6 emerging Belgian brands already adopted by stars
Leo By Leo
In early 2020, when she was in Paris as part of Haute Couture Fashion Week, Bella Hadid was seen on the streets dressed in snake print pants in a soft orange color. Matched with white sneakers, the garment of the Nineties accents was the flagship of her look, signed by the rising Belgian label Leo By Leo. A month later, during New York Fashion Week, Bella again opted for the brand, adopting jeans dotted with dragon prints. Edgy creations is the signature of the brand, led by Leonneke Derksen, graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Joëlle Laederach and Matthias Medaer. Together, they unveil a modern wardrobe borrowing trends from the 90s or 2000s, without ever falling into melancholy.
Suspicious Antwerp
From Kylie Jenner to Gigi Hadid via Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse… The most famous cool babes on the planet have all adopted the Belgian streetwear brand SuspiciouS Antwerp. Only two and a half years after its launch, the label already accounts for no less than 5 million euros in turnover. At its head? Two Antwerpers not really predestined to get into fashion: Philip Libert, who interrupted his studies in economics to focus on his clothing brand, and Frederick Janssens, who holds degrees in commercial science and marketing management. The recipe for their success? Bet on the feeling of rarity with "drops" in ultra limited edition via an online store open a few days a month, as the genius of the genre already did at the time: Supreme. A winning strategy, since the Antwerp brand is today carried by the most prominent celebrities.
D'Heygere
As she posed naked on Instagram to announce the release of her first visual autobiography, Rihanna caused a sensation last October, betting only on a pair of sunglasses and, above all, earrings signed by a Belgian designer. The twist? Her creoles have been diverted in a flowerpot fashion, the signature of Stéphanie D'Heygere. A 34-year-old courtesan who graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, the designer notably worked in the studios of the best fashion houses, signing jewelry from Maison Margiela, Dior and Y/Project. Here's a proof of her talent: in 2018, the designer was one of the three finalists of ANDAM 2018, for the Prix Accessoires de Mode. Two years later, she boosts accessorizing the looks of the hottest girls in the fashion world.
Valentine Witmeur
Premium knits, made in Brussels, is the idea of Valentine Witmeur, which has already established itself for a few years in Belgium. Headlining its brand, sweaters with realistic glamor tinged with colors and spiked with volumes. All in one size, designed for all profiles, and falling right on all body shapes. Creations that soon attracted the most famous duo of sisters: Gigi and Bella Hadid, who quickly adopted their knits, retro cardigan or cocooning sweatshirt.
Tatjana Verstraeten
Naomi Campbell, Eva Longoria, Tina Kunakey or Juliette Binoche… Many celebrities have embraced the Belgian jeweler Tatiana Verstraeten. Still little known in Belgium, she nevertheless conquered the very closed world of haute couture in January 2019. A veritable new guard of Belgian fine jewelry, she has notably collaborated with the most prestigious names in fashion, including Maison Michel, Anthony Vaccarello, or Chanel where she has been designing jewelry and hair accessories since 2011. The designer now occupies a Studio with her name, located in Paris in a symbol of fine jewelry: Place Vendôme. Signature creation? Earrings finished with a shower of diamond fringes.
Valkiers Jewelry
Last August, Belgian influencer Sofie Valkiers launched her 18-karat gold jewelry brand called Valkiers Jewelery. Accumulating more than 490k subscribers on Instagram, the designer quickly hit the mark with her community, but also with her influential friends, the most powerful of all: Chiara Ferragni. In a Story shared with 17 million followers on Instagram last November, the business woman thus highlighted the "Antwerp Star" earring, which it is also possible to wear as a pendant.
