When looking for a luxurious fashion designer in the Benelux region, I came across Edouard Vermeulen. The thing that strikes you when you see one of his massive creations is they love their fabric-- they incorporates layer upon layer of sumptuous materials in every design.
Natan is one of the truest definitions of Couture I’ve come across in Belgium, whose designs could stand proudly against any Parisian house. Started in the 1930’s, Natan was taken over by Edouard Vermeulen in 1983, and since then their ‘haute couture’ collection has redefined Belgian opulence. They also have a ready-to-wear collection, but their signature of sumptuousness is embodied in their upscale version that is so ‘haute’ it should really have its own accent.
Natan’s couture collection can be found at their flagship store located in Brussels, Belgium, while their Pret a porter collection is sprinkled through out Belgium and Paris. More information is available at www.natan.be.
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Stori’s Spring/Summer 2007 collection is a journey through subliminal luxury. Not as overstated as other luxury accessories company’s-- no gaudy logos that you can see from miles away-- Stori’s luxury is in the details. New skins like fish and kangaroo, accents like mother of pearl and resin detail-- all cooked up to give you quirky and surprising, multi-functional luxury. And if you think all of that is a mouthful, wait until you see the intricate thought process that takes a well made bag, from the depths of a designer's subconscious, into any diva’s reality. More information on Stori can be found on their website at www.storisac.com.
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Irregular choice adds a little decadence to their fall 2006 collection. This company prides itself on breaking the mold of trendy and traditional footwear. They describe their style as “a cornucopia far removed from the main fashion pack” and have continued their tradition with a luxurious twist. The sweetest piece in this collection is “ Fireworks”, it’s like dark chocolate, and it’s an acquired taste. This shoe has a hand carved wedge heel with suede and leather trim and topped off with a bowtie. But once you acquire the taste for it, it lasts a lifetime. For more information check them out at www.irregularchoice.com.
Akhira
What do you get when you take the Technicolor of the wizard of oz add the computer craze of the 80’s and add a pinch of the digital age of the new millennium? Depends, if you are talking cosmetics, then you are talking Zing by Zing. Although the name is repetitive the artist named Zing originally from Singapore made his move to Hong Kong and created a ruckus. His portfolio includes a handful of celebrities from Asia, but his work was represented in Singapore’s showcase in London.
What can we take from his unique style? Creativity, levity and throwing your make-up style book out of the window. He uses reds where most don’t and could care less about matching complexions. Instead he uses the face as a canvas and features as parts of his palette. I am not sure how to export him to a town near you , but I am pretty sure with a little bit of creativity you will think of something.
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