Marylène Madou » Fashion in Belgium

About

Brand responsibility and production

At Marylène Madou, we take pride in crafting our own exclusive printed fabrics, rather than relying on pre-existing materials. This commitment ensures that every Marylène Madou piece is truly unique, embodying originality and creativity. Our primary focus lies in collaborating with digital printers within Europe, who utilize eco-friendly inks. Digital printing not only reduces water pollution in the fashion industry but also allows for smaller production runs, minimizing waste and completely eliminating the risk of overproduction. Furthermore, we work with our manufacturing partners to recycle 100% of the minimal textile waste generated during production.
Marylène Madou is a Belgian fashion and textile designer renowned for her intricate, hand-drawn prints that blend cultural motifs with contemporary design. Since the brand’s establishment in early 2017, which is aptly named after the designer herself, Marylène has built a distinctive universe where print is always the starting point. Her work spans fashion, interiors, and fine art, all unified by a deep commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling.

Marylène holds a Master’s Degree in Textile Design from LUCA School of Arts in Ghent, Belgium. Her academic background provided a strong foundation in both technical and artistic aspects of textile creation, which she continues to build upon in her professional practice.

With an expertise in hand-painting techniques for textiles, and a strong focus on research, she carefully sources and interprets inspirational imagery, ensuring each design is layered with meaning and narrative. This dedication results in richly detailed prints that are unmistakably her own, making every Marylène Madou creation truly unique.

During her studies, she won the international fashion design contest The Silhouette of The Future / 2039, curated by the Fashion Museum of Hasselt. This led to international internships in Los Angeles and London.

In 2021, her growing archive of prints and patterns was published by Stockmans Art Books, a testament to the depth and originality of her work.

In 2023, she was named one of the ‘Limburg Six’ by Belgian press; a group of six emerging designers recognized as the future of fashion, in a nod to the iconic ‘Antwerp Six’.

Today, Marylène Madou’s printed designs are sold in luxury hotels, boutiques and art galleries.

She is sought after as an art director for her unique approach to building printed collections, firmly establishing her as one of the leading designers of her generation in the field of textile design.

 

 

Our sourcing predominantly spans Italy, the UK, and the Benelux region, which provide the high-quality materials and exceptional finishing that define our accessories. For our ready-to-wear collections, we collaborate with a local atelier in Belgium. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to supporting local craftsmanship while fostering a deep connection between design and production.

While 80% of our products are made in Europe, a small portion — only 20% — is produced overseas. This decision is made with great care and only when we can ensure that the resulting products uphold our commitment to durability and longevity. Our aim is to create pieces that are not just beautiful but also made to last, reflecting our ethos of quality and responsibility.

We intentionally avoid working with seasonal collections, as this approach aligns with our belief in sustainability. By designing timeless pieces that transcend trends, we reduce unnecessary waste and promote thoughtful consumption.

We believe a fully sustainable brand is difficult to achieve, but for every choice we make, from sourcing and manufacturing to design and collaboration, we make sure it is grounded in our commitment to safe and fair working conditions, as well as a dedication to exceptional craftsmanship.

We maintain close relationships with our manufacturers, visiting them regularly to ensure their practices align with our values. Marylène herself works directly with the talented seamstresses in Belgium for the custom atelier, ensuring meticulous attention to detail in every piece we create.

“It’s often a specific image that catches my eye—whether it’s an animal on a vase, a shape, or a color combination in a painting. My eclectic and colorful aesthetic is deeply inspired by a fascination with historic textiles and unique objects, such as vintage stuffed birds or design pieces. I love blending these influences with elements close to my heart, like private family gardens and Lemony, my dachshund. Color research and drawing play a pivotal role in my creative process. Prints, for me, are a way to build my own world and, ultimately, wear that world.” – Marylène

 

“The idea that I could combine my fascination for fashion & interiors with this never-ending love for drawing and creating … It was and still is the ultimate dream life to me.”