WALLONIA-BRUSSELS DESIGN FASHIONCREATIVE MINDS IN BELGIUM

THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF BELGIAN FASHION AND DESIGN

WWW.WBDM.BE

TWO FINANCIAL PRIZES AWARDED EVERY YEAR

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VISIBILITY ABROADMILAN FASHION WEEKWHITE

As it continues to offer its support and its expertise to designers and brands based in Brussels and in Wallonia, Wallonie-Bruxelles Design Mode (WBDM) is approaching 2017 with a new fashion programme which focuses on talents and companies that are keen to speed up their commercial development and improve their brand image.

In October 2016, a panel of international experts met in Brussels with the WBDM team in order to award two prizes which translate into financial assistance. The first grant, worth €35,000 was awarded to the FILLES A PAPA brand in order to help it to develop its foreign communication. This huge Made in Liège success demonstrates that young designers can find a balance between business and creativity, combining a keen sense of image with a real commercial consideration, ensuring sales growth and a global reputation.

The second grant of €15,000 was awarded to BONJOUR MAURICE whose 100% Belgian collections are aimed at both babies and children. This choice also marks a broadening of the WBDM selection criteria, which is no longer limited to women’s collections and accessory ranges. The important thing is that a brand already has a strong identity and that it can have a relevant structure and a completed business plan.

Six designers will benefit from assistance in 2017 allowing them to work with the specialist consultants recruited by WBDM:

BONJOUR MAURICE Children’sGIOIA SEGHERS Women’s ready-to-wearJEAN-PAUL LESPAGNARD Women’s ready-to-wearMOUTTON COLLET JewelleryMYELZA AccessoriesPASSERIN Accessories

This assistance will help them to be better prepared for international markets, whether in terms of strategy, commercial positioning, communication or image. The brands and designers selected will also undergo an audit of their export requirements and maturity, conducted by WBDM. This personalised support is one of the key points of this new fashion programme.

The Showroom Les Belges collective stand will once again be present at the next WHITE trade show in Milan, a very popular event for buyers and the press during Milan Fashion Week. From 25 to 27 February 2017, five designers will represent Belgium at this trade show which attracts both Italians and international visitors:

42|54 Women’s sports clothingANNEMIE VERBEKE Women’s ready-to-wearCLIO GOLDBRENNER AccessoriesLÉO Women’s ready-to-wearMOUTTON COLLET Jewellery

To present fashion and design on the international market. This is the objective of Wallonie-Bruxelles Design Mode (WBDM). This organisation was developed in 2006 and tasked with supporting, promoting and advising companies, stylists and designers who want to export their creations.

In order to showcase the work of Walloon and Brussels labels and designers, the WBDM team brings together Belgian talent around international events such as the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Maison & Objet and the Paris and Milan fashion weeks. WBDM also works in association with many experts, creating gateways between the worlds of industry and design.

The agency offers specific services in terms of export support for the targeted industries. Innovation, reliability and long-term stability are key virtues advocated by WBDM.

WBDMGiorgia Morerogiorgia.morero@wbdm.beM +32 (0)473 54 29 86T +32 (0)2 421 87 08

PRESSDominique Lefèbvred.lefebvre@wbi.beM +32 (0)477 40 05 37

WBDMWallonie-Bruxelles Design ModePlace Sainctelette, 2B-1080 BruxellesBelgiqueTél. : +32 2 421 84 42info@wbdm.bewww.wbdm.be

WBDM Graphic Design 2015 – 2017 : Kidnap Your Designer

CONTACTS

WWW.4254SPORT.COM

With its third collection the Belgian based company 42l54 continues redefining what sportswear is supposed to look like. From the reworking of the traditional hoodie to the reinpretation of the Japanese kimono, every piece stands strong on it’s own.

The ultra-chic body’s, unseen in the world of sportswear, are provocative and subversive at the same time.By adding beautiful and strategically placed details on the t-shirts, it becomes abundantly clear that the simplest designs in this repertoire are no less important.

There is absolutely nothing basic about Collection 3. With a mix of performance-focused and natural fabrics, 42l54 has created a fashion-forward range that translates very easy from pure workout gear to pret-a-porter with a nineties twist.

Think seamless tops, intricately knitted patterns on the calfs of the leggings and high waistbands knitted to an immaculate fit. Wheter it is with the design, the use of materials or the branding, 42l54 can be considered part of a growing trend

of interesting fashionpartners as it seeks to collaborate with passionate local people in order to incoporate unlikely materials and techniques in their pieces. Collection 3 shows that we’ve come a long way from butterfly shorts and fleece sweaters.

MILAN FASHION WEEK WHITE

“ 42 l 54 is a continuous homage to athletics, designed to excel at life ”

AW 2017–18 © 42|54

WWW.ANNEMIEVERBEKE.BE

AW 17 – 18* ‘True to myself’** The last song

This winter collection is dedicated to the American poet Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) and to Meredith Monk (1942) who is a composer, singer, dancer and performer .

The love of Sylvia for the sublimation of daily life and also her attraction for both colours: red and blue. Her passion for British culture, taste, tradition and the Cambridge college atmosphere where she studied, in London during the fifties.

The love of Meredith for her sober, strong and very personal relation to space, and an unpredictable, passionate engagement towards experimental, avant-garde music in New York and worldwide. Both have an influential power on this collection, which can be both lyrical, for Sylvia and more minimal for Meredith.

Shimmering shadowed knitwear in fine baby alpaca, soft and hairy, or slubbed alpaca hand knit, and fine merino knitwear with full of original details and smart placed colours.Strongly belted dresses with narrow waist and wide skirts underline the fifties memory.

The luxury is hidden in the beautiful materials in Scottish checks: brushed mohair, soie sauvage, or smooth and sober dark wool drap. Or the print is micro and minimal, or it is lyrical in Habutai silk in an almost abstract poppy print.

The aim of this collection remains on timelessness and enigmatic sensibility.

* Sylvia Plath: ARIEL poems – The BELL JAR – Letters home.** Meredith Monk: The last song – Stringsongs – Walking song

SS 2017 © Tine ClaerhoutMILAN FASHION WEEK WHITE

WWW.BONJOURMAURICE.BE

First fully reversible kids’ clothing brand.

Imagine if all your kids’ clothes were reversible! When shopping you would no longer hesitate between the grey sweatshirt or the green one, you would save so much space in your kids’ wardrobe, you would multiply their looks, and your loved ones would no longer wear their t-shirts inside out!

Choose ( ? )

Eco-friendly and reversible clothing Let your kids choose the way they wear their outfits! It is important for them to make up their own minds to encourage independence and promote self-esteem.

Grow up ( … )

In evolving clothing easy to slip on and off Your loved ones insist on doing things by themselves? What a delight! It’s by learning to cope on his own that your child will grow up!So, the garments are easy to slip on and off, and never inside out!

Be happy ( ! )

Wearable in all occasions, and forget about stains Your child has stained his garment and has no desire to continue playing? No problem, turn his sweatshirt inside out and he’ll be happy! Thanks to the simple cuts and the stylish design, your kid feels confident in his clothes in all situations.

FINANCIALPRIZE

Oskar © Bonjour Maurice

€ 15,000

PERSONALISED COACHING

WWW.CLIOGOLDBRENNER.COM

A theatrical universe, veiled in a velvet cloak of burgundy red, is one of the leading images Clio Goldbrenner depicts in this fall’s campaign. With a play on contrasts of texture and color, the collection explores a more sensual, glam rock yet retro atmosphere. The leathers are glossy, woven, printed with patterns and there is definitely some strap work included.

The best-selling models are shown off: whereas the Achilles sneakers take the upper hand, the Paris handbag plays with the brand’s esthetic code. Feminine with a nod to Belgian confidence is demonstrated through bold colors like red, night green, ocean blue, metal, fuchsia and materials such as velvet, varnish, shearling, croc and python effects. Are you ready for the spotlight?

© Clio Goldbrenner

MILAN FASHION WEEK WHITE

WWW.FILLESAPAPA.COM

SS 2017© Filles a PapaFINANCIALPRIZE€ 35,000

AW17

A collection that improves on obsessional items and celebrates the uniform. This season’s keyword is “new tailoring”, inspired and revisited through different cultures including that of the night and night shops. Each item is counterbalanced by the clash of worlds and the union of opposing messages; between symbolic tracksuit and denim attitudes, the basics are redefined, a bright fuchsia acidifies the collection … in a total look wardrobe affirmed and embodied by this girl with many faces who embraces the modern world. 

“From Belgium with love, FILLES A PAPA is the new definition of the new sexy grunge cool.

A relative new comer in the world of fashion, the cult label has its roots in Liège, Belgium, and was launched in 2012 by sisters Carol and Sarah Piron. The duo were soon joined by fashion photographer Gregory Derkenne who, in addition to offering his impeccable eye for aesthetics, honed the label’s ethos.It is not an easy task defining the signature style of Filles A Papa, for that the label has, during the few years since its birth into the fashion industry, offered a range of collections that are vastly different in style, but equally rebellious and eye catching.

Appropriately named (Filles A Papa literally means ‘Daddy’s Girls’), the label’s distinctive but daring designs are not every heiress’ cup of tea, thanks to the unmissable offbeat mood and an attitude that is alluringly glamorous, but not without a hint of aggression.” *

*Text by Angela Lei, Forbes Contributor

WWW.GIOIASEGHERS.COM

Inspired by transient feelings and fleeting sensations, Gioia Seghers crafts intelligent clothes, which are tactile and seductive, underlining her intuitive and spontaneous approach. Using natural fibers each season — which she sources primarily in Italy — Seghers elaborates unique narratives around her fabrics, which fuse abstraction with reality.

Graphic and modern, her silhouette is also comfortable and colorful. Asian minimalism and European sharpness both inform her work, while her ongoing focus on perfecting the ultimate wardrobe encourages us to hone her signature shapes. Seghers’ style is a study in contradictions, hovering between sensual femininity and sharper structure. Masculine codes are balanced with subtle details and finishings, while fabric combinations, eyelets and transformative shapes are some of her beloved trademarks.

While her vision of fashion is personal and intense, Gioia Seghers is also generous, empowering women to give them confidence. Strongly influenced by her grandmother’s elegance — whose Italian roots and poise impressed her as a child — Seghers infuses her clothes with a deep sense of respect, beauty and craftsmanship.

Summer 2017 © Gioia SeghersPERSONALISED COACHING

WWW.JEANPAULLESPAGNARD.COM

Though he may be of Belgian birth, it would be a mistake to confine him to one country. Since his victory in Hyères in 2008, Jean-Paul Lespagnard has engaged in an ever-greater number of projects and collaborations, with meticulousness, vision, and a sense of the unorthodox that have always led him where he wanted to go.

For 8 years, Jean-Paul Lespagnard — with his uncommon, engaging and relentless personality — has designed costumes for renowned choreographers such as Meg Stuart, Gilles Jobin, Damien Jalet, and Boris Charmatz. He has also restyled cult items (among them Eastpack’s backpack — a brand

Damien Jalet Project with the Sadler’s Wells theatre in London

Europalia Indonesia in Brussels

Boris Charmatz Project for the opening of the new Volksbhuene in Berlin

Costume and lace Museum (Brussels) Personal exhibition (opening October2017)

near and dear to his heart since his teenage years — and the creations of Galler Chocolatier, which has extended its partnership with him for another year and for whom the designer will create a new concept for Easter 2017), and collaborated with both Mexican prisoners and patients in mental health facilities to create accessories. Last year, he took part in cultural events at Mons 2015, hosted arts and crafts workshops that brought together 140 children inside the Palais de Tokyo, and collaborated with Jaguar during Paris Fashion Week.

Jean-Paul Lespagnard prefers to proceed at his own pace, taking on projects that really do entice him: “ I am offered a lot of partnerships that you will never hear me talk about, because they just aren’t for me. I choose my projects according to my desires, my instincts, and the people I meet, simply because the human side of things lies at the heart of my approach. ”

NEW PROJECTS

© Laetitia BicaPERSONALISED COACHING

WWW.LEOBYLEO.COM

AW 17-18

Inspired by the atmosphere and color use in Luc Besson’s movie ‘Subway’ (1985), Léo’s new collection is fresh, rich and unexpected.

Embracing the vibe of a woman that dresses not only in one particular style and loves to be on the move, AW 17/18 explores the clash between highly luxurious garments and easy going cozy wear even more than before, with elongated silhouettes that celebrate an awkward kind of glamour.

Wrinkled materials, soft hairy jersey’s and light technical pvc’s that are easy to travel with explain the comfort side of this collection, while sparkle sequent tule, fluffy fake fur and high quality wool define the more feminine side.

The reinterpretation of expected, menswear elements are also very important this season. Zippers for example that can reveal subtle skin parts are placed accidentally and pockets are integrated in closings. Typical men’s suit check patterns are taking out of their usual context and reworked into draped tops and dresses.

Denim, being a fundamental aspect in every collection, show’s itself in a more solid and dark way with a touch of ‘no nonsense’ humor regarding the placed prints, that come back in other pieces as well.

The Léo woman shows many of her different sides and has the attitude to mix them all up into an intelligent and interesting total look, underlining her confidence.

The color palette embodies the energy of being a frequent traveller and runs from hues of pastel lilac and soft dark blue to bright orange and safety bold yellow, to finally be balanced out with black and white touches.

SS 2017 © LéoMILAN FASHION WEEK WHITE

WWW.MOUTTONCOLLET.COM

Chic, punk, graphic. These three words perfectly describe the mood of Vibrations, the name of the new fall winter collection by Matthieu Moutton and Nicolas Collet.

Perfectly in line with the brand’s DNA, this new story celebrates the crystal, their favourite material, as well as rhinestone, pink agate and malachite, which is used for the very first time in the label’s history.

Light, but also quite raw and obviously contemporary, the key pieces if this new collection extol the power of craftsmanship. Inspired by the art of piercing, the designers have chosen to reinterpret this theme in a very elegant way adding some surrealist, psychedelic and even oneiric accents. The ribbons made of silver, yellow and pink gold dance on the women’s skin creating a magic swirl. If this collection can be described as high fantasy, it clearly proves to be close to High Jewellery.

© MouttonCollet

MILAN FASHION WEEK WHITE

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WWW.MYELZA.COMWWW.ALZANGA.COM

The Alzanga brand was first created in 2014 to encompass a new collection of jewellery for boots, and was subsequently used for other accessories — primarily leather goods.

Since there is no overlap between the target consumers and shops, these leather goods have just recently been rebranded under the MyElza label, where they will continue to be developed.

All of the creations are from Elena Zanfir, a young Belgian designer and fashion enthusiast with an MBA in Luxury Management and Marketing awarded in Paris. She went on to hone her craft with Louis Vuitton and a number of other London designers.

In her work, the aesthetic codes that govern leather goods are reinterpreted in a harmonious alliance of form and function. MyElza collections are characterised by bold associations of exclusive high-end leathers that boast soft and sophisticated textures.

Most of her handbags and accessories have a different leather on either side, making it possible to wear them inside-out to accompany different outfits or suit the wearer’s fancy.

The leathers are carefully selected in European tanneries, and all of the MyElza range of products is entirely produced by artisans in Portugal and Italy.

© Alzanga

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WWW.PASSERIN-NONPAREIL.COM

Three years after the launch of their label in 2014, Adrian Cruz Chavez, Carolina Jimenez and Francesa Neri — three architects respectively from Mexico, Colombia and Italy — have decided to extend their products’ range while bringing their brand’s image to the next level.

Recently, its name has been simplified: Passerin-nonpareil, a colourful exotic bird, becoming Passerin. This new clean identity goes hand in hand with Passerin’s main focuses: quality and creativity.

Inspired by architecture, the designs (three per collection offered in different shades) are printed on Italian calf leather according to a very sophisticated digital technique.

In addition to these architectural details, the designers have also started to work on more graphic kinds of patterns, as well as on new propositions based on their monogram.

These luxury accessories — clutches, but also tote bags, back bags, as well as smaller items (wallets, card holder, etc.) — are now sold in 14 different countries.

Summer 2017 © PasserinPERSONALISED COACHING