Brussels
- ‘Hersenschimmen’, theater , Ro Theater Rotterdam
- ‘d’Un Soir un Jour’ and ‘Steve Reich Evening’, dance, Rosas / the Monnaie Brussels
- ‘Triptych of Power; ‘Mefisto’, ‘Wolfskers’ and ‘Atropa’, theater, Toneelhuis Antwerp / Festival d’Avignon / Théâtre de la Ville de Paris
- ‘The House of the Sleeping Beauties’, opera, LOD / Toneelhuis Antwerp / the Monnaie Brussels
- ‘Adam in Exile’, opera, Opera of Amsterdam
- ‘La Chanteuse du Tango’, movie by Diego Martinez Vignatti with Eugénia Ramirez.
- ‘Prélude à la Mer’, movie, Rosas / Thierry De Mey
- ‘Das Rheingold’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Blood & Roses, the Song of Joan and Gilles’, theatre , Toneelhuis Antwerp / Festival d’Avignon
- ‘Die Walküre’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Labyrinth’, dance, National Ballet Amsterdam, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
- ‘Siegfried’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Götterdämmerung’, Teatro alla Scala / Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- ‘Milonga’, dance, Sadlers Wells, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
- ‘MCBTH’, theater, Toneelhuis / Spectra Ensemble / Vocaallab
- ‘Romeo & Julia’, ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders
- ‘Hamlet’, theater, Toneelhuis / Toneelgroep Amsterdam
- ‘Het vertrek van de Mier’, theater, Toneelhuis / Het Paleis / Kunstz
- ‘Firebird’, ballet, Stuttgarter Ballett
- ‘Passions Humaines’, theater, costumes and set, Toneelhuis / Mons Culturele Hoofdstad
- ‘Xerse’, costumes and set, Opéra De Lille
- ‘Caligula’, costumes and set, Toneelhuis
- ‘De welwillenden’, costumes and set, Toneelhuis / Toneelgroep Amsterdam
- ‘Pictures at an exhibition’, ballet, costumes and set, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Sidi Larbi Charkaoui
- ‘Ma mère l’oye’, ballet, costumes and set, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Jeroen Verbruggen
- ‘Trompe la mort’, opera, costumes and set, Opéra national de Paris
- ‘Grensgeval’, theatre, costumes and set, Toneelhuis
- ‘Movement in Blue’ & ‘Movement in White’, Tim Van Steenbergen X Ashtari Carpets
- ‘Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh’, costumes, Toneelhuis
- ‘Vergeef ons’, costumes, Toneelhuis / Toneelgroep Amsterdam
marialei 18 Antwerpen 2018 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
Suit Solutions
Suit SolutionsInfo
Are you looking for an experienced tailor? Emin has had his sewing workshop for more than 20 years now. In the beginning, the focus was mainly on retouching for renowned boutiques in and outside Antwerp, and tailor-made clothing.
The tailor Emin Aliyev designs – together with you – your tailor-made clothing. He guides you – step by step – in choosing the fabric, the cut, the lining, the buttons, and other finishes …
Need an experienced tailor?
SuitSolutions has its own workshop for customization, repairs and retouching of all kinds of clothing
Our tailoring services
Have clothing made to measure (retouches)
In recent years, there has also been an increasing demand for a tailor with an eye for the right fit – whether it is to update existing garments or to have newly purchased designer clothes perfectly adapted (retouches) – or to tailor clothing.
Full Tailored Clothing
SuitSolutions also offers the contemporary stylish man tailor-made solutions at very competitive prices. The suits, vests and overcoats are made according to traditional craft methods with sustainable quality fabrics such as vital Barberis, Ariston, Holland & Sherry, Scabal, etc…
Clothing repairs
We all know it, your most beautiful jacket, pants or skirt has a tear, the zipper is broken. It would be a shame to just throw away your expensive clothes and let alone favorite clothes while you can still wear them. That is why we also repair your garments so that you can wear them for a few more years!
How does a tailor work?
Step 1: Make an appointment
To ensure that we can take your measurements in peace, we recommend that you make an appointment in advance. Together with you we look at an ideal moment during or after office hours when it suits you!
Step 2: Take measurements
A perfect fit is crucial for tailoring. The tailor will take your measurements, so he can determine the perfect fit of your garment.
Step 3: Choice of fabrics & accessories
After measuring your measurements, we will discuss the possible fabrics, the color of the lining and all the options with you. The tailor will give you professional advice on all possible finishes.
Step 4: Delivery of Creation
Depending on the complexity, your tailor-made suit, jacket, shirt, trousers or other multi-piece creation will be ready after a few weeks. The tailor checks with you whether everything feels comfortable.
Real craft: more than just designing tailor-made clothing
The profession of a tailor mainly consists of making tailor-made clothes. The craft is thousands of years old and dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. This concerns different types of clothing such as trousers, skirts, jackets, shirts, jackets, but also suits.
A good tailor not only makes new clothes, but also repairs or adjusts clothes according to body measurements. For example, it is about repairing a zipper or taking a pair of pants or vest. That is why we also speak of a tailor, tailor or costume designer!
All the qualities of a good tailor
Is a perfectionist – he works very precisely to offer the customer a garment that fits exactly and is beautifully finished
Is accurate – not only by delivering work that is in line with customer expectations but also the finishing of the creation
Punctual – this by having the garments ready on time on an agreed date so that you can wear it for the occasion
Energetic, customer-oriented, creative – are of course also important qualities or competencies of a good tailor.
Experienced tailor with own studio in Belgium
Are you looking for an experienced tailor in Belgium? SuitSolutions has its tailor shop in the center of Antwerp. Our customers come from East Flanders, West Flanders, Brussels, Flemish Brabant and also the Netherlands for our expertise in tailor-made clothing.
Make an appointment or visit our clothing store where we will be happy to show you the various options for both women’s and men’s clothing, retouches, repairs.
OPENING HOURS
AFTER APPOINTMENT 18.00 – 20.30
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Wednesday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Thursday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Friday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00
Saturday 10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 16.30
Closed on Sundays
Frankrijklei 76 Bus 1 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Jan-Jan van Essche
Jan-Jan van EsscheInfo
AS FOR MANY OTHERS, THE HUMAN COLLECTIVE CULTURE REMAINS AN ENDLESS INSPIRATION FOR JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE TO CREATE NEW GARMENTS, EACH NEW DESIGN A GENUINE ATTEMPT TO OPEN UP NEW PERSPECTIVES AND TO PUSH CONFLICTING DIALOGUES FORWARD.
WITH EVERY SERIES OF GARMENTS, TRADITIONAL PATTERNS FROM DIFFERENT ETHNO-CULTURAL ORIGINS ARE CAUTIOUSLY STUDIED AND SUBSEQUENTLY INTERPRETED IN THE DESIGNER’S INDIVIDUAL PATTERN LANGUAGE; ONE SPEAKING THE POETRY OF SIMPLICITY.
JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE MOSTLY OPTS TO REMOVE ALL POSSIBLE SEAMS AND MINIMALIZING DETAILS AND CULTURAL CONNOTATION, WHILE MAXIMIZING COMFORT FOR THE WEARER AND THEREFORE PROPOSING AN EXPERIENCE THAT WORKS FROM THE WITHIN.
UNLIKE CLASSIC WESTERN APPROACH TO CONFINE AND SHAPE THE BODY, JAN-JAN PROVIDES THE BODY THE LUXURY AND FREEDOM TO SHAPE THE GARMENT.
HIS SINCERE AND DISCRETE DESIGNS ARE EXECUTED IN CAREFULLY SOURCED, REFINED QUALITY FABRICS OF NATURAL FIBERS, ALL CONTRIBUTING ELEMENTS INDUCING ONES AWARENESS AND STATE OF MIND.
CONTRIBUTING TO THIS STORY OF MINIMIZING ANECDOTIC CONNOTATIONS SOME FABRICS REMAIN UN-DYED OR EVEN LOOM STATE, THE COLOURS ARE RATHER TO THE MUTED PALETTE AND THE BLACK COLOUR WITH ITS ENDLESS SHADES IS ALWAYS PRESENT TO RIGOROUSLY ACCENTUATE THE SILHOUETTES.
JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE CONTINUOUSLY AIMS TO DEVELOP NEW INSIGHTS ON CONTEMPORARY YET EFFORTLESS AND GENDERLESS ELEGANCE.
HIS PIECES ARE LAYERED WITH SUBTLETY, INTEGRATED INTO MODERN-DAY CITY LIFE AND INTO PERSONAL WARDROBES, SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY PLAYING THEIR HUMBLE ROLE IN FINDING CONNECTION AND ACCEPTANCE.
THEY SEE NO BOUNDARIES, NO LIMITATIONS, NO RESTRICTIONS NO EXCLUSIONS.
THE CONVENTIONAL SILHOUETTE IS AMPLIFIED AND EACH INDIVIDUAL GARMENT LITERALLY LEAVES ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION, ENGENDERING OPENNESS.
THE WEARER OF JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE IS A GENTLE SOUL IN CONSTANT DIALOGUE WITH ONE’S PERSONAL CONTEXT AS WELL AS WITH THE WORLD AS A WHOLE.
LIKE THE GARMENTS THE WEARER IS HUMBLE AND IS UNRESTRAINED.
JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE IS BORN IN ANTWERP, BELGIUM, WHERE HE HAS HIS DESIGN STUDIO. HE’S A 2003 GRADUATE OF THE ANTWERP ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS.
IN JUNE 2010 JAN-JAN VAN ESSCHE LAUNCHED HIS FIRST EPONYMOUS LABEL AS AN ANNUAL WARDROBE. COLLECTION#1 – ‘YUKKURI’, JAPANESE FOR ‘TAKE IT EASY’ OR ‘SLOWLY’.
THIS TITLE ALSO BECAME HIS INTRINSIC AND CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO CONTEMPORARY WARDROBES AS A DESIGNER.
- COLLECTION#2 – SATTA AMASSAGANA (JUNE 2011)
- COLLECTION#3 – IN AWE (JUNE 2012)
- COLLECTION#4 — UHURU SASA (JUNE 2013)
- COLLECTION#5 — INITE (JUNE 2014)
- COLLECTION#6 — NO MAN IS AN ISLAND (JUNE 2015)
- COLLECTION#7 — AWARE (JUNE 2016)
- COLLECTION#8 — 無 (MU) (JUNE 2017)
- COLLECTION#9 — ONE IN ALL AND ALL IN ONE (JUNE 2018)
- COLLECTION#10 — CODA (JUNE 2019)
- COLLECTION#11 — GRACE (JULY 2020)
- COLLECTION#12 — CYCLE (JUNE 2021)
THE ANNUAL WARDROBES RECEIVED A COUNTERPART IN 2013 WHEN, DUE TO THE WELL RECEIVED PREVIOUS COLLECTIONS, THE DESIGNER DECIDED TO ADD THE PROJECTS, AUTONOMOUS SERIES OF GARMENTS DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO SPECIFIC CRAFTS OR INSPIRATIONS, TAKING THE NECESSARY TIME TO CULTIVATE IDEAS AND UNDERGOING THE SLOW RHYTHM AND PACE OF THE HAND.
THE CREATIVE FREEDOM IS PRESERVED AND IDEAS ARE ENABLED TO FLOURISH.
- PROJECT#1 – PROCEED (JANUARY 2013) — RESEARCH ON PATCHWORK
- PROJECT#2 — REDEEM (JANUARY 2014) &MASH; RESEARCH ON SAKIORI WEAVING
- PROJECT#3 — WADADA (JANUARY 2015) — RESEARCH ON ROPE WEAVING
- PROJECT#4 — EACH ONE TEACH ONE (JANUARY 2016) — RESEARCH ON BORO APPLICATIONS
- PROJECT#5 — ARISE (JANUARY 2017) — PATTERN RESEARCH INSPIRED BY THE KESA GARMENT
- PROJECT#6 — ONE STONE (JANUARY 2018) — PATTERN RESEARCH INSPIRED BY THE AINU KIMONO
- PROJECT#7 — SOLACE (JANUARY 2019) — EMPHASIS ON USE OF FABRICS
- PROJECT#8 — REMEMBRANCE (JANUARY 2020) — RESEARCH ON PADDED GARMENTS & SAKIORI WEAVING
- PROJECT#9 — SUNU (FEBRUARY 2021) — RESEARCH ON PADDED GARMENTS & HAND WOVEN GARMENTS
WADADA BVBA NACHTEGAALSTRAAT 27 ANTWERPEN 2060 BELGIUM
Stephan Schneider
Stephan SchneiderReynderstraat 53 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Anja Schwerbrock
Anja SchwerbrockInfo
Anja Schwerbrock is the owner and creative director of the Anja Schwerbrock brands, based in Antwerp.
The German-born designer grew up with classical dance and was surrounded by the world of backstage and theater and later studied tailoring at Escada, Fashion design and Pattern maker in Hamburg. Travelling and working in Japan and with a background of working experience at Comme des Garcons and Dries van Noten, in 2005 Anja Schwerbrock moved to Antwerp and started her own brand. She is presenting her collection during Paris Fashion Week.
Mother of two sons, Anja Schwerbrock showed her first baby and kids collection in 2012. Treehouse by Anja Schwerbrock shows the relationship between her Women’s and Kids collections, which share the same creative inspiration, cuts and materials. Being creative as a fashion designer, Anja Schwerbrock is on the constant search of wearable expressions filled with freedom and individuality. Inspired by the world of ballet, circus and art adapted in her own unusual, non conform way. Anja Schwerbrock’s fashion is transferring fantasy into a self-confident reality, expressing a charming magic, set in contrast to metropolitan life. Her style always emanates rough and defined underlined by her exclusive use of natural high quality materials. Anja Schwerbrock’s spontaneous, communicative and passionate nature flows into her style, rounding the lightness, pleasant wearing comfort and relaxed expression of her designs.
Anja Schwerbrock is also doing interior designs and corporate identities for various projects and a ceramic collection.
Kloosterstraat 175 Antwerpen 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
Dries Van Noten
Dries Van NotenInfo
Biography
Born in Antwerp in 1958, Dries Van Noten is the third generation in a family of tailors. At the age of 18, Dries entered the fashion design course of Antwerp’s Royal Academy. On graduating, he began to freelance as a consultant designer before starting his own collection of menswear in 1986. Since its beginnings Dries Van Noten has presented collections for women and men for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter each year. He
celebrated his 50th fashion show in 2004 and 100th fashion show in 2017.
In June 2008, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honoured Dries Van Noten with its International
Designer of the Year Award. 2014 began with the grand opening of Dries Van Noten, “Inspirations”, a first
ever exhibition featuring his designs and influences at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Another
configuration of the exhibit moved to Antwerp in 2015. In July France decorated Dries Van Noten with the
honour of ‘Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.’ In October 2016, Dries Van Noten wins the Culture
Award from The Province of Antwerp for his contribution to Culture.
In June 2018 Puig entered the capital structure of Dries Van Noten as majority owner. The designer remains, over the long term, a significant minority shareholder and continues his role as chief creative officer and chairman of the board.
2019 saw Mr Van Noten collaborate with world renowned fashion designer Mr Christian Lacroix on his
collection for Women, Spring/Summer 2020. In June 2020, and September 2021, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has again nominated Dries Van Noten for its International Designer of the Year Award.
Q&A with dries van noten
When did you know that designing clothes was your path & passion?
There was a certain logic to my choice as my family had been involved in fashion and the garment business for generations. My father created one of Belgium’s most innovative retailers of ‘Pret-a-Porter’ and my grandfather was a tailor. I inherited my love of garment making, its traditions and rituals, from these men and my mother. Family immersed me in the craft and skill of fabrics, impassioned me with the power of flair and style for women and men that fired my quest to explore and question the subjectivity of “beauty” and the role it would play in my life. My family was very supportive and encouraged me to continue its fashion tradition. I regularly accompanied my parents to Paris and Milan on their many buying trips for collections. Though they had imagined I might take over the retail business, that I was passionate to become a fashion designer came as a great surprise to them.
What is your design signature?
I see a garment as a singular item of excellence that is part of a larger story told, firstly, within a designer’s vision for a collection and ultimately as part of the final wearer’s expression of their style through their wardrobe. My joy is to create a garment that fuses and balances beauty, craft and function, a garment that can perform well and continue in time to become part of life’s story. I enjoy juggling with colours, textures and light in a way that evokes rather than provokes.
Where do you come up with your best ideas?
The spark of inspiration for the narrative a collection rarely ever comes in the same way. The initial idea can sometimes come quickly and remain constant throughout the design process… occur on a walk in my garden, encountering a painting or the life and work of an artist. It can be something rarefied or ordinary, for example, suddenly looking at something that has surrounded me every day and seeing it in a different way that inspires. It can be a photograph in a book or a magazine, a re-read passage in a loved book, a conversation with friends or my design team or a piece of music. For other collections the story is more of a journey, deliberate, considered, and evolves through time and the design process. Anything can be that spark that ignites the creative process. What I have learned is that one recognises the spark when it happens, it may not be too planned, be ‘of its time’ and is more emotional than cerebral.
Is there a difference between style and fashion?
Of course, style comes from within..
What colour or fabric would you never use?
None actually! Often, challenging myself to work with colours, fabrics, or forms that I have disliked and bringing them into a collection can be an important aspect of the creative process.
What is beauty?
The idea of beauty is supremely subjective and very personal. Time also plays a role when our view on what is beautiful to us evolves. A flower, a building or a garment can be a thing of wonder for one while leaving another completely indifferent. What was beautiful to us even recently may be ugly today. Luckily, all designers have their own eye on and language of beauty.
What is ugliness?
It resonates in the same way as beauty for me. It is exciting when the formerly ugly becomes beautiful.
Timeline
- 1981 Dries Van Noten graduates from Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp
- 1986 Dries Van Noten started his first own collection of menswear after working as a freelance consultant designer
- 1989 Flagship store opens in Antwerp, Belgium
- 2004 50th Show
- 2007 Paris store opens at Quai Malaquais, Paris France
- 2008 Dries Van Noten wins Internation Designer of the year at CFDA awards./ Dries Van Noten Sacred “Royal Designer for Industry” from the RSA Trustee Board in London
- 2009 Flagship store opens in Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan/ Stores opens for the men at Quai Malaquais, Paris, France
Dries Van Noten Induction to The “Galerie Des Eminents” By The Flemish Chamber Of Commerce (Voka)
Dries van Noten is gifted a gold medal by The Flemish Royal Academy of Belgium
Dries Van Noten Is Honored With the “Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion” By the Couture Council of the Museum at Fit In New York - 2010 Dries Van Noten Is Invited To Preside Over the 25th Edition of the “Festival International De Mode et De Photographie” of Hyres, France
- 2013 Olfactory portrait by Frederic Malle with The Nose Bruno Jonanovic
- 2014 xhibition at The Musée Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France
A book that accompanied his exhibition at Musée des arts Décoratifs in Paris, France - 2015 Dries Van Noten is decorated by Jack Lang of the medal
Opening of Dries Van Noten Osaka - 2016 Wins Culture Award from The Province of Antwerp
- 2017 An intimate portrait into the life, mind and creative heart the designer
A book in two volumes that depicts and documents his first 100 collection and Fashion shows
In recognition of his career as fashion designer and his contribution to the Cultural life of his native land - 2018 DVN enters in partnership with Puig as Major Stakeholders
- 2019 Collaboration with Mr Christian Lacroix
- 2020 Nominated by The CFDA for International Designer of The Year Award
Stores opens in Shanghai, China
Flagship stores opens in Los Angeles, USA the first Dries Van Noten store in the Unites States of America
Godefriduskaai 36 Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Souâd Feriani
Souâd FerianiInfo
Souâd Feriani was born in Genk, Belgium on 30 June 1970. As a child, she fell in love with the shirts in her father’s wardrobe and never got over this love for men’s shirts.
Studying at the fashion department of the Royal Academy for Fine Arts in Antwerp was an eye-opening experience.
She met her soul mates who encouraged and stimulated her to expand her horizons. She graduated in June 1994.
For a number of years she was Head Designer for various well-known Belgian fashion houses.
On 1 December 2014 her shirt collection was officially launched and hit the shops.
Her signature shirts are very comfortable and made of the finest elastic shirt materials.
You can wear them both for work or on special occasions, with the accessories making the difference.
These shirts and shirt dresses are timeless.
On August 2, 2018 the first store “Souâd Feriani – The Boutique” opened in Hasselt, Belgium.
The collection is now even larger but still with the same focus.
The shirts and shirt dresses come in a dark-blue luxurious ‘Souâd Feriani’ box.
“I simply try to confirm the beauty that is already in the woman and the man.”
“I want to share my great love for the colour blue, for shirts and for women with my customers.”
“My goal? To make women beautiful !”
Leopoldstraat 51A Antwerpen 2000 Belgium
Dokter Willemsstraat 13 Hasselt 3500 Belgium
Info
Aymara is the result of the love story between a Belgian engineer, Sven Van Gucht, who met Yannina Esquivias, a young Peruvian travel agent, during a sabbatical year and fell in love. Yannina and Sven quit their jobs and started a knitting factory in Peru together with Yannina’s family. In 2007, the knitwear label Aymara was born. The name Aymara refers to a native ethnic group in the Andes of South America.
Concept
The magic of Aymara lies in the combination of Belgian design and Peru’s extraordinary fibers and textile craftmenship. Aymara’s knitwear is produced in our own knitting factory in Arequipa, in the south of Peru, managed by Yannina’s family. Thank’s to our strong relationship with them and their unconditional commitment, this incredible intercontinental project could be achieved. We believe that in today’s world of fast fashion and mass consumption, people are looking for authentic products with a soul. When buying Aymara, you are sure to get longlasting, sustainable products with an extraordinary story.
Design
Excellent natural fibers play a key role and are the starting point of each Aymara design. This is why Aymara chooses to offer pure styles available in a wide colour palette of bright and soft colours. Our designers take into account the fashion trends but at the same time, we make sure that each Aymara product is timeless and longlasting. A lot of attention has been paid for the perfect fitting form and discrete refined details. The kids collection, designed by Yannina has a playful character whereas the women’s collection, designed by Saskia Van Herzeele is very feminine.
Fiber
Peru manufactures some of the world’s finest quality fibers. For our summer collections, Aymara uses Peruvian pima cotton which is considered to be one of the softest and finest cottons in existence. In winter, garments made of precious alpaca blends are always an important part of our collection. Alpaca is a cousin of the llama and is prized for it’s thermal properties, silkiness and durability. Alpaca is a fiber which does not come at the expense of the environment. In today’s world, dominated by artificial materials, alpaca is the natural option. Alpacas graze at elevations of 3500 to 5000 meters in the Peruvian Andes. This precious fibre is used by top designers world wide. Aymara only uses the finest alpaca fibers, called baby alpaca. In our winter collections we also offer garments made of fine merino wool from Argentina.
Production
Aymara’s knitting plant is fully integrated and employs about 60 persons on the pay roll. This assures us to be in complete control of the production process and the quality of the garments. Although the knitting process itself has been industrialized, the production process is labour intensive and still requires a lot of manual operations. A lot of attention is been paid to the linking and finishing processes. Aymara garments are fully fashioned ; this means that the cutting and overlocking process is avoided as much as possible. By doing so, Aymara’s customers are getting a high quality product with one of the finest linking and finishing standards on the market. Turn your Aymara garment inside out and you will see what we mean !
Although most of the collection is produced on industrial knitting machines, each winter season Aymara offers a small theme of hand knit accessories. This enables women to generate an income by hand knitting at their home while taking care of their children. For a lot of these women it would be impossible to work inside a company because of their family situation and the lack of childcare. You can recognize these products by the “Aymara hand knit” hang tag. We are currently investigating how this could be integrated into a wider social project.
Head office & International Sales Aymara bvba Bornem 2880 Belgium
Showroom Aymara Antwerp Kielsevest 70 Antwerpen 2018 Belgium