Fashion Feature portraying the Belgian goods House
Founded in 1829 by Charles Delvaux, the eponymous brand is now one of the oldest luxury leather goods Houses in the world. In 1883, the House became a warrant holder to the Court of Belgium and started to diversify its goods from luggage pieces to handbags. In 1993, Franck Schwennicke took over the House and introduced a new dynamic that challenged the sector’s traditions. In 1994, François Schwennicke, Franz and Solange’s eldest son, took the helm of the House and was joined by Christian Salt in 2007. In 2011, mainly the investment fund "First Heritage Brands" repurchased the House. Marco Probst is the current CEO.
Historically, Delvaux continues to evolve and experiment with materials, playing with its values and heritage. For its SS14 collection, Delvaux was inspired by Miami’s landscapes and offers a feminine, sexy and playful collection which is focused on strong shades, clean lines and contrasting textures. Miami elements such as the mirror effect of the sea and water are found throughout the collection. The lines are clean and graphic, referencing the city's skyline and Art Deco buildings. The sorbet shades remind deluxe 1950s cars. Nude colors and skin effects are important this season, adding a sense of elegance and minimal sophistication to the line.
Since few years Delvaux is developing its corners abroad: Barneys in New York, 10 Corso Como in Milan, Dover Street Market and Selfridges in London. In France, the house presents its collection at Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché since last season. These two recent openings marked a turning point in the development of the House emphasizing its international expansion with this fall and early 2014 new store openings in Doha, Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong.
How would you describe the brand universe?
Delvaux: Nous sommes la plus ancienne maroquinerie de luxe dans le monde (1829). Nous sommes basé en Belgique, notre univers est celui de l’artisanat de luxe, de l’élégance discrète, de la transmission de ces valeurs de génération en génération, tout comme nos sacs qui se transmettent de génération en génération…
What were the main sources of inspiration for the SS14 collection?
Delvaux: Inspirée par le paysage saisissant de Miami, ses magnifiques couchers de soleil et ses plages de sable fin, la collection printemps-Eté 2014 est féminine, sexy et ludique. Reflets et traitements moirés sont essentiels cette saison, rappelant la beauté de l'océan et l'effet miroir de l'eau. Les lignes sont nettes et graphiques, faisant penser à l'horizon de la ville et ses bâtiments Art déco. Des couleurs sorbet évoquent les voitures de luxe des années 50, tandis que les cuirs exotiques sont traités et finis de manière inhabituelle, capturant des nuances légères et subtiles.
Who is the Delvaux customer?
Delvaux: A toutes les personnes qui aiment la qualité, le beau, l’intemporalité…
What are the future plans for the brand?
Delvaux: Développer la Maison à l’échelle internationale, tout en conservant nos valeurs et la qualité de nos produits. Nous venons d’ouvrir une boutique à Séoul, nous ouvrirons à Doha dans quelques semaines et en 2014 nous prévoyons des ouvertures à Paris, Tokyo et Hong Kong.
For further information, consult the mini-site of Delvaux on modemonline.com
Interview by Cecilia Musmeci © Modemonline
